Life insurance for diabetics
Are you one of the 1.3 million Australians living with diabetes? If so, you might be wondering, “Can diabetics get life insurance?”.
The good news is that it is possible to secure life insurance as a diabetic. However, living with type 1 or type 2 diabetes means that you may pose additional risks to insurers, which can result in some insurers adjusting the premiums, benefits and exclusions of your policy.
Keep reading to discover how diabetes could impact your life insurance eligibility and the costs of cover to help you make an informed decision about which policy is right for you.
Can you get life insurance if you have diabetes?
Yes, securing life insurance as a diabetic is possible.
Life insurance is designed to protect your family’s financial future by insuring your most precious asset: your own life. Depending on the policy and the insurer you select, you can secure cover in the event of your death or diagnosis with a terminal illness. Plus, many insurers offer optional add-ons (such as serious illness insurance and children’s insurance) to tailor your cover to your unique personal needs and circumstances.
Being diagnosed with type 1 or type 2 diabetes means that you’re living with a serious and chronic health condition that needs to be proactively managed for the rest of your life. While this condition may not stop you from being eligible for life insurance altogether, it can have an impact on the cost of your premiums and the terms and conditions that apply to your cover.
How diabetes affects life insurance eligibility
Each type of diabetes is treated differently in the eyes of insurers, meaning it’s important to learn about how your specific diagnosis might change your life insurance eligibility.
Life insurance for type 1 diabetics
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition that impacts the insulin-producing cells in your pancreas. According to Diabetes Australia, roughly 10% of diabetics are living with type 1 diabetes, and is one of the most common chronic childhood health conditions.
Living with type 1 diabetes means managing this condition using lifeline insulin therapy, typically through regular insulin injections and a blood glucose monitor to measure glucose levels.
When it comes to life insurance for individuals with type 1 diabetes, the key to eligibility is demonstrating that your condition is well-managed and under control. With a clearly documented treatment plan in place and regular insulin therapy used, you’ll be in the best position to choose from a wide range of life insurers and policy options.
Life insurance for type 2 diabetics
Type 2 diabetes is much more common, accounting for up to 90% of all diabetes cases. Typically, this condition develops over time as insulin resistance builds, leading to high blood sugar levels. Lifestyle factors (such as a lack of physical activity and poor diet) can also increase the risk of type 2 diabetes.
Managing type 2 diabetes involves a combination of lifestyle modifications and medication. In fact, Diabetes Australia indicates that it is possible for some people to achieve type 2 diabetes remission, which they qualify as “an HbA1c of under 6.5% (48mmol/mol) for at least three months without the need for glucose-lowering medications.”
For type 2 diabetics, eligibility for life insurance is again influenced by how proactively the condition is managed. With clear lifestyle modifications in place and a well-documented medication treatment plan, it’s possible for diabetics with this condition to be eligible for life insurance.
What kind of life insurance can diabetics get?
While every insurer will have different eligibility criteria, being diagnosed and living with diabetes should not prevent you from taking out a life insurance policy.
For example, Real Insurance offers a wide range of life insurance products and optional add-ons that don’t require lengthy doctor’s appointments or uncomfortable blood tests – meaning you can apply over the phone by answering a range of health and lifestyle questions.
Below is a snapshot of the types of life insurance that you can apply for as a diabetic with Real Insurance:
- Real Life Insurance: Looking for life insurance that doesn’t come with an expiry date? Real Life Insurance is designed to insure you for life, offering cover from $100,000 up to $2 million depending on your circumstances. By securing this type of life insurance early, you can rest assured knowing that your loved ones will be taken care of even after you’re gone.
- Real Term Life Insurance: Looking for a fixed-term policy with a guaranteed payout once your cover expires? As the name suggests, Real Term Life insurance expires after 20 years or when you turn 85, whatever comes first. Plus, it gives you the assurance that your loved ones will depending on your level of cover receive from $10,000 up to $100,000 if you pass away or are diagnosed with a terminal illness diagnosis.
- Real Life Cover for SMSF: Are you using a Self-Managed Super Fund? With Real Life Cover for SMSF, you may be able to pay your life insurance premiums from your SMSF (rather than your post-tax income). Some of the benefits of this policy include up to $2 million in cover (depending on your age), with 100% of the benefit paid in advance if you’re diagnosed with a Terminal Illness with less than 24 months to live. Plus, your contributions may be tax-deductible.
Plus, Real Life Insurance comes with a range of optional cover products you can add-on to your policy, including:
- Real Serious Illness Insurance (optional cover): If you are the main breadwinner for your household, this extra layer of optional cover may help to ease the financial burden with a lump sum cash payment if you suffer a serious illness such as a stroke, heart attack, or certain cancers.
