Quick Answer
Yes, you can usually still get life insurance with diabetes after 60. Well-controlled type 2 diabetes with no major complications often qualifies for standard-priced term or whole life, while poorly controlled diabetes or complications push most people toward simplified issue or guaranteed issue policies with smaller benefits. Your A1C history, how long you have had diabetes, and any complications set the price more than your age alone. Always apply for the most underwritten option you might qualify for first, because each step down costs more per dollar of coverage.
What Underwriters Look at After 60
Insurers care less about the word «diabetes» and more about how well it is managed. The main factors are:
- A1C history: Stable, consistent readings over several months help more than one good result. Some guidance suggests showing 6 to 12 months of control.
- Age at diagnosis and duration: A diagnosis at 55 reads very differently from one at 30.
- Type: Type 2 is generally easier to insure than type 1, which tends to face more selective underwriting.
- Complications: Neuropathy, kidney, eye and heart problems can raise premiums or narrow your options.
- Other risk factors: Blood pressure, cholesterol, weight, tobacco use and recent hospital or ER visits are all reviewed.
A decline from one insurer does not mean every carrier will decline you. Underwriting rules differ by company.
Your Options, From Cheapest to Most Expensive Per Dollar of Coverage
| Option | Medical exam | Health questions | Typical fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fully underwritten term | Usually yes | Detailed | Well-controlled type 2, no complications |
| Whole life (underwritten) | Usually yes | Detailed | Lifetime cover when you can afford higher premiums |
| Simplified issue | No | Short questionnaire | Moderate control, or you want to skip the exam |
| Guaranteed issue | No | None | Complications, recent declines, or poor control |
Fully underwritten term. Often the lowest price and highest coverage. At 60 or older, available term lengths are shorter, so confirm the term runs as long as you need it. Many well-controlled type 2 applicants land in a standard class, and a preferred rating is possible but rare.
Simplified issue. No exam, but a health questionnaire that asks about diabetes medications, complications and hospitalizations. Policies are commonly offered for roughly ages 45 to 85, with benefits up to about $40,000 at some carriers. Our guide to simplified issue vs. guaranteed issue explains the trade-offs.
Guaranteed issue. Acceptance is not based on health. The catch is a low benefit cap and a graded period, often two to three years, during which a natural death pays back premiums plus interest rather than the full benefit. Read guaranteed issue pros, cons and real cost before you buy one.
What Affects the Price Most
Expect to pay more than a non-diabetic of the same age. How much more depends mainly on control and complications, not on age alone.
- Controlled vs. uncontrolled: Steady A1C readings and consistent medication use are the strongest levers on your rate class.
- Complications: A clean history is priced very differently from one with kidney or heart involvement. If heart disease is part of your picture, see life insurance with heart disease.
- Product type: The same person can be offered standard term at one price and a guaranteed issue policy at a far higher cost per $1,000 of coverage.
- Coverage amount and term: Smaller benefits and shorter terms cost less, so match them to a real need such as final expenses or a remaining mortgage.
The only reliable way to see your price is to compare quotes. Our guide on how to compare life insurance quotes without getting scammed walks through it.
What Gets an Application Declined
- Recently uncontrolled blood sugar or very high A1C readings
- Serious complications, especially kidney disease, advanced neuropathy or recent cardiac events
- Hospitalizations or ER visits tied to diabetes in the recent past
- Combined risks such as tobacco use, high blood pressure or heart disease alongside diabetes
A decline is not the end of the road. Guaranteed issue and some simplified issue policies remain available, and a later application after better control can produce a different result.
How to Improve Your Chances
- Show sustained control. Keep a record of your recent A1C results and medications so your answers are accurate.
- Work on the numbers an exam measures. Blood pressure, cholesterol and weight all feed the underwriting decision. Our page on no medical exam life insurance with diabetes covers the no-exam route in more detail.
- Apply to several carriers or use an independent agent. One insurer’s decline is another’s standard offer.
- Do not lie on the application. Misstatements can lead to a denied claim. See life insurance and smoking for how insurers verify answers.
- Start with the most underwritten option you might qualify for, and step down only if needed. Applying to several simplified or guaranteed policies at once is not necessary.
FAQs
Can I get life insurance at 60 or older if I take insulin?
Often yes, but your options narrow. Insulin use, especially with a long history or complications, usually moves applicants toward simplified issue or guaranteed issue. Some carriers still offer fully underwritten coverage, so it is worth comparing.
Is type 1 or type 2 diabetes easier to insure?
Type 2 is generally easier to insure. Type 1 can still be insurable, but underwriting tends to be more selective.
Does a high A1C mean automatic denial?
Not automatically. Insurers look at your A1C over time and alongside complications and other health factors. A very high or unstable A1C makes traditional approval harder, and guaranteed issue remains available.
Is guaranteed issue my only option if I have complications?
Not always, but it is the most reliable one. Simplified issue may work depending on the complication and carrier, so answer the questionnaire honestly and compare.
Will I pay more than a non-diabetic?
Usually yes. The gap depends on how well your diabetes is controlled and whether you have complications.
Sources
Figures such as age ranges and benefit caps vary by carrier and state. Last checked October 2026.
Disclaimer
This article is general information, not insurance, medical, legal or financial advice. GuaranteedLifeGuide.com is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by any insurance company, carrier or product named or implied here. Eligibility, underwriting rules and prices vary by insurer and by individual, so confirm details with a licensed agent and your doctor before you buy.
Next Step
Gather your latest A1C results and medication list, then get quotes from at least three carriers before you choose. Start with the quote comparison guide, and if you are also managing blood pressure, read life insurance with high blood pressure.