Banner Life is best for diabetics on rate competitiveness, customer service and coverage flexibility. The right insurer depends on your specific health profile and coverage needs. ome price more aggressively, others tailor underwriting more closely to diabetic applicants. The top picks by coverage need are:
Best Life Insurance for Diabetes in 2026
Banner Life, Nationwide and John Hancock offer some of the best life insurance for diabetes.
Find out if you're overpaying for life insurance below.
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Updated: May 19, 2026
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Key Takeaways
Banner Life offers the best overall life insurance for diabetics, with a MoneyGeek score of 4.5 out of 5. It ranks first for both term and no-exam term life policies.
Nationwide ranks first in customer experience, getting the highest rating for this category and a total MoneyGeek score of 4 out of 5.
John Hancock offers the best life insurance for diabetes management, with a program specifically designed for diabetics.
Best Life Insurance Companies for Diabetics
Banner Life | Overall | 4.5 | $42 (women) $54 (men) |
Nationwide | Customer Experience | 4 | $52 (women) $68 (men) |
John Hancock | Diabetes Program | 3.6 | $66 (women) $82 (men) |
Best Overall: Banner Life
Banner Life
MoneyGeek Rating
4.5/ 5
5/5Affordability
3.7/5Customer Experience
4.5/5Coverage Points
Average Monthly Cost
$42 (women); $54 (men)Based on average quotes for a 20-year term policy with $500,000 coverage for a 40-year-old nonsmoker with a poor health.Ages Supported
20-75Term Lengths
10-40 years
Best Customer Experience: Nationwide
Nationwide
MoneyGeek Rating
4.0/ 5
3.5/5Affordability
4.8/5Customer Experience
3.8/5Coverage Points
Average Monthly Cost
$52 (women); $68 (men)Based on average quotes for a 20-year term policy with $500,000 coverage for a 40-year-old nonsmoker with a poor health.Ages Supported
21-55Term Lengths
10-30 years
Best Diabetes Program: John Hancock
John Hancock
MoneyGeek Rating
3.6/ 5
3.2/5Affordability
3.7/5Customer Experience
4.5/5Coverage Points
Average Monthly Cost
$66 (women); $82 (men)Based on average quotes for a 20-year term policy with $500,000 coverage for a 40-year-old nonsmoker with a poor health.Ages Supported
18-80Term Lengths
10-30 years
Life Insurance for People with Diabetes: Buying Guide
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.
How to Find the Best Life Insurance
Getting the best life insurance as a diabetic takes more than applying to any company. Proper preparation and timing can save you hundreds of dollars in premiums.
These steps can improve your chances of finding favorable rates and terms, whether you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes.
- 1Manage Your Diabetes Before Applying
Get your A1C below 7.5%. Keep it there for six months. Insurers check A1C levels when they review applications. Six months of steady results proves you manage your diabetes daily.
- 2Research Diabetes-Friendly Insurers
Check how different companies treat diabetic applicants. Compare underwriting rules, policy options, financial strength and reputation. Then narrow your list.
- 3Find an Agent Who Knows Diabetes Underwriting
Pick an agent who understands how insurers evaluate diabetes. They'll steer you toward companies that accept your health profile.
- 4Apply When Your Numbers Are Steady
Submit your application during a stretch of stable blood sugar readings. Recent consistency matters more than old fluctuations.
- 5Gather Your Documents First
Collect your recent A1C results, current medications and doctor's notes before you apply. This speeds up the process.
- 6Look at All Coverage Options
Can't qualify for fully underwritten coverage? Try simplified issue or guaranteed issue plans. These require fewer health checks.
WHAT IS A1C?
A1C is a blood test that measures your average blood sugar (glucose) levels over the past two to three months. It's also called the hemoglobin A1C or HbA1c test.
This test measures the percentage of hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells, that has sugar attached.
A1C Ranges and What They Mean
- Below 5.7%: Normal (no diabetes)
- 5.7% to 6.4%: Prediabetes
- 6.5% or higher: Diabetes
Life insurance companies review A1C levels during underwriting because higher readings indicate less stable blood sugar control, which can lead to higher premiums.
Health Classification Requirements
Life insurance companies use a risk-based classification system to determine premiums.
Average Cost of Life Insurance for Diabetics
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 for nonsmokers with health risks, based on a $500,000 policy for 10-year, 20-year and 30-year terms.
20 | $26 (women) $33 (men) | $32 (women) $40 (men) | $51 (women) $66 (men) |
30 | $27 (women) $33 (men) | $34 (women) $42 (men) | $56 (women) $72 (men) |
40 | $38 (women) $46 (men) | $52 (women) $66 (men) | $90 (women) $118 (men) |
50 | $77 (women) $101 (men) | $114 (women) $150 (men) | $212 (women) $291 (men) |
60 | $176 (women) $254 (men) | $318 (women) $447 (men) | $583 (women) $1,019 (men) |
70 | $444 (women) $680 (men) | $954 (women) $1,321 (men) | $1,357 (women) $2,935 (men) |
Estimates based on MoneyGeek's analysis of sample profiles for educational purposes only. Your actual rates will vary based on your health profile, diabetes type and management, insurer underwriting guidelines, and other factors. These figures shouldn't be considered quotes or guarantees of available rates.
