Getting affordable life insurance with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes is entirely possible in Central Texas when you work with an independent broker who shops multiple carriers for your specific health profile. The trick is matching your health story to the right company.
Key Takeaways:
- Type 2 diabetics with stable A1C levels under 7.0 can qualify for Standard or Standard Plus life insurance rates.
- Type 1 diabetics can still secure term life coverage, though monthly premiums run higher due to table ratings.
- Insurance companies look closely at your 12-month A1C trends, prescription compliance (like Metformin or GLP-1s), and routine doctor checkups.
- A $500,000, 20-year term policy for a well-managed diabetic usually ranges from $42 to $120 per month depending on your age and health history.
Can I even get life insurance if I have diabetes?
Yes. Short answer, yes you can.
Here in Central Texas, I get calls all the time from folks who think a diabetes diagnosis means the door is closed. It isn’t.
I had a client call my office from over in Round Rock. He had been turned down for a policy online because he checked the box for Type 2 diabetes. He thought that meant he was completely out of luck when it came to protecting his family.
I told him what I tell everybody who comes across my desk:
Life insurance companies do not treat diabetes the same way.
One carrier might slap a massive extra fee on your policy, while another carrier looks at your steady blood sugar numbers and offers you a normal, standard price.
Shopping for life insurance can feel like a big, confusing mess. I will be the first person to admit that. But having diabetes does not automatically disqualify you from getting a solid term policy to cover your mortgage or protect your kids.
Most of my clients with type 2 diabetes get approved, and many with type 1 do too.
So what do the insurance companies actually look at?
Here are the main things underwriters check:
- Your A1C Levels: This is the most critical number on your lab work. An A1C below 7.0 shows great blood sugar control and gets you the best rates. An A1C between 7.0 and 8.0 still gets you reasonable coverage. If your A1C is over 9.0, options get trickier, but options still exist.
- Your Medications: Taking daily oral medications like Metformin or GLP-1s (like Ozempic) shows underwriters you are active about your care. Even insulin use is not an automatic declination like it used to be years ago.
- Regular Doctor Checkups: Insurers want to see that you visit your primary doctor in Austin or Cedar Park at least once a year and keep up with regular lab work.
Here’s what I tell my clients. The underwriter isn’t asking “do you have diabetes?” They’re asking “how are you managing it?” Those are two very different questions.
If you are out walking around Lady Bird Lake, keeping your blood sugar stable, and taking your prescriptions regularly, underwriters notice that.
Why do the rates jump around so much between companies?
Every life insurance company has its own rulebook. One company might give you a Standard rate at an A1C of 7.5. The next company might charge you a higher rate for the same number.
The same 50-year-old with the same lab work can get quotes that are 30 to 40% apart depending on which company sees the paperwork.
If you go to a captive agent, they only sell one company’s product. If that one company happens to be strict on diabetes, you’re stuck paying more. When I shop your case, I already know which companies are friendlier to your situation.
Whether you live in Austin, Pflugerville, Leander, or Bee Cave, you do not have to guess with your family’s future security.
How should I get ready before I apply?
To improve your chances of qualifying for life insurance as a diabetic, and to save money, here are 3 steps that can really help:
Three things really help:
- Don’t apply to a bunch of companies at once. That shows up on your record and looks bad. Let me pre-screen you with the right company first.
- Get your most recent A1C. If it’s higher than you’d like, give yourself a few months to work on it before applying. A better number now can save you money for 20 years.
- Gather your medical records. Two years of records showing steady management makes underwriters more comfortable.
How We Can Work Together
If you want to see what rates look like for your specific health picture, give me a call or send a quick message. I can walk through your options in plain English and find a policy that fits your budget without any hassle.
Get a Free Life Insurance Quote in Austin, TX
Whether you’re a Type 1 diabetic, Type 2 diabetic, or you have gestational diabetes, here at The Lambert Agency, we’re going to help you find the right coverage you need, at the right price. Feel free to contact us using the form below. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
