A Type 2 diabetes diagnosis can prompt you to review your health, work and financial arrangements. When your loved ones depend on your earnings, including life insurance in your financial planning can provide added reassurance. A diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes does not prevent you from applying for life insurance. Many UK insurers consider applications, although they may ask additional questions about your diagnosis, treatment and recent test results. The application can be easier when you understand what information is required and prepare it in advance.
Check your existing protection first
Take time to assess your existing insurance policies and workplace benefits before applying for additional life cover.
You may already hold life insurance taken out before your diagnosis. In most cases, a later diagnosis will not change an existing policy, provided the original application was completed honestly and premiums continue to be paid.
Many employers include a death-in-service benefit as part of their employee package. If you pass away during your employment, this benefit typically provides your beneficiaries with a lump sum based on several times your annual salary.
Workplace cover can be valuable, but it often ends when you leave the employer. Check the amount, beneficiary nomination and conditions rather than assuming it will cover all your family’s needs.
Starting a new application
When applying for Type 2 diabetes life insurance , disclose accurate information about your diagnosis, treatment, and overall medical history to support your application. Each insurer has different underwriting criteria, so the first quote you receive may not be the most suitable.
You are likely to be asked:
- When you were diagnosed
- Your latest HbA1c result
- Previous HbA1c readings
- How the condition is treated
- Your medication and doses
- Your blood pressure
- Your cholesterol
- Your height and weight
- If you smoke or use nicotine
- If you have complications
- Details of any hospital admissions
- Other medical conditions
The insurer may make a decision using your answers. It may also request a GP report or further health screening.
Applying soon after diagnosis
A recent diagnosis can sometimes make underwriting more difficult because your treatment and test results may still be changing.
Follow-up tests will show how your blood glucose levels respond.
If a provider postpones your application, ask what information it needs and when it may be willing to reconsider the case.
Understand what Type 2 diabetes means
Type 2 diabetes is a condition in which the level of glucose in the blood becomes too high.
Treatment can vary. Some people manage the condition through dietary changes and physical activity. Others need medication, and some use insulin.
It should consider the complete medical picture, including test results and other health factors.
Your treatment is a matter for you and your healthcare team.
Gather your latest medical results
Preparing your information before applying can reduce delays.
Try to find your latest:
- HbA1c result
- Blood pressure reading
- Cholesterol result
- Weight
- Medication list
- Diabetes review date
- Eye screening result
- Foot check information
You may find these in the NHS App, clinic letters or GP records.
Diabetes UK says that insurance applicants need to provide information about their health and how their diabetes is managed.
You do not need to obtain your full medical record before applying unless asked. However, having the main figures ready will make it easier to answer the questions accurately.
Decide how much cover you need
Consider:
- The remaining mortgage balance
- Loans and other debts
- Regular household bills
- Your contribution to family income
- Childcare costs
- Education costs
- Funeral expenses
- Existing savings
- Workplace benefits
You may not need enough cover to replace every pound of future income. Equally, choosing an arbitrary amount may leave your dependants underinsured.
Choose an appropriate policy term
The policy term determines how long the cover lasts.
If your main concern is a 20-year repayment mortgage, you may choose a term that broadly matches it. If the purpose is to support young children, you may want cover until they are expected to become financially independent.
Some people choose whole-of-life insurance, which is intended to remain in place for life as long as the required premiums are paid.
Understand which type of policy you are considering before accepting a quote.
Be accurate about smoking
Smoking status is an important part of life insurance pricing and can significantly affect the premium.
The application may ask about cigarettes, cigars, vaping and nicotine replacement products. Do not assume vaping counts as non-smoking.
If you stopped recently, state the correct date. Providers commonly require a person to have avoided nicotine for a set period before offering non-smoker terms.
Giving an incorrect answer can affect a future claim.
Disclose other medical conditions
You may need to disclose:
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Heart problems
- Sleep apnoea
- Liver conditions
- Kidney problems
- Anxiety or depression
- Previous cancer
- Joint or mobility conditions
- Planned tests or referrals
A separate condition does not always prevent cover, but it may affect which insurer is most suitable.
Do not leave out a diagnosis because it is controlled or you believe it is unrelated to diabetes. Answer each question according to its wording and specified timeframe.
What happens if your GP is contacted?
The insurer will ask for your consent before requesting medical information.
A GP report may confirm your diagnosis, treatment, test results and other relevant medical history. The insurer pays for reports it requests.
The process can be delayed if the surgery is busy or the consent form has not been completed correctly. Respond promptly to any messages and check that your GP details are current.
You can contact the surgery to confirm that it has received the request, but the insurer or adviser should continue to manage the application.
What if you have been declined before?
A previous decline does not always mean no insurer will offer cover.
- A recent diagnosis
- A high HbA1c result
- Missing medical evidence
- An ongoing investigation
- A diabetes-related complication
- Another health condition
- The insurer’s own underwriting limits
Ask for the reason before applying elsewhere. This helps you avoid submitting the same application to a provider likely to reach a similar decision.
More Than Diabetes works with UK insurers that assess applicants living with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. The business also supports people who have previously struggled to obtain cover.
Acceptance can never be guaranteed, but a specialist approach can help identify more appropriate providers.
Review the offer carefully
When the insurer offers terms, check:
- The monthly premium
- The payout amount
- The policy term
- The start date
- Guaranteed or reviewable premiums
- Any additional benefits
- The cancellation policy
- Details of who is insured
Do not focus only on price. A cheaper policy may provide less cover or end sooner than you need.
Make sure all information in the policy documents is correct. Contact the insurer or adviser promptly if your name, date of birth, smoking status or medical information has been recorded incorrectly.
Maintain Your Current Insurance Until Your New Coverage Starts
Never cancel an existing life insurance policy based only on an initial quote.
A quote is not the same as accepted cover. The premium may change after medical underwriting, or the insurer may be unable to offer the policy.
There may also be reasons to keep both policies. This depends on your protection needs and budget, so seek regulated advice if you are uncertain.
Approach the application with realistic expectations
Type 2 diabetes may lead to additional questions or an increased premium, but the outcome depends on much more than the diagnosis.
Prepare your recent health information, calculate the cover your family needs and compare insurers familiar with Type 2 diabetes applications.
Be honest about treatment, results, smoking and other medical conditions. Accurate disclosure gives the insurer the information needed to offer reliable terms and protects the validity of the policy.
This article provides general information and does not constitute medical or financial advice. Cover, premiums and eligibility depend on personal circumstances and the insurer’s underwriting criteria.
