Living with Diabetes

Once a person is diagnosed with diabetes, life insurance policies sold within the United States can become unaffordable or unavailable. This is because life insurance policies are allowed by state and federal law to "rate" or charge a premium based upon an applicant's health status. In addition, a plan can choose to not provide a policy based upon an applicant's health status.

Even so, it is possible for many people with diabetes to find affordable life insurance policies within the United States. You just have to know where to look. Certain life insurance companies, or carriers, specialize in selling policies to people with chronic health conditions like diabetes.

To find the best life insurance policy for you, please consider the following:

• A major factor in the cost of life insurance policies for people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes is how well they manage their diabetes. If you have a lower A1C, good blood glucose control, lead a healthy lifestyle, and do not have complications from diabetes, chances are your rate will be more reasonable too.
• Find an insurance agent that is experienced in obtaining policies for individuals with "impaired risk" — they will know what carriers may offer you a policy and which one(s) may not.
• Apply for a policy with a life insurance carrier that uses "clinical underwriting" — a process that looks at your total health, not just what health conditions you may have.
• Shop around — on the internet, by phone, or through referrals from family and friends. Becoming your own advocate will help you to find a life insurance policy that best fits your needs.
• Never take NO for an answer. Just because one company rates or declines your application does not mean that another company will not look at you more favorably.

Most laws regulating life insurance are developed and implemented by state governments. As a result, the life insurance options that exist in one state do not necessarily exist in another. To learn more about life insurance in your state, you can contact your state insurance department. Contact information for state insurance departments is available at www.naic.org/state_web_map.htm.