Most Texans with diabetes assume they can't qualify — or will pay unaffordably high rates. Both are usually wrong. The key is carrier matching based on your HbA1c and control history.
Carrier underwriting for diabetes is primarily driven by your HbA1c (blood sugar control over 90 days). Here's what to expect based on your most recent reading.
| HbA1c Range | Typical Rating |
|---|---|
Under 7.0 Excellent control — best available pricing | Standard to Preferred |
7.0 – 7.9 Good control — most carriers accept | Standard to Table 2 |
8.0 – 8.9 Moderate control — coverage with higher premium | Table 3 – Table 6 |
Under 8.0 Carrier-specific; fewer options but still insurable | Standard to Table 4 |
9.0+ Poor control — simplified/guaranteed issue available | Declined or Guaranteed Issue |
Ratings are illustrative. Actual outcomes depend on full health profile, diabetes duration, medications, and specific carrier guidelines.
This is general underwriting information — not medical advice. Consult your physician for health guidance.
Yes — most people with Type 2 diabetes qualify for life insurance. Carriers evaluate your control metrics: HbA1c level, time since diagnosis, whether you use oral medication or insulin, and any complications. Well-controlled Type 2 diabetes (HbA1c under 7.5) often qualifies for standard or near-standard rates. Tower Hill compares 30+ carriers, each with different underwriting guidelines for diabetics.
Type 1 diabetes is more restrictive but still insurable with the right carrier. Most major carriers have improved their underwriting for Type 1 in recent years. Applicants with well-managed Type 1 (HbA1c under 8.0, no serious complications) can find coverage through specialized carriers. Tower Hill will identify which carriers in our network have the most favorable guidelines for Type 1.
HbA1c is the single most important number in diabetes underwriting. General benchmarks: under 7.0 often qualifies for standard rates; 7.0–7.9 typically qualifies for standard to slightly rated; 8.0–8.9 may qualify for table ratings with a higher premium; above 9.0 significantly limits options. These ranges vary by carrier — some are more lenient than others.
No. Insulin use does narrow your carrier options and may result in a higher premium, but coverage is still available — especially with Type 2 diabetics on insulin who are otherwise healthy. Some carriers distinguish between oral-medication-only versus insulin-dependent management. We'll find the carrier with the best guidelines for your specific regimen.
Complications that significantly impact underwriting include: diabetic nephropathy (kidney disease), diabetic retinopathy (eye disease), peripheral neuropathy, and cardiovascular disease. If you have one or more complications, standard coverage may not be available — but guaranteed issue or simplified issue policies may still be an option.
Don't wait. A newly diagnosed diabetic who applies before other health issues develop will almost always get better rates than someone who waits. Life insurance premiums are locked at the health class you qualify for on the day you apply. Waiting risks additional health events that further restrict eligibility.
Tower Hill compares 30+ carriers — each with different guidelines for diabetics. We find the one that prices your profile most favorably. Get your rate in 2 minutes.
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