Life insurance with Type 1 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is underwritten more cautiously than Type 2, and we are honest about that. Premiums will be higher, fewer insurers will offer cover, and some products like critical illness are harder to obtain. But life insurance is available for most people with T1 diabetes, and specialist insurers have become significantly more competitive in recent years.

The short answer

Life insurance with Type 1 diabetes is harder than Type 2 but available from several UK insurers. Your HbA1c, age of onset, complications, and how you manage your insulin all affect terms. Premiums will be higher than for someone without diabetes. A specialist broker who knows which insurers are most favourable for T1 is essential.

Why Type 1 is underwritten differently to Type 2

Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are fundamentally different conditions. Type 1 is an autoimmune condition where the body destroys its own insulin-producing cells. It requires lifelong insulin therapy from the point of diagnosis. Insurers treat it differently because:

It is always insulin-dependent, which carries a higher statistical risk for complications than oral-medication-controlled T2
It typically has a longer duration since diagnosis (often diagnosed in childhood or early adulthood)
The risk of hypoglycaemic episodes is higher than with most T2 diabetes
Long-term complication rates, while improving with modern management, remain higher than for well-controlled T2

What insurers ask about Type 1 diabetes

At what age were you diagnosed?

Age of onset matters. Diagnosis in childhood means a longer duration of insulin dependency and a longer exposure to potential complications. However, childhood-onset T1 with excellent lifelong control is viewed positively.

What is your most recent HbA1c?

As with T2, this is the most important single number. The target ranges are the same, but achieving them with T1 is acknowledged to be harder. An HbA1c under 58 mmol/mol (7.5%) is considered good control for T1.

How do you take your insulin?

Insulin pump therapy (CSII) is generally viewed as neutral to positive - it suggests proactive management. Multiple daily injections (MDI) is standard. The key is control, not delivery method.

How often do you experience hypoglycaemic episodes?

Frequent severe hypoglycaemia (requiring assistance from another person) is a significant concern for underwriters. It suggests unstable control and may result in higher loadings or decline.

Do you use a continuous glucose monitor (CGM)?

CGM use (Libre, Dexcom, etc.) is viewed positively. It indicates proactive management and typically correlates with better time-in-range metrics.

Any diabetes-related complications?

Retinopathy, neuropathy, nephropathy, and cardiovascular complications are assessed the same way as for T2, but they have a greater combined impact when present alongside T1.

Have your numbers ready

Your HbA1c, time since diagnosis, and any complications are the key details our partner brokers need. A 5-minute call gives you a clear picture.

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How HbA1c affects Type 1 diabetes premiums

The HbA1c thresholds are similar to Type 2, but the baseline loading for T1 is higher because of the insulin dependency itself. Even with perfect control, T1 premiums will typically be higher than T2 premiums.

Under 53 mmol/mol (7.0%)

Best available T1 rates

Excellent control for Type 1. You will still pay more than someone without diabetes, but this is the range where the most competitive T1 terms are available. Typical loading of 50-100% above standard rates.

53-64 mmol/mol (7.0-8.0%)

Moderate loading

Reasonable control. This is where many T1 diabetics sit. Loadings typically 100-200% above standard. Cover available from several mainstream and specialist insurers.

64-75 mmol/mol (8.0-9.0%)

Significant loading

Suboptimal control. Fewer insurers will offer terms. Those that do will apply significant loadings, potentially 200-300% or more. Specialist insurers are typically required.

Over 75 mmol/mol (9.0%+)

Very limited options

Most mainstream insurers will decline. Some specialist providers may offer terms or may postpone pending improved control. Guaranteed acceptance products remain available regardless of HbA1c. This is the range where working with a diabetes specialist nurse to improve control before applying can make a material difference.

Insulin pump vs multiple daily injections

There is a common misconception that being on an insulin pump makes insurance harder. In reality, most insurers view pump therapy neutrally or positively. What matters is your HbA1c and complication status, not how you deliver your insulin.

Some insurers view pump use as an indicator of engaged, proactive self-management - particularly when combined with a CGM and good time-in-range metrics. If you are on a closed-loop or hybrid closed-loop system, this may be viewed positively, though many insurers have not yet updated their underwriting criteria to reflect this newer technology.

Realistic pricing for Type 1 diabetes

We are honest: T1 premiums are higher than T2. Here are illustrative examples so you know what range to expect.

Profile	Cover	Indicative monthly premium
30-year-old non-smoker, T1 since age 12, HbA1c 50, no complications, insulin pump	200,000 level term, 25 years	25-45/month
40-year-old non-smoker, T1 since age 20, HbA1c 58, background retinopathy, MDI	200,000 level term, 20 years	60-100/month
45-year-old non-smoker, T1 since childhood, HbA1c 70, neuropathy + retinopathy	150,000 level term, 15 years	120-200+/month

Indicative figures only. Actual premiums depend on your full circumstances and the insurer selected. Our partner brokers provide exact quotes on the phone.

