Life Insurance for People With Diabetes: UK Guide
Published Updated
Can you get life insurance if you have diabetes? Yes, people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes can obtain life insurance in the UK. What an insurer offers will depend on your individual health, the details of your diabetes and the amount and length of cover you want. It may involve additional medical information, a higher premium or restrictions; there is no single answer that applies to every applicant.
If you have already been turned down, it does not necessarily mean every insurer will make the same decision. Different insurers assess risk differently, and a broker can help you understand the available routes. Diabetes UK recommends considering specialist brokers where appropriate.
How do life insurers assess diabetes?
Insurers normally look beyond the label of type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Their questions are designed to understand your health and any complications. Depending on the insurer and the information you provide, they may ask your GP for a report or request other medical evidence.
| Information they may ask for | Why it may matter |
|---|---|
| Type of diabetes and age at diagnosis | These help the insurer understand your medical history and how long you have had the condition. |
| Recent HbA1c results and medical reviews | These can indicate your recent blood glucose management and whether more information is needed. |
| Medication and treatment | The insurer may ask about tablets, insulin, pumps or other treatment as part of its assessment. |
| Complications and other conditions | Eye, kidney, nerve and cardiovascular complications can affect underwriting and the terms available. |
| General health and lifestyle | Age, weight, smoking, occupation and the cover requested can also affect eligibility or pricing. |
Different providers have different underwriting rules. No single HbA1c figure can guarantee acceptance or a particular price across the market. Follow the targets set by your own healthcare team rather than trying to meet an insurance-related number. Diabetes UK explains how HbA1c and complications can affect applications.
Can you get life insurance with type 1 diabetes?
Yes, but insurers may ask for a fuller medical history, including recent reviews, treatment and any related complications. Some applicants will need a GP report or additional checks. Others may be offered cover on particular terms or find that an individual provider cannot offer the requested protection.
That does not make a policy universally unavailable. If the first insurer cannot proceed, it can be worth exploring other providers and reviewing what evidence would help the next application. Legal & General’s diabetes underwriting guide gives an example of the information a major UK insurer may request.
What about type 2 diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes is also assessed individually. Some applications can be straightforward, especially where the insurer is satisfied with the available health information and there are no significant related complications. Others require further evidence or may involve additional premiums or exclusions.
Neither a diagnosis nor a particular treatment automatically determines whether life insurance is possible. The decision depends on the underwriting rules and the complete application.
Do you need a medical examination?
Not always. Insurers often begin with questions about your health, treatment and medical history. Some applications can be assessed from those answers; others need a GP report, nurse screening, blood test or additional information. A request for more information is not the same as a rejection.
Our guide to life insurance without a medical examination explains the distinction between answering health questions and attending a medical appointment.
Will life insurance cost more if you have diabetes?
It can. Some insurers may charge more to reflect the health risks they assess, and others may not be able to offer particular products. The result depends on your individual situation, the type and amount of cover, age, smoking status, policy term and the insurer’s underwriting approach.
Be cautious about articles offering a supposedly typical percentage loading or a guaranteed discount for a specific HbA1c result. Those figures cannot be assumed to apply to your policy. For general pricing factors, see our life insurance costs guide.
Should you apply to several insurers at once?
Before making multiple applications, it can be sensible to speak with a broker about which insurers may be most appropriate for the circumstances you disclose. The process can involve detailed health questions and sometimes medical reports. If a provider has already declined or postponed an application, keep the details so they can be explained accurately on future applications.
What cover should you compare?
Start with the reason for buying protection. Level term life insurance can help provide a fixed benefit for a set period, while decreasing term cover is often considered for repayment mortgages. Different structures may be appropriate for family expenses, debts or other financial commitments.
Critical illness cover is a separate product and requires close attention to the conditions and definitions covered; acceptance for critical illness may be more restrictive for some applicants with diabetes. Do not assume a life insurance quote automatically includes cover for diabetic complications.
What information should you prepare?
Having the dates of diagnosis and recent diabetic reviews, treatment details, your most recent HbA1c information (if known), and details of any complications may help an adviser understand your situation. You do not need to send medical records in an ordinary website enquiry; our team can explain any information insurers require through an appropriate process.
Ask about life insurance with diabetes
Discount Life Cover works through My Key Finance Ltd, an FCA-authorised protection broker. Our advisers can discuss the cover you want and explain possible underwriting routes from a wide panel of UK insurers without promising acceptance or any particular rate.
Contact our advisers about life insurance and diabetes. If your circumstances are straightforward and you already know the cover and term required, you can also start a quotation enquiry, making sure any insurer’s subsequent health questions are answered fully and accurately.
Updated October 2026. This is general insurance information, not medical or personal financial advice. Health management decisions should be made with your healthcare team. My Key Finance Ltd FCA FRN 628996.
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