Skip to content

Diabetics life insurance

Life insurance and diabetes

Prices from £10.96^ just a month

  • Life insurance options tailored for diabetes

  • Fee-free advice from 280 UK-based experts

  • Quick and easy quote comparison in minutes

Find affordable life insurance with diabetes

Can I get life insurance with diabetes?

Yes — it’s possible to get life insurance whether you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes. You may pay a little more because it’s classed as a pre-existing condition, but many insurers now offer competitive options for people who manage their diabetes well.

💡 Top tip: Insurers will look at the type of diabetes you have, how stable your blood sugar levels are, and your general health before giving you a quote.


What if I'm also a smoker or vaper?

You can still get life insurance if you smoke or vape, but it will cost more. Insurers see any nicotine use as a higher risk, which means premiums are often around twice as high as those for non-smokers. If you’ve stopped for at least 12 months, you could be reclassified as a non-smoker and pay less for your cover.

How much more will I pay for it?

Prices for £200,000 30-year life insurance policy for a 30-year-old non-smoker:

Symptoms

Minimum Monthly Cost

No diabetes

£7.96^

If well controlled

+ £3

If moderate symptoms

+ £6

If severe symptoms

+ £18

What is the cost of life insurance if I have diabetes?

Here are three example quotes based on real customer data. Prices are per month for level term.

Age: 30-35
£8
.83^

Policy Type: £250,000 cover | 30 year term

With major symptoms: £26.43^

Age: 45-50
£45
.27^

Policy Type: £150,000 cover | 20 year term

With major symptoms: £80^

Age: 60+
£29
.51^

Policy Type: £50,000 cover | 10 year term

With major symptoms: £54.09^

What impacts the cost of life insurance for diabetics?

  • Regular monitoring and maintaining optimal blood glucose levels with insulin

  • The length of time you have had diabetes

  • Related complications and separate medical conditions

  • Recent hospital visits

  • Your age

  • Your BMI

  • Smoking status

  • Policy type

Diabetic woman with insulin and monitor

Frequently asked questions

Can I get life insurance if I have diabetes?

Yes — you can apply for life insurance with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Your premium might be higher, but many insurers now offer fair rates for people who manage their condition well. Being open about your health helps ensure you’re matched with the right provider.

Is pre-diabetes considered a pre-existing condition?

Yes. You’ll need to share full details of your diagnosis, treatment and any medications. If you don’t, your policy could be invalidated and future claims may be refused.

What if there are gaps in my medical history or missing HbA1c results?

If your medical records are incomplete, insurers may request additional information or ask your GP for recent test results. Providing accurate and up-to-date readings helps speed up your application and may lead to lower premiums.

How does the length of time I’ve had diabetes affect my cover?

Insurers will look at how long you’ve had diabetes and how well it’s been controlled. A long, stable history without major complications can help you get better terms than a recent or poorly managed diagnosis.

Is there a difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes when it comes to life insurance?

Yes. Type 1 diabetes usually involves more regular treatment and medical oversight, so premiums may be higher. Type 2 diabetes, particularly when controlled through diet or oral medication, is often viewed more favourably by insurers.

Does diabetes affect critical illness cover?

A diagnosis of diabetes doesn’t usually trigger a critical illness payout. However, related conditions such as heart disease or kidney failure may be included, depending on your policy.

Always check the terms before you buy.

How do I get a life insurance quote if i have diabetes?

  • one

    Gather Your Details

    When you fill out your life insurance application with diabetes, you’ll likely be asked for:

    • The date you were diagnosed

    • When you last had a diabetes review

    • The treatment method (e.g. insulin, tablets, pump)

    • Any hospital admissions you’ve had

    • Latest HbA1c readings

    • Any complications (eye problems, kidney issues, neuropathy)

    • Symptoms like numbness or tingling in extremities

    • Lifestyle information (diet, activity, smoking, alcohol)

    • Your family’s medical history

    Providing clear, up-to-date information helps underwriters assess risk more accurately — and can speed up your application.

  • two

    Complete the Application

    • Start by filling out our online form.

    • Choose your preferred policy type — level cover (pays a fixed amount) or decreasing (reduces over time).

    • Set the amount of cover and how many years you want it (the “term”).

    • In the health section, tick “diabetes” (alongside any other conditions) and answer a few targeted questions about how well it’s managed.

    Once submitted, your information will be used to generate tailored quotes.

  • three

    Compare and Choose a Quote

    You’ll see a selection of quotes side by side, so you can compare cost, features and provider terms.

    When you’ve found one you like, you have two choices:

    1. Buy now — complete the purchase immediately on our site.

    2. Apply now — move to the insurer’s site and answer any additional health checks

Our expert says…

More than five million adults in the UK are living with diagnosed diabetes, and a further 1.3 million have the condition undiagnosed or are at high risk of developing type 2, according to Diabetes UK.   

While having diabetes doesn’t automatically prevent you from getting life insurance, the key for insurers is how well the condition is managed.  

They will ask about your latest HbA1c reading, how long you’ve had the diagnosis, whether you take insulin, whether you’ve developed complications, and whether you have other health issues.  

Being open and providing accurate medical details gives you the best chance of securing suitable cover. And being proactive in managing your diabetes (and associated risks) can help you get a more competitive quote. 

Lucas Mansilla Life & Health Insurance Expert

Join hundreds of satisfied customers who found their life insurance with us

Unlike some of our competitors, MoneySuperMarket is not owned by an insurance company. So we can offer the best value, with savings delivered straight to you.