Factors Affecting Life Insurance Costs
Research and compare life insurance companies along with the factors they consider when reviewing diabetic applicants.
Age of Onset
The age when you received your diabetes diagnosis matters to insurers.
Type of Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is more common in the U.S. and insurers usually quote lower premiums for type 2 than type 1.
Treatment Plans
How well you manage your diabetes matters more than the specific treatment you use. Insurers review your control levels and medication adherence.
Family History
Insurers look at your parents' and siblings' health records. Deaths before age 60, diabetes in multiple family members or serious medical conditions can increase your rates.
Your Health
Your overall health habits and medical conditions beyond diabetes also determine what you'll pay for coverage.
Best Life Insurance Quotes for Diabetics
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.
Life Insurance Rates by Age, Gender and Coverage
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Ways to Get Cheap Life Insurance for Diabetics
If you have diabetes, there are several ways to lower the cost of your life insurance:
- Quitting smoking drops your premiums, but you must be tobacco-free for at least 12 months before insurers reclassify you as a nonsmoker.
- Wearable health trackers can qualify you for discounts at insurers that monitor member activity and reward measurable improvement.
- Consistent diabetes management limits complications over time, and fewer complications mean better ratings at renewal or when switching insurers.
Alternative Options to Traditional Life Insurance
- Group Life Insurance Through Your Employer: This means simplified underwriting, and most eligible employees are accepted. Coverage terms vary by employer and insurer.
- Guaranteed Issue Life Insurance: No health questions or medical exam required. Coverage runs from $2,000 to $25,000 with a two-year waiting period; if death occurs within those two years, the policy returns premiums plus interest. Best suited for diabetics with multiple complications.
- Final Expense Insurance: Covers funeral and end-of-life costs with coverage from $2,000 to $40,000. Simplified underwriting applies and policies are often issued within days.
Best Life Insurance for Diabetes Patients: Bottom Line
With 12% 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.
Diabetic Life Insurance: FAQ
Diabetics often encounter additional challenges when seeking approval for affordable life insurance.
Can you get life insurance if you have diabetes?
Yes. People with type 1 and type 2 diabetes can qualify for life insurance. Approval and rates depend on age at diagnosis, treatment plan, and how well you manage your condition.
Can people with type 2 diabetes buy a life insurance policy?
Yes. People with type 2 diabetes can buy life insurance. Insurers review your A1C levels, treatment stability and health history, with well-controlled cases often receiving more competitive rates.
Can people with type 1 diabetes buy a life insurance policy?
Yes. People with type 1 diabetes can get life insurance, but approval is more difficult than for type 2. Applicants with stable blood sugar control and good overall health have better chances at affordable coverage.
Does controlling your blood sugar (A1C) affect your life insurance rates?
Yes. A lower A1C shows better diabetes control, which can help you qualify for lower premiums. Higher A1C levels often lead to higher costs or possible policy denial.
What should you do if you're denied life insurance because of diabetes?
If denied, request a written explanation to find out the specific reason. Review your medical records and check for errors that may have caused the denial. Depending on this, you may try to appeal.
As an alternative, consider guaranteed-issue life insurance or companies that specialize in diabetic coverage. Improving diabetes management and reapplying later may also increase your approval chances.
What is the easiest policy type to get if you have diabetes?
Guaranteed-issue life insurance is the easiest option. It requires no health questions or medical exam, but coverage is capped at around $25,000, and premiums are higher than traditional policies.
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.Â
Coverage options make up the remaining 20%, since flexible term lengths and conversion features let you adjust protection as your health stabilizes or changes.
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.
Best Diabetic Life Insurance: Related Pages
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty (P&C) Insurance Producer in Connecticut, is MoneyGeek's resident insurance expert. He has spent nearly a decade analyzing the market, first at LendingTree and now at MoneyGeek, where he has produced original research on hundreds of carriers and millions of rates across auto, home, renters, health and life insurance.
He writes about economics and insurance on MoneyGeek so people can make coverage decisions with confidence. His insurance insights have been featured in The Washington Post, The New York Times and NPR, among other media outlets.
Like all MoneyGeek analysts, he draws on independent cost and consumer experience data, and no insurance company partnership influences his recommendations.
Fitzpatrick earned his degrees from Johns Hopkins University (M.A. Economics and International Relations) and Boston College (B.A.). He began his career in financial risk management at State Street. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!
Sources
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "National Diabetes Statistics Report." Accessed March 9, 2026.