Can you get life insurance with diabetes?
Millions of Americans are living with diabetes. 37.3 million Americans, in fact — according to recent data from the CDC. That’s roughly 1 in 10 Americans, making diabetes one of the leading chronic health issues in our country.
If you are one of the many people living with diabetes in the United States, you probably already know that diabetes is a manageable long-term health condition. You can live a good life with diabetes, and many people do.
But what about life insurance?
If you’re wondering whether you can apply for life insurance after being diagnosed with diabetes, here’s what you need to know. In many cases, affordable term life insurance is available to people with diabetes. However, you may end up paying more for your life insurance policy than a person in so-called “excellent health.”
That said, there are still ways to lower your life insurance premium rates — especially if you take charge of both your health and your diabetes before you apply.
In this article:
Can a person with diabetes qualify for a term life insurance policy?
If you have diabetes, you may be curious about whether your health could affect your ability to choose a term life insurance policy. While life insurance underwriting decisions are based on many factors, many people with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes are easily able to qualify for affordable term life insurance.
That said, some people with diabetes may pay more in monthly life insurance premiums than people who do not have diabetes. These additional premium costs are generally minor, and should not make your life insurance policy overly expensive — especially if you choose a low-cost term life insurance policy such as the ones offered by Haven Life.
People with diabetes may not be eligible for life insurance policies that don’t require a medical exam, like the ones offered by Haven Simple. Because diabetes has the potential to affect your health in many different ways, you may be asked to take a brief medical exam as part of your life insurance policy application.
What does a person with diabetes need to know before they apply for life insurance?
Applying for life insurance with diabetes isn’t that different from the typical life insurance application process. Before you apply, consider shopping around for a few free life insurance quotes. That way, you’ll know which life insurance providers are likely to offer the best coverage at the most affordable rates.
Once you begin the application process, be honest about both your diabetes and your overall health. Lying on your life insurance application is never a good idea. And if you misrepresent your health or medical history when you take out your life insurance policy, your insurer could revoke the death benefit your loved ones might receive after your death.
After you submit your life insurance application, be prepared to pass a medical exam. This is part of the medical underwriting process, and helps insurers offer you the best possible policy for a person with your health conditions.
How can a person with diabetes save money on life insurance?
If you have any type of diabetes, you may pay slightly higher life insurance premiums than people who do not have diabetes. But there are steps you can take right now to save money on your life insurance policy.
First, keep in mind that managed diabetes is generally viewed more favorably by insurers than unmanaged diabetes. Talk to your doctor about how to best manage your condition and maintain good overall health. Many healthy living practices — including regular exercise, nutritious food, good sleep, and stress management — can help you both improve your health and manage your diabetes.
If you are a smoker, you can save money on your life insurance policy by quitting cigarettes and other products with nicotine. Not only will quitting smoking help you with your diabetes, but non-smokers nearly always pay lower life insurance rates than smokers. Make sure you wait at least one year after quitting before you apply for life insurance, or you may not be able to take advantage of the lower cost of life insurance that typically comes from non-smoker status.
That said, don’t wait too long to apply for life insurance because, in most cases, younger people pay lower life insurance premium rates than older people. And because term life insurance premiums are fixed for the length of the policy, applying while you’re young could help you lock in a low monthly premium rate for the next 10, 15, 20 or 30 years.
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What else do people with diabetes need to know about life insurance?
Diabetes may be a chronic illness, but it shouldn’t get in the way of living your life. Your diabetes also shouldn’t get in the way of your ability to care for your family. For many people, this includes making a plan to protect your loved ones in a worst-case scenario.
Life insurance is often part of that plan — which is why insurers like Haven Life want as many people as possible to take advantage of affordable term life insurance policies.
Including people with diabetes.
Our editorial policy
Haven Life is a customer-centric life insurance agency that’s backed and wholly owned by Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual). We believe navigating decisions about life insurance, your personal finances and overall wellness can be refreshingly simple.
Our editorial policy
Haven Life is a customer centric life insurance agency that’s backed and wholly owned by Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual). We believe navigating decisions about life insurance, your personal finances and overall wellness can be refreshingly simple.
Our content is created for educational purposes only. Haven Life does not endorse the companies, products, services or strategies discussed here, but we hope they can make your life a little less hard if they are a fit for your situation.
Haven Life is not authorized to give tax, legal or investment advice. This material is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for tax, legal, or investment advice. Individuals are encouraged to seed advice from their own tax or legal counsel.
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Our disclosures
Haven Term is a Term Life Insurance Policy (DTC and ICC17DTC in certain states, including NC) issued by Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual), Springfield, MA 01111-0001 and offered exclusively through Haven Life Insurance Agency, LLC. In NY, Haven Term is DTC-NY 1017. In CA, Haven Term is DTC-CA 042017. Haven Term Simplified is a Simplified Issue Term Life Insurance Policy (ICC19PCM-SI 0819 in certain states, including NC) issued by the C.M. Life Insurance Company, Enfield, CT 06082. Policy and rider form numbers and features may vary by state and may not be available in all states. Our Agency license number in California is OK71922 and in Arkansas 100139527.
MassMutual is rated by A.M. Best Company as A++ (Superior; Top category of 15). The rating is as of Aril 1, 2020 and is subject to change. MassMutual has received different ratings from other rating agencies.
Haven Life Plus (Plus) is the marketing name for the Plus rider, which is included as part of the Haven Term policy and offers access to additional services and benefits at no cost or at a discount. The rider is not available in every state and is subject to change at any time. Neither Haven Life nor MassMutual are responsible for the provision of the benefits and services made accessible under the Plus Rider, which are provided by third party vendors (partners). For more information about Haven Life Plus, please visit: https://havenlife.com/plus
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My experience with Haven Life has been nothing short of fantastic from start to finish. After working tirelessly with brokers and getting quotes that were complicated to understand online, I found Haven Life and I am very pleased that I did. Haven Life’s respectful and understandable approach to issuing something as important as life insurance and doing so in such a straightforward way is why I would recommend Haven Life to my loved ones and friends alike.
Excellent and very intuitive experience! Highly recommended!
Application was simple and received sizeable approval for term life insurance without a medical exam within 48 hours. Great follow up and easy process.
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Wanted to get this done for a while and this was the easiest experience I could find. I feel great knowing that there is some protection for my husband and likely dogs.
It was an easy process. The turnaround was also feasible.
