Life Insurance with Diabetes UK: Type 1, Type 2 and How to Get Cover

Why diabetes affects life insurance

Diabetes raises long-term mortality risk because poorly controlled blood glucose is associated with cardiovascular disease, kidney damage, nerve damage and other complications. Life underwriters assess that risk and price it into the premium, which is why an applicant with diabetes often pays more than someone of the same age without it.

The crucial point is that diabetes is insurable. Insurers very rarely refuse outright; instead they apply a loading that reflects how the condition affects life expectancy. A well-controlled case with no complications attracts a modest loading, while poor control or established complications attracts more.

Underwriting is also highly individual. Two people with the same diagnosis can receive very different terms depending on their control, complications, age and lifestyle, and different insurers weigh these factors differently. That variation is why shopping around, ideally through a specialist adviser, can produce meaningfully different prices.

Type 1 diabetes and underwriting

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition usually diagnosed earlier in life and managed with insulin. Because it is lifelong and insulin-dependent, underwriters generally view it as carrying a higher baseline risk than well-controlled Type 2, so loadings tend to be larger, although affordable cover is widely available.

The single most influential figure is your HbA1c, the marker of average blood glucose over recent months. Consistently good HbA1c readings signal strong control and support better terms. Insurers also look at how long you have had the condition, the frequency of any hypoglycaemic episodes and whether you have experienced complications affecting the eyes, kidneys, feet or heart.

Good engagement with care matters. Attending regular reviews, retinal screening and foot checks, keeping to your treatment plan and avoiding hospital admissions for diabetic emergencies all paint the picture of a well-managed condition. Recent normal test results provided at application can directly improve the assessment.

Type 2 diabetes and underwriting

Type 2 diabetes, more common and often diagnosed later, is managed through a spectrum from diet and lifestyle alone, to oral medication, to insulin in some cases. Where it is well controlled by diet or tablets with a healthy HbA1c and no complications, loadings are usually lower than for Type 1 and can be modest.

Underwriters look closely at associated risk factors that often accompany Type 2, including weight, blood pressure, cholesterol and smoking. Because these compound the cardiovascular risk, improving them can move the assessment more than the diabetes itself. A person managing Type 2 with good numbers and a healthy lifestyle may secure terms close to standard.

Progression matters too. Where Type 2 has advanced to insulin, or where complications have developed, the assessment moves closer to that for Type 1. As with Type 1, recent HbA1c results, a record of regular monitoring and evidence of lifestyle improvement all help.

Disclosing diabetes correctly

When you apply, answer every diabetes question fully: type, date of diagnosis, current treatment and medication, most recent HbA1c, any complications and any hospital admissions. Under the Consumer Insurance (Disclosure and Representations) Act 2012 you must take reasonable care not to misrepresent, and the questions are designed to capture exactly what the underwriter needs.

Failing to disclose accurately puts the eventual payout at risk. A careless misrepresentation leads to a proportionate remedy, while a deliberate or reckless one can let the insurer void the policy and decline the claim. Because life cover pays out after death, your family cannot fix an inaccurate application later, so accuracy now protects them then.

The insurer may seek a GP report or nurse screening to confirm your figures. Under the Access to Medical Reports Act 1988 you can see a report from a doctor responsible for your care before it is sent and ask for factual errors to be corrected. Keeping copies of your own recent results helps the process run smoothly.

Getting the best terms

Several practical steps help. Bringing your HbA1c into target range and keeping it stable is the strongest lever, since control is the factor underwriters weight most heavily. Stopping smoking has a large effect because smoker rates are much higher and smoking compounds diabetic cardiovascular risk.

Managing the wider picture, including weight, blood pressure and cholesterol, also moves terms, particularly for Type 2. Attending all your routine diabetes checks and addressing any early complications promptly demonstrates active management, which underwriters view favourably.

Because insurers underwrite diabetes so differently, using a specialist independent adviser who knows which providers are more competitive for diabetic applicants can be the difference between a heavy loading and a reasonable one. If an application is declined or you believe a disability has been treated unfairly, you can complain to the insurer and then, if unresolved, refer it free of charge to the Financial Ombudsman Service.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get life insurance if I have diabetes?

Yes. Both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are insurable, and insurers usually price the additional risk through a premium loading rather than refusing cover. Your control, complications and how long you have had the condition shape the price.

Is it harder to get cover with Type 1 than Type 2?

Generally Type 1 attracts larger loadings because it is lifelong and insulin-dependent, while well-controlled Type 2 managed by diet or tablets often costs less. Both remain widely insurable, and good control improves terms for either type.

What is HbA1c and why does it matter?

HbA1c measures your average blood glucose over recent months. It is the key marker underwriters use to gauge control, so consistently good readings support lower loadings and stronger evidence of a well-managed condition.

Do I have to tell the insurer about my diabetes?

Yes. You must answer the medical questions accurately under the Consumer Insurance (Disclosure and Representations) Act 2012. Failing to disclose your diabetes can lead to a reduced payout or, if deliberate, a voided policy and refused claim.

Will the insurer ask for medical evidence?

It may request a GP report or arrange nurse screening to confirm your HbA1c and check for complications. Under the Access to Medical Reports Act 1988 you can see a report from a doctor responsible for your care before it is sent.