The honest answer

Type 1 diabetes is harder to insure than Type 2. Premiums will be higher, some mainstream insurers will decline you, and critical illness cover is genuinely difficult to obtain. But life insurance is available for most people with T1, and the market has improved significantly. A well-controlled T1 diabetic with no complications has multiple options. A poorly-controlled T1 diabetic with complications has fewer options, but they still exist. The key is using a broker who specialises in this area and knows exactly which door to knock on.

Critical illness cover with Type 1 diabetes

We will be straightforward: critical illness cover is significantly harder to obtain with Type 1 diabetes than life insurance. Many mainstream insurers will decline critical illness applications from T1 diabetics entirely.

A small number of specialist insurers may offer cover with substantial loadings and/or exclusions related to diabetes complications. If critical illness cover is important to you, our partner brokers will explore every available option, but we want you to be realistic about the likelihood and the cost.

Income protection with Type 1 diabetes

Income protection is more accessible than critical illness but still more restricted than for someone without diabetes. Most insurers will offer income protection with a diabetes-related exclusion, meaning they will not pay out for absence from work caused directly by diabetes or its complications.

The policy would still cover you for unrelated conditions - a broken leg, unrelated cancer, or other illness. Some specialist insurers may offer cover without a diabetes exclusion, though this typically comes with a significant premium loading.

Need income protection or critical illness with T1?

These are the harder products to obtain. Let us check which insurers will consider your case and on what terms.

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Specialist insurers for Type 1 diabetes

Some insurers have developed specific expertise and appetite for Type 1 diabetes risk. They understand the condition better, their underwriters are more experienced with it, and they are more likely to offer competitive terms.

We cannot name specific insurers publicly (insurer appetites change and published information quickly becomes outdated), but our partner brokers maintain current knowledge of which insurers are most competitive for T1 diabetes at any given time. This is one of the key advantages of using a specialist broker rather than applying directly.

Put your policy in trust

Regardless of your diabetes type, every life insurance policy should be written in trust. Without a trust, the payout enters your estate, potentially attracting 40% inheritance tax and months of probate delays. Our partner brokers set up trusts on every policy at no additional cost.

Read our full guide to trusts and estate planning

What if you have been declined?

A decline from one insurer does not make you uninsurable. Our partner brokers have placed cover for many T1 diabetics who were initially declined by a mainstream insurer. The options include:

Specialist insurer approach - Our specialist brokers submit your case to insurers with specific T1 appetite, presenting your medical information in the most favourable accurate way
Guaranteed acceptance life insurance - No medical questions, cover up to 25,000 typically, with a moratorium period. More expensive per pound of cover but guaranteed
Group life through your employer - Often no individual underwriting for standard cover levels
Improve control and reapply - A sustained period of improved HbA1c (6-12 months) can change an insurer's decision

Frequently asked questions

Is Type 1 diabetes always more expensive to insure than Type 2?

In most cases, yes. T1 requires lifelong insulin dependency from diagnosis, which carries a higher statistical risk. However, a well-controlled T1 diabetic with no complications may get better terms than a poorly controlled T2 diabetic with multiple complications. Individual circumstances matter more than the type label.

Does the age I was diagnosed matter?

Yes. Age of onset affects the duration of insulin dependency and cumulative complication risk. However, someone diagnosed at age 8 with 30 years of excellent control is viewed very differently from someone diagnosed at age 8 with 30 years of poor control. Duration matters, but control during that duration matters more.

I use a closed-loop insulin pump system - does that help?

Closed-loop and hybrid closed-loop systems (like CamAPS FX or Omnipod 5) are still relatively new to insurance underwriters. Some may not specifically recognise them yet. However, if your time-in-range metrics and HbA1c demonstrate excellent control, that is what matters to the underwriter regardless of the technology achieving it.

Can I get a mortgage with Type 1 diabetes?

Yes. Type 1 diabetes does not prevent you from getting a mortgage. If the lender requires life insurance as a condition, that life insurance is available for most T1 diabetics, though at higher premiums. Decreasing term cover (which reduces in line with your mortgage balance) is typically cheaper than level term.

Will my premiums increase if my diabetes gets worse?

No. Once your policy is in force with guaranteed premiums, the insurer cannot increase them. Your premiums are locked in at the point of acceptance. This is a strong reason to get cover as soon as possible while your control and complication status are at their current level.

Should I wait until my HbA1c improves before applying?

It depends. If your HbA1c is only slightly above the threshold for better terms and you are actively working on it, waiting 3-6 months may be worthwhile. If the improvement would take much longer, it may be better to get cover now at the available terms rather than be uninsured in the interim. Our partner brokers can advise on the best strategy for your situation.

Get a Type 1 diabetes life insurance quote

Our specialist brokers focus on placing cover for T1 diabetics. One free call with your HbA1c, time since diagnosis, and complication status is all they need to find your best option.

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