Type 1 diabetes and life insurance!

Type 1 diabetes, often call juvenile diabetes, has had a rough road with life insurance underwriters over the years. There has been a recent shift toward what is call “clinical underwriting” that has brought the type 1 diabetic issue into a fairer light.

Type 1 or type 2 diabetes can both have severe collateral effects on the body if not well controlled. Type 1 diabetes always concerned underwriters more because with more years to work on the body and cause collateral issues, the chances seemed greater that the disease could have a negative impact on mortality, the very basis for life insurance quotes.

The shift in underwriting has come with the realization that well controlled type 1 diabetes has a much lower chance of causing collateral health issues and therefore has a very small impact on mortality expectations. That leads to lower life insurance rates.

 What do underwriters look for? An A1C of under 7, under 6.5 would be optimal. A person who takes their diabetes management seriously, checking glucose frequently and having a review with their doctor at least every 3 months is a positive thing. Bottom line, a diabetic who cares enough to take care of themselves, has a great chance of getting great life insurance quotes.