Life Insurance · UK Guide 2026

Life insurance for diabetics

A plain-English guide for people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes who want life insurance in the UK in 2026: whether you can get cover, how underwriting works, what HbA1c control and complications mean for your premium, and why honest disclosure matters.

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Quick answer

Can diabetics get life insurance?

Yes, in most cases: people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes can usually get life insurance in the UK, though terms vary by insurer.
It is underwritten on your control: insurers look at your HbA1c, how long you have had diabetes, your treatment and any complications.
Premiums may be loaded: well-controlled diabetes may attract standard or modestly higher terms; poorer control or complications can mean a larger loading.
Specialists exist: some insurers and brokers specialise in cover for diabetics and can often place cover others decline.

Underwriting factors

How diabetes affects life insurance underwriting

Factor	What insurers consider	Likely effect on terms
Type of diabetes	Type 1 (usually diagnosed younger, insulin-dependent) vs type 2 (often later onset, sometimes diet or tablet controlled)	Type 1 is often loaded more than well-controlled type 2, but both are commonly insurable
Diabetes control (HbA1c)	Recent HbA1c readings and how stable your control has been over time	Good, stable control tends toward standard or modestly loaded terms; high or erratic readings increase loadings
Complications	Eye, kidney, nerve, heart or circulation problems linked to diabetes	Complications can raise premiums or, in some cases, lead to a decline with a given insurer
Disclosure	Full, accurate answers about your condition, treatment and lifestyle	Honest disclosure keeps cover valid; non-disclosure can mean a claim is reduced or refused
Overall terms	How the above combine for your application	Outcomes range from standard terms to a percentage loading on the premium, depending on the full picture

Indicative only — how diabetes is assessed varies between insurers and depends on your individual medical history. Not a quote.

How it works

Type 1 vs type 2, control and complications

When you apply, an insurer will ask about your diabetes in detail: the type, when you were diagnosed, your treatment (diet, tablets or insulin), recent HbA1c readings and whether you have any complications. They may ask for a GP report. Well-controlled diabetes with no complications is viewed more favourably than poorly controlled diabetes or a history of related problems, and the difference is reflected in your premium rather than an automatic refusal.

Two applicants with diabetes can be offered very different terms, which is why comparing insurers matters. Some companies are more comfortable with diabetes than others, and specialist insurers and brokers exist specifically to place cover for people with conditions like diabetes. For how diabetes-related time off work is handled separately, see income protection, and browse the full life insurance hub for related guides.

Cost

What cover costs for diabetics in general terms

There is no single price. As with any life insurance, your premium is built from your age, the cover amount, the term and your health. For diabetics, the key driver is how well your condition is managed: stable control and no complications keep premiums closest to standard rates, while poorer control or complications add a loading — an increase expressed as a percentage of the standard premium. Term cover is generally far cheaper than whole-of-life. Because outcomes vary so much between insurers, getting more than one quote is especially worthwhile if you have diabetes.

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Disclosure

Why honest disclosure matters

It is essential to answer every health question fully and accurately. If you leave out or understate your diabetes, treatment or complications, the insurer may reduce or refuse a claim later, which defeats the purpose of having cover. Disclosing your diabetes does not usually mean you cannot get insured — it means the insurer can offer terms that genuinely hold up at claim time. If you are unsure how to present your medical history, a specialist broker can help you apply to the most suitable insurer. Explore the life insurance hub for guides by age, health and cover type.

Common questions

Life insurance for diabetics: FAQs

Can I get life insurance if I have diabetes?

In most cases, yes. People with type 1 and type 2 diabetes can usually get life insurance in the UK. The terms depend on your control, treatment and any complications, and some insurers are more comfortable with diabetes than others, so comparing quotes is worthwhile.

Is life insurance more expensive for diabetics?

It can be. Well-controlled diabetes with no complications may attract standard or only modestly higher terms, while poorer control or complications can lead to a loading on the premium. The exact effect varies between insurers and depends on your individual medical history.

What is the difference between type 1 and type 2 for cover?

Both types are commonly insurable. Type 1 is usually diagnosed younger and is insulin-dependent, and is often loaded more than well-controlled type 2, which can sometimes be managed by diet or tablets. In every case the insurer looks at your actual control and complications, not just the label.

How does HbA1c affect my premium?

Insurers use recent HbA1c readings as a measure of how well your diabetes is controlled. Good, stable readings tend toward standard or modestly loaded terms, while high or erratic readings can increase the loading applied to your premium.

Do I have to tell the insurer about my diabetes?

Yes. You must disclose your diabetes, treatment and any complications fully and accurately. Non-disclosure can lead to a claim being reduced or refused. Honest disclosure lets the insurer offer terms that will actually pay out when needed.

Can I get cover if I have diabetes complications?

Often yes, though complications such as eye, kidney, nerve or heart problems can raise premiums or lead a particular insurer to decline. A specialist insurer or broker may be able to place cover that a mainstream insurer would not, so it is worth exploring more than one route.

Should I use a specialist insurer for diabetes?

It can help. Some insurers and brokers specialise in cover for people with diabetes and other conditions, and can often arrange cover, or better terms, where a general insurer might decline or load heavily. Comparing options is the practical way to find the most suitable terms.

Information only — not medical or financial advice. My Insurance Expert is not an FCA-authorised intermediary and does not arrange or sell policies. Specialist insurers and brokers cater for people with diabetes. Last updated: 2026-06-13

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