Living with diabetes? Cover is still within reach.
The short answer
Yes, many people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes can get term life insurance in the UK. Insurers usually ask about your type, when you were diagnosed, your recent HbA1c readings, treatment and any complications. Well-managed diabetes often leads to an offer, sometimes with a higher premium. Always answer every question honestly.
Who this cover may suit
- You have type 1 or type 2 diabetes and people rely on your income.
- You have a mortgage or young family to protect.
- You track your HbA1c and attend regular reviews.
- You were turned down before and want to understand why.
When to consider another option
- You have several other conditions too — start with cover with medical conditions.
- You only want a small fixed sum later in life — see over-50s cover.
- You have gestational diabetes that has resolved — you may be treated as standard; see term life insurance.
How it works
Tell us about you
A few simple questions about your age, health and what you want to protect.
Choose amount and term
Pick how much cover you want, its shape and how long it should last.
Review real options
See options based on your answers, with a real person to help if you want one.
What insurers usually ask about diabetes
MoneyHelper explains that your health affects what life insurance costs and which insurers will offer cover. [2] For diabetes, the questions tend to focus on control and complications. Our underwriting guide covers the wider process.
| Question | Why it is asked | What helps |
|---|---|---|
| Type 1 or type 2? | Risks differ by type and age at diagnosis | Know your exact diagnosis |
| Latest HbA1c readings | Shows long-term blood sugar control | Recent results to hand |
| Treatment | Diet, tablets or insulin | List medication and doses |
| Complications | Eyes, kidneys, nerves, heart | Dates of reviews and outcomes |
| Other factors | Weight, blood pressure, smoking | Accurate, current figures |
Possible outcomes
Outcomes range from standard terms, to an increased premium, to a postponement or decline. Under the Consumer Insurance (Disclosure and Representations) Act 2012 you must take reasonable care to answer accurately, which protects a future claim.
A type 2 diabetic with a mortgage
Fictional example: Priya, 44, type 2 diabetes managed with tablets, a £180,000 mortgage and two children. No prices are shown because real premiums depend on underwriting.
- Preparation
- Gathers recent HbA1c results and review dates
- Application
- Answers every medical question fully
- Cover
- Decreasing mortgage cover plus level family cover
- Trust
- Written in trust for her partner and children
She gets a clear decision based on accurate information. See our cover sizing guide.
Tax and trusts
Writing a policy in trust can keep the payout outside your estate, where Inheritance Tax is usually charged above £325,000. [4] HMRC explains how trusts are taxed. [5]
Diabetes and life cover at a glance
What works well
- Many people with diabetes are offered cover.
- Good records support a clear decision.
- Cover protects your family from today.
What to watch
- Premiums may be higher.
- Complications can affect outcomes.
- Non-disclosure can put a claim at risk.
The FCA’s market study into pure protection found that competition generally works well, while noting many households remain underinsured. [3] Answer every application question accurately: under the Consumer Insurance (Disclosure and Representations) Act 2012 you must take reasonable care not to misrepresent. [6]
Employer death-in-service cover is valuable, but MoneyHelper notes it usually ends when you leave the job. [7] If a claim is ever disputed, the Financial Ombudsman Service handles complaints about insurers free of charge. [8]
Keep exploring
Frequently asked questions
Can diabetics get life insurance?
Yes. Many people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes can get term life insurance from mainstream UK insurers. The insurer will want to understand how well your diabetes is controlled and whether you have any complications, then decide whether to offer standard terms, charge a higher premium, postpone or decline. A diagnosis on its own does not usually mean a refusal. Outcomes vary between insurers, so being declined by one does not mean every insurer will say no. Answer every question honestly so the decision reflects your real circumstances.
Is life insurance harder to get with type 1 diabetes?
Type 1 diabetes usually starts earlier in life and is always treated with insulin, so insurers often ask more detailed questions about how long you have had it, your HbA1c readings, any hypoglycaemic episodes and complications. That can mean higher premiums than for type 2, but many people with well-managed type 1 diabetes are still offered cover. The age you were diagnosed and the number of years you have lived with the condition are commonly taken into account alongside your current control and general health.
What is HbA1c and why do insurers ask for it?
HbA1c is a blood test that shows your average blood sugar level over roughly the previous two to three months. Insurers use it as a guide to how well diabetes is controlled over time, rather than on a single day. Having your recent readings and the dates of your last diabetes reviews to hand can make the application quicker. If you do not know your figures, your GP surgery or diabetes clinic can usually tell you. The insurer may also contact your GP, with your permission, for a report.
Will I need a medical examination?
Not always. Many applications are decided on your answers alone. For diabetes, insurers may ask for a report from your GP, and sometimes a nurse screening or blood test, particularly for larger amounts of cover or if the answers need clarifying. Any examination is usually arranged and paid for by the insurer. The purpose is to confirm the details, not to catch you out. Giving accurate, complete answers at the start often reduces the need for further questions and helps avoid delays.
What if I have been declined before?
A previous decline does not mean you cannot get cover now. Insurers take different views of the same condition, and your circumstances may have changed, for example improved HbA1c readings or a longer period of stable health. You will usually need to say if you have been declined before when you apply. It helps to understand the reason for the earlier decision so you can check whether it still applies. A specialist can look at which insurers may take a more favourable view of your situation.
Do I have to tell my insurer if I develop diabetes after taking out a policy?
Generally, no. Term life insurance is usually priced on your health when you apply, and most policies do not require you to report changes in health after the cover starts. That is why taking out cover while you are well can be valuable. The important point is accuracy at application: under the Consumer Insurance (Disclosure and Representations) Act 2012 you must take reasonable care to answer the questions truthfully at that time. Check your policy documents, because terms can vary between insurers and products.
Sources
- Association of British Insurers — Protection insurers pay out £7.84 billion in claims in 2025 (2026-06-29)
- MoneyHelper — What is life insurance? (2026-09-28)
- Financial Conduct Authority — MS24/1.5 Market Study into the Distribution of Pure Protection Insurance Products: Final Report (2026-09-21)
- GOV.UK — How Inheritance Tax works: thresholds, rules and allowances (2026-09-28)
- HM Revenue & Customs — Trusts and Inheritance Tax (2010-11-08)
- legislation.gov.uk — Consumer Insurance (Disclosure and Representations) Act 2012 (2012-03-08)
- MoneyHelper — Life insurance through work (2026-09-28)
- Financial Ombudsman Service — Complain about a financial business (2026-09-28)
- Office for National Statistics — Inflation and price indices (2026-09-17)
- GOV.UK — Bereavement Support Payment (2026-09-28)
- legislation.gov.uk — Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 (2003-04-10)
- GOV.UK — Funeral Expenses Payment (2026-09-28)
- NHS — Cancer (2026-09-28)
- GOV.UK — Trusts and taxes (2026-09-28)