- Real Total & Permanent Disability (TPD) Insurance (optional cover): If you become permanently disabled and can’t work, covering the costs of treatment and rehabilitation can be challenging, both physically and financially. With this optional cover to your Real Life Insurance policy, you’ll be paid a lump sum cash payment to help pay for whatever you need.
- Real Children’s Insurance (optional cover): Want to ensure your family is financially secure, if your child gets sick or injured or passes away? It may be worth adding optional Children’s Insurance to your Real Life Insurance policy to help with any immediate expenses that come up during such a difficult time. You can choose a benefit amount from $20,000 up to $50,000 for each child insured.
Does life insurance cost more for people living with diabetes?
Living with diabetes can impact the cost of your life insurance premiums. Depending on the insurer and their underwriting processes, being diagnosed with a chronic condition (like diabetes) could increase the cost of premiums as there is a higher level or risk to them.
Factors that can influence life insurance costs for people with diabetes
| Factor | Considerations |
| Type of diabetes | Type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes require different types of treatment. Typically, type 2 diabetes can be easier to control with lifestyle changes and medications. Insurers will likely need to see that you have a clear treatment plan in place to proactively manage and keep your condition under control. |
| Age of diagnosis | The earlier you receive a diagnosis, the longer you may be exposed to potential health complications, which can increase your risk of having health complications if they are managed adequately. |
| Blood sugar control and HbA1c levels | Healthy blood sugar levels and glucose readings indicate that you are managing your diabetes proactively and doing your best to prevent long-term health complications – therefore lowering your level of risk to an insurer |
| Other health conditions | If you’re navigating other health conditions, this can increase your risk of making a claim and therefore lead to more expensive premiums. |
| General health markers | Some insurers may also look at your overall health when assessing risk and your premium costs. With markers like blood pressure and cholesterol levels offering a helpful picture of your general health and wellbeing. With Real Insurance, you can apply for a policy with no medical or blood test needed. |
| Lifestyle choices | Particularly for type 2 diabetics, lifestyle decisions can have a big impact on how well you’re able to manage your condition. By avoiding higher risk lifestyle choices (such as smoking and consuming alcohol) you can lower your risk to insurers. |
| Family medical history | Some insurers may consider a family history of diabetes or other chronic conditions to be a higher risk profile. |
| Past complications | From kidney issues to vision problems, insurers will often assess if you have any other diabetes-related health conditions when you apply for life insurance. |
Can diabetics be declined for life insurance?
Diabetics aren’t usually automatically declined for life insurance. However, there are a number of factors that can make it more difficult or more expensive to secure cover, including:
- Poorly managed diabetes: Unstable blood sugar levels and no clear treatment plan can make it more likely that you’ll encounter other health complications, which can also make it harder to qualify for life insurance.
- Diabetes-related health complications: Having a history of other health issues (such as high blood pressure, heart disease and kidney problems) can make it more difficult to find insurers who are willing to approve your life insurance application.
- Being diagnosed at a young age: Receiving a diabetes diagnosis early can narrow your insurer options, as some may be less willing to approve applicants who have a higher risk of health complications.
Keep in mind that every insurer has its own underwriting requirements and criteria. Comparing your options and gathering a range of quotes can be a helpful way to see what insurer and policy are right for you.
Do you have to disclose diabetes to a life insurance provider
Yes, it is important that you disclose any pre-existing conditions to your insurer – including living with diabetes. Failing to disclose any health conditions you’re navigating can lead to your claims being denied and can even cause your policy to become invalid.
How to prepare for your life insurance application with diabetes
Ready to apply? As a diabetic, consider these steps when preparing to apply for life insurance:
- Gather your medical records: Living with a chronic health condition means you’ll likely need to meet with doctors and healthcare professionals on a regular basis. By gathering your recent medical history documents, you can show insurers a clear picture of your health and the results from recent check-ups.
- Share your recent HbA1c readings: This blood test shows your blood glucose levels over the past two to three months and is one of the keys ways to monitor and manage diabetes. Having these records and recent readings on-hand can show you’re proactively managing your condition.
- Note your medications and treatment plans: If you’re taking medication or following a clear treatment plan to manage your diabetes, consider documenting this and sharing with insurers, if requested, to show the steps you’re taking to lower your risk of health complications.
- Highlight any lifestyle improvements: From regular exercise to eating a balanced diet to avoiding excessive drinking and smoking, showing the steps that you’ve taken to improve your lifestyle can be helpful to support your life insurance application as a diabetic.
Get the right cover for your needs
It is possible to be eligible for life insurance, even with a chronic health condition (like diabetes). The key to securing cover is finding the right insurer and insurance policy for your needs.
With Real Life Insurance, you can apply over the phone with no medical or blood test needed. With flexible payment options available, protecting your family financially with Real Life Insurance may be more achievable than you think.
To find out more about your life insurance options, you can request a Real Insurance information pack or you can request a quote online now.
19 Sep 2025