By combining independence with our excellent technology, we can negotiate the best prices and the best value on products and services.

Based on 378 reviews
our customers rate us

4.7/5

I need help with my life insurance quote

lifesearch logo

Can I speak to an adviser on the phone?

Yes. If you are struggling to find suitable cover or need extra support, you can speak to an adviser at our partner LifeSearch.

Phone number: 0800 197 3178

Opening hours: Mon to Fri 8am - 8 pm | Sat 9 am - 2 pm | Sun 10am - 3.30pm

It's free to call, and their team of 280 advisers are all UK-based.

Who is LifeSearch?

LifeSearch is one of the largest insurance brokers in the UK. It works with leading and specialist insurers, and has covered over 2 million people since 1998.

LifeSearch provides a number of different insurance products, including:

  • Life insurance

  • Critical Illness Cover

  • Income Protection

LifeSearch is rated 'excellent' on Trustpilot and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

How do we work with LifeSearch?

MoneySuperMarket has a long-standing partnership with LifeSearch. When you compare life insurance through us, you’ll see options from insurers they work with — helping you find cover that fits your circumstances.

Your policy will always be taken out with the insurer you choose, but LifeSearch can support you at every stage, from applying for cover to making a claim. You can also manage claims directly through their website.

We receive a commission for referrals, but this never affects the price you pay for your policy.

➡️ Find out more about how MoneySuperMarket makes money

Which life insurers specialise in cover for diabetes?

Several major UK insurers provide life insurance for people living with diabetes, whether it’s Type 1 or Type 2. These include:

  • AIG Life

  • Aviva

  • Legal & General

  • Royal London

  • Vitality

Each insurer assesses applications individually, looking at factors such as your blood sugar control (HbA1c levels), medication use, age, and overall health. If your diabetes is well managed — for example, through regular monitoring, treatment, and a healthy lifestyle — you may still qualify for standard or near-standard rates.

Those with more complex medical histories or higher readings might face higher premiums, but insurers like these often specialise in helping customers with pre-existing conditions. Comparing quotes and speaking to a UK-based adviser can make it easier to find the most suitable and affordable policy for your circumstances.

How does MoneySuperMarket create and review the content on the website?

At MoneySuperMarket, we want to give you clear, accurate and trustworthy information so you can make confident financial decisions for your circumstances.

Every page on our website goes through a careful editorial process before it is published. It’s written or reviewed by one of our experienced experts, checked for accuracy, and updated regularly to reflect the latest information.

We do use AI tools to support our research and drafting, but a human editor is always in the loop to review, fact-check and approve everything before it’s published, so you can trust that what you’re reading is both reliable and up to date.

You can read more in our editorial guidelines.

How does MoneySuperMarket make money?

We get paid by the companies we work with, but the payment we get doesn’t have any bearing on the information we provide. We get paid in different ways, depending on the type of product or service you buy through us. Our goal is to search deals from as wide a range of companies as possible, but we only show results from our partner providers.

Our comparison service is, and will always be, free to use.

You can find out more about how we make money here.

Why should I use a price comparison website?

One of the best ways to get the lowest prices and best deals is to compare quotes from different companies. We do the work for you, comparing quotes side-by-side and giving you all the information you need so you can choose the right deal for your needs and your wallet.

We don’t give recommendations or financial advice, but we give you clear information so you can choose financial products that suit your circumstances.

Does MoneySuperMarket work with all the providers on the market?

No, not every company can be included in our service. This is because some companies don’t want their products included on comparison sites, and some decide that they would rather not pay a fee. There are also a few smaller providers who can struggle to cope with the volume of customers that can find their products if they appear on MoneySuperMarket.

Our goal is to search deals from as wide a range of companies as possible so that you can choose the deal that suits you.

Is life insurance eligible for SuperSaveClub and rewards?

No, at this time life insurance is not an eligible product for unlocking our SuperSaveClub rewards. It is also not included in our Price Promise.

Reviewed on 15 Dec 2025 by

Starting price for a 30 year old non-smoker with well-controlled diabetes, taking out a £200,000, 30-year life insurance policy. Data from LifeSearch, 2025.

Starting price for a 30 year old non-smoker with no medical conditions, taking out a £200,000, 30-year life insurance policy. Data from LifeSearch, 2025.

Example cost of 10-year £50,000 level term life insurance policy for a 60+ year-old non-smoker with diabetes and minor symptoms.

Data from LifeSearch. Prices from June 2025.

Example cost of 10-year £50,000 level term life insurance policy for a 60+ year-old non-smoker with diabetes and major symptoms.

Data from LifeSearch. Prices from June 2025.

Example cost of 30-year £250,000 level term life insurance policy for a 30-35 year-old non-smoker with diabetes and minor symptoms.

Data from LifeSearch. Prices from June 2025.

Example cost of 30-year £250,000 level term life insurance policy for a 30-35 year-old non-smoker with diabetes and major symptoms.

Data from LifeSearch. Prices from June 2025.

Example cost of 20-year £150,000 level term life insurance policy for a 45-50 year-old non-smoker with diabetes and minor symptoms.

Data from LifeSearch. Prices from June 2025.

Example cost of 20-year £150,000 level term life insurance policy for a 45-50 year-old non-smoker with diabetes and major symptoms.

Data from LifeSearch. Prices from June 2025.