Can I get life insurance with type 2 diabetes?

The answer is yes! It’s completely possible to obtain life insurance if you’re living with type 2 diabetes.

Many think that due to their condition they can’t take out life cover, however, this isn’t true.

Taking out life insurance is a simple and cost-effective way of protecting your loved ones.

But is it as easy to obtain life insurance with type 2 diabetes and how much will premiums be compared with standard life cover?

Using an FCA regulated broker service, such as Reassured, you can compare quotes from the UK's leading providers to secure the right policy at the best price.

Simply get in touch today for your free quotes.

Read on for our complete guide to securing life insurance as a type 2 diabetic…

Compare Life Insurance for Type 2 Diabetics »

Does type 2 diabetes affect life insurance?

Yes, it’s likely that your condition will have an affect on your ability to secure life insurance - but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible.

You may experience inflated premiums as a result of your condition, or in severe cases, you may be declined altogether.

As type 2 diabetes is easier to control than type 1 diabetes, insurers will need to see that you’re taking steps to manage your condition.

For example, if you’ve developed type 2 diabetes as a result of becoming overweight, it will work in your favour to show that you’re moving towards a healthier lifestyle.

You may want to consult your GP before you apply for life insurance to gather up to date information about your condition.

This will help to give the insurer the most accurate understanding of your condition.

Type 2 diabetes and life insurance

Having a condition, such as type 2 diabetes, highlights the need to have adequate life insurance in place to protect your loved ones if the worst were to happen.

Type 2 diabetes is predominantly caused by a lack of exercise, an unhealthy lifestyle and being overweight.

This can lead to additional health concerns such as a heart attack or other heart conditions.

If the worst were to happen, could your loves ones: 

  • Pay off the mortgage
  • Settle other large debts
  • Cover your funeral
  • Meet future living costs
  • Receive an inheritance

A pay out from a life insurance policy could cover all of these things, helping to give you peace of mind.

Due to the increased risk of high blood pressure, some cancers and raised cholesterol type 2 diabetes sufferers are likely to be charged higher monthly premiums.

While many insurers may decline your application if you have type 2 diabetes, there are a range of specialist insurers which will still offer cover.

Our dedicated impaired life team can save you time and money by doing the hard work on your behalf to find the most cost-effective solution.

They’ve helped to secure cover for 45% of applicants declined elsewhere.

Best life insurance for someone with type 2 diabetes

There are different life insurance policy types, all suited to protecting different aspects of your life. These are:

Which one is best for you will depend on how well it meets your needs.

But how are these cover options effected by type 2 diabetes?

Term-based life insurance

Securing term life insurance with type 2 diabetes is possible. However, it won’t be as simple as obtaining cover on standard terms.

With term life insurance, you’ll be covered for a specific period of time (the term) and if you pass away during the term your loved ones will receive a pay out.

Your cover will either be level (sum assured stays the same) or decreasing (sum assured reduces over the lifetime of your policy).

You’ll be required to provide medical information at the point of application in order for insurers to assess the level of risk you pose.

Due to this, your application may have to undergo manual underwriting or in some severe cases, you may be declined.


Whole of life insurance

A whole of life policy is a form of life assurance, as you’ll be covered for the rest of your life.

Due to this, your loved ones are guaranteed a pay out when you pass away (not if).

At the point of application you’ll need to provide medical information so insurers can mitigate the risk you’ll pose.

You’ll also be required to pay premiums for the rest of your life to keep your cover in place.

For these reasons it’s likely that whole of life insurance will be expensive for those with type 2 diabetes so it may not be the best option.


Over 50s plan

If you’re aged 50 – 85 and a UK resident with type 2 diabetes, you might want to consider an over 50s plan.

With an over 50s plan, you’ll be guaranteed acceptance, without having to share any medical information.

It’s important to be aware that to compensate for the unknown risk, many insurers add a waiting period to their over 50s policies.

This refers to the first 12 – 24 months of the policy where if you pass away due to natural causes, your loved ones won’t receive a pay out. However, the premiums that you’ve paid will be refunded.

You may also experience slightly higher premiums due to the unknown risk and your sum assured is likely to be capped (typically at £25,000).

If you’re hoping to secure cover without providing information about your diabetes, this is an ideal option.

Type 2 diabetes life insurance premiums

When calculating your monthly premium, insurers will take into consideration different aspects of your condition (as well as how you’re managing it).

Factors taken into consideration are:

  • Most recent HbA1c reading
  • Type of diabetes
  • Medication (metformin, insulin, diet)
  • Age of diagnosis
  • BMI

This, along with standard information such as your age, smoking status and medical history, will allow the insurer to calculate the level of risk you pose and how much you’ll pay for your premium.

In some cases, you may be asked to undergo a medical exam.

Some insurers reward good management of your condition with a reduction in premiums.

If you can prove you are taking steps to improve your condition (such as leading a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet) your premiums could be lowered.

You may want to keep a diary of everything you’re doing to help manage or improve your condition, such as logging exercise and keeping a food diary.

How much life insurance do you need?

Enter your financial commitments to understand the level of cover you require.

