Best Life Insurance for Diabetes in 2026

Mutual of Omaha and John Hancock offer the best life insurance for type 1 diabetics and type 2 diabetics, respectively. The best provider for you depends on your needs and circumstances. Some companies offer lower rates, while others have more personalized offers for people with diabetes. Here are the best life insurance companies for different coverage needs:

Diabetes is a chronic condition that can increase the risk of several health complications, such as heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease. You'll want to find a life insurance company that understands the health risks associated with diabetes and offers coverage that meets your needs. This guide covers factors to consider, coverage add-ons and average costs. We'll help you choose a policy that fits your needs.

These steps can improve your chances of finding favorable rates and terms, whether you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes or have been managing it for many years.

Life insurance companies use a risk-based classification system to determine premiums.

Preferred Plus (Super Preferred)
This rating gives the lowest premiums, but it is extremely rare for diabetics to qualify. Many insurers do not include diabetics in this tier at all. Some may consider type 2 applicants diagnosed after age 40 who have excellent control, no complications and an A1C consistently under 7.0.

Preferred
This tier is uncommon for insulin users, but some well-controlled type 2 diabetics on oral medication may qualify. Underwriting often looks for:

• An A1C level between 7.0 and 8.0
• No documented diabetes-related complications
• A consistent treatment plan supported by regular medical checkups

Standard Plus
This rating often applies to applicants with moderate diabetes control and no serious complications. Common criteria include:

• An A1C level up to around 8.5
• No clear progression of the condition over time
• Minor complications may still be considered, depending on the insurer

Standard
This rating often serves as the starting point for applicants with diabetes. Insurers may consider:

• An A1C level up to 9.0
• Moderate complications, such as early-stage neuropathy
• A past history of inconsistent control, as long as the current condition is stable

Table Ratings (Substandard)
Insurers may apply table ratings when diabetes control is limited or complications are more advanced. Each table level increases the base premium by 25%. For example, Table 2 adds 50%. Common reasons include:

• An A1C level above 9.0
• Insulin use with an unstable management history
• Serious complications or recent hospital stays

Life insurance riders can add valuable benefits to your diabetic life insurance policy. Available riders vary by company and policy type.

Explore all rider options, but pay particular attention to living benefits. These benefits, also called accelerated benefit riders, allow you to withdraw money from the death benefit while still alive. If you’re diagnosed with a chronic, critical or terminal illness, you can access the death benefit and use the money in any way you choose.

A guaranteed-insurability rider is another option to consider. This rider lets you buy more life insurance at specific ages or life events, like getting married or having a baby. Your health isn’t a factor, so you can increase your insurance even if your health has worsened since you took out the life insurance policy.

The waiver of premium for disability is another valuable rider. With this rider, the insurer pays your premiums once you meet the qualifying criteria, usually after a waiting period. If you become disabled, this rider can prevent your life insurance from lapsing if you can't afford the premiums.

The cost of life insurance for people with diabetes varies by company, coverage amount, age and overall health. To understand how much you might pay for life insurance for diabetics, MoneyGeek gathered several term life insurance quotes to provide a range of expected premiums.

The cost information below is a monthly estimate generated for nonsmokers with type 2 diabetes with a $250,000 and $500,000 policy.

*Estimates based on sample profiles. Your rates may vary based on your specific health profile, state and insurer underwriting.

Rates vary because life insurance providers weigh cost factors differently. Comparing quotes from multiple companies can help when looking for the best life insurance policy for diabetics. Use our life insurance rate calculator below to get accurate estimates based on your needs.

If you have diabetes, there are several ways to lower the cost of your life insurance:

• If you smoke, quitting can bring your rates down, but you must stay tobacco-free for at least 12 months to qualify for nonsmoker pricing.
• Use health monitoring tools, such as wearable devices that track activity and support healthy habits. Some insurers offer discounts when you improve your health and allow them to monitor your progress.
• Maintain steady diabetes management and treatment to keep your condition under control and limit future complications. Better long-term stability can help you qualify for lower rates.

Getting denied for life insurance because of diabetes is frustrating, but you have options for financial protection.

1. Ask for a written explanation. Insurers are often required to outline why the application was denied and note the medical factors involved.
2. Check your medical records for mistakes or outdated details. Incorrect A1C results, medication lists or complication histories can affect your application unfairly.
3. Clarify the exact reasons for the denial. Common issues include A1C levels above 9%, multiple diabetes-related complications, poor medication adherence or recent hospitalizations.

• Group Life Insurance Through Your Employer: This option uses simplified underwriting and generally accepts eligible employees, though terms vary by employer and insurer.

• Guaranteed Issue Life Insurance: This type of policy doesn't require health questions or a medical exam. Coverage usually ranges from $2,000 to $25,000 and includes a two-year waiting period before full benefits apply. If death occurs within the first two years, the policy returns premiums plus interest. It’s best for diabetics with multiple complications.

  Also read: Best Guaranteed Acceptance Life Insurance Companies

• Final Expense Insurance: These policies are meant to cover funeral and end-of-life costs. They offer modest coverage, usually between $2,000 and $40,000 and rely on simplified underwriting. They are easier to qualify for and can often be issued within a few days.

  Also read: Best Burial & Final Expense Insurance Companies

With 11.6% of Americans living with diabetes, finding the right life insurance for diabetics can be challenging, but coverage is available. Life insurance companies assess various factors, such as the severity of your condition, the type of diabetes and your treatment plan, to determine if you qualify for coverage.

We've analyzed thousands of life insurance quotes to help you find the best coverage for people with diabetes.

Diabetics often encounter additional challenges when seeking approval for affordable life insurance.

We evaluated major carriers using a scoring system built around what matters most when you're managing blood sugar levels while protecting your family's financial future: competitive rates despite your diagnosis, straightforward application processes and policy options that accommodate your health needs.

Affordability drives 50% of our ratings because diabetes often triggers higher premiums or even denials at companies using outdated underwriting. Customer experience accounts for 30%. You need insurers who process diabetes-related medical records efficiently and communicate clearly about approval decisions. 

Coverage options make up the remaining 20%, since flexible term lengths and conversion features let you adjust protection as your health stabilizes or changes.

We pulled complaint data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) to flag companies with poor claim-handling records, checked AM Best financial strength ratings to verify insurers can pay death benefits decades from now and reviewed BBB ratings plus J.D. Power satisfaction scores for real customer feedback. 

Direct research with each company confirmed their specific underwriting guidelines for diabetes, whether they accept applicants with A1C levels above 7%, require insulin pump documentation or offer accelerated underwriting despite your condition.

Our rate analysis used a 40-year-old non-smoker at 5'9" and 160 pounds for men or 5'4" and 120 pounds for women, with a poor health rating that reflects diabetes complications like neuropathy or retinopathy. This profile reveals which companies price coverage fairly when your medical history includes diabetes management challenges, not just well-controlled cases that qualify for standard rates.