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£121,687 is the estimated average outstanding mortgage per household in the UK.

Our property is generally the largest financial commitment any of us will make.

Your life insurance should cover this significant debt should you no longer be around.
£
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According to Money Advice Service, full-time childcare in the UK now costs £242 a week.

The loss of a parent could result in the need for additional childcare whilst the surviving parent increases their hours to account for lost income.

Your life insurance cover should factor in this additional required outgoing.
£
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The average level of debt (minus a mortgage) in the UK is £15,385.

Factoring in any outstanding debts in your name when arranging life insurance ensures this burden is not passed to loved ones.
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You may wish to leave your loved ones an inheritance or lump sum gift upon your passing.

Factoring in the gift amount when arranging your cover will ensure the pay out amount will be sufficient to provide your loved ones with this selfless gesture.
£
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According to SunLife, the average cost of a UK funeral is now £4,417, whilst the total cost of dying is £9,493.

This is a 130% increase over the past 16 years and shows no signs of slowing down.

A significant cost which should be factored into the amount of life insurance you secure.
£
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If you are one of the 65% of the UK who are lucky enough to have savings, this could be used as protection if you were to pass away.

Any pay outs from existing life insurance policies and investments can also be used as financial protection for your loved ones if you were no longer around.

Factor this into your required cover amount.
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Your total cover estimate

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Let us find your best available quotes.

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Non-disclosure

It can be tempting to deny having type 2 diabetes when applying for life insurance in order to secure a lower premium.

However, if upon your passing it’s determined you knowingly suffered from type 2 diabetes when the policy was arranged, your cover will be deemed invalid and no pay out issued to your loved ones.

Can I get critical illness cover if I have type 2 diabetes?

Critical illness cover allows you to make an early claim on your policy if you’re diagnosed with a life-changing, but not terminal illness, that’s listed within your policy.

While critical illness cover is possible to obtain if you suffer from type 2 diabetes, it’s likely to contain some exclusions.

This means if you suffer certain illnesses (those associated with diabetes such as heart disease or stroke), you won’t be able to make a claim.

Insurers are more likely to offer critical illness cover to those with type 2 diabetes than type 1 diabetes as the condition is more manageable.

However, it’s likely the policy will need to undergo manual underwriting.

In some rare cases, you may be declined cover.

Diabetes isn’t typically covered by critical illness, so if you’re diagnosed during the term of your policy you won’t be able to make a claim.

Is type 2 diabetes a critical illness?

No, type 2 diabetes isn’t typically covered by critical illness.

So, if you’re diagnosed during the term of your policy you won’t be able to make a claim.

Terminal illness cover for type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is not a condition covered by terminal illness cover.

Terminal illness cover allows you to make an early claim on your policy if you’re diagnosed with a life-threatening illness and predicted to pass away within 12 months.

All term policies taken out through Reassured come with terminal illness cover as standard at no extra cost.

The difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes

While both conditions affect insulin levels within the blood, there are some slight differences.

Type 1 diabetes is a result of your genetic makeup, meaning you’ll be born with the condition, whereas type 2 happens as a result of your lifestyle.

Type 2 diabetes is typically caused by a poor diet and unhealthy lifestyle (being overweight).

As a result, type 2 diabetes is more manageable and can be controlled by keeping a healthy lifestyle.

Read our 2020 guide to securing life cover with type 1 diabetes »

What if I have previously been declined?

Even if you‘ve been declined for life insurance in the past, Reassured can help you to find cover.

There are still options available to you despite previous rejection.

We work with specialist insurers who provide life insurance to those who struggle to secure conventional cover.

Our impaired risk team have helped to secure cover for 45% of applicants who’ve been declined elsewhere.

Being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes during your policy

If you’re diagnosed with type 2 diabetes during your policy, there’s no need to inform your insurer.

As long as you were honest on your application and the condition was not pre-existing, then being diagnosed during the term won’t invalidate your policy.

If you pass away, due to a diabetes-related illness or not, your beneficiaries will still receive a pay out.

Type 2 diabetes statistics UK

  • 90% of people with diabetes have type 2 diabetes[1]
  • In the UK, 12.3 million people are at risk of type 2 diabetes
  • Obesity is responsible for an 80-85% risk in developing type 2 diabetes
  • The NHS spends £10 billion a year on diabetes, (10% of NHS budget)

Type 2 diabetes support

If you have type 2 diabetes the below links may help:

Life insurance quotes for type 2 diabetes

Securing life insurance with type 2 diabetes doesn’t have to be hard.

The easiest way to ensure you’re getting the right policy at the right price is to compare quotes.

By using an FCA registered broker service, such as Reassured, we can do this for you on your behalf - saving you time and money.

Our specialist team can find you cover, even if you’ve been declined before.

Why not get in touch for your free, no-obligation quotes?

Compare Life Insurance Quotes for Diabetics »

Sources:

[1] https://www.diabetes.org.uk/resources-s3/2019-02/1362B_Facts%20and%20stats%20Update%20Jan%202019_LOW%20RES_EXTERNAL.pdf

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