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If you’ve been told “life insurance is going to be expensive because of your diabetes,” welcome to the most common half‑truth in this industry.

Yes—diabetes changes underwriting. No—it does not mean you’re stuck with junk policies, sky‑high rates, or guaranteed issue as your only option.

At Maple Valley Insurance Group, we help people with diabetes secure real term life insurance every single week—often at prices that surprise them (in a good way).

This guide breaks down:

• How term life insurance for diabetics really works
• What carriers look at (and what they don’t care about nearly as much as agents say)
• How to qualify for term insurance for diabetics at the best possible rate class
• And how to find affordable life insurance for diabetics without playing underwriting roulette

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Why Diabetes Doesn’t Automatically Kill Your Term Life Insurance Options

Underwriters don’t price diabetes off one lab value or a checkbox.

They price risk management.

That means they look at the story behind your diabetes:

• Type 1 or Type 2
• Age at diagnosis
• A1C history and trend
• Medications (insulin vs. oral meds)
• Complications (neuropathy, retinopathy, kidney issues, heart disease)
• Lifestyle (BMI, smoking, blood pressure, cholesterol)

Two people with “diabetes” can be priced four rate classes apart.

That’s the difference between:

$32/month and $148/month for the exact same term policy.

Same age. Same coverage. Same carrier.

The only difference is how the risk is positioned and where it’s placed.

That’s why working with an independent broker who understands diabetes underwriting isn’t a nice-to-have—it’s the entire game.

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How Age of Diagnosis Affects Life Insurance for Diabetics

One key factor insurers focus on is when you were diagnosed with diabetes. This affects how your risk is evaluated and can influence rates, even if you’ve managed your condition perfectly.

• Early-onset Type 1 diabetes: Diagnosed in childhood or teens? Insurers see a longer history of diabetes. Statistical risk is higher, so premiums or coverage options may be stricter.
• Later-onset Type 2 diabetes: Diagnosed in adulthood? Shorter diabetes history usually means lower perceived risk and more favorable rates if your health is well-managed.

The takeaway? It’s not a judgment on your daily efforts. Insurers rely on data, not diligence. Working with a licensed broker ensures you’re matched with carriers who view your profile fairly and help you secure the best term life options.

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Term Life Insurance for Diabetics: What Carriers Actually Offer

We stay carrier-agnostic on purpose — because the right company depends on your overall health profile not just diabetes.

That said, in the real world, one carrier shows up again and again for diabetics who want affordable, flexible term coverage:

Foresters Financial.

They’re not perfect for every case — and we won’t force them where they don’t belong — but for many well‑managed Type 2 diabetics (and some Type 1s), Foresters is often the sweet spot between price, underwriting flexibility, and long‑term value.

Here’s why they matter in this conversation:

Foresters is often our first stop — but rarely our final stop — because diabetic underwriting is too nuanced for one-size-fits-all answers.

This is complicated, but we’ve already solved it for you.

Most people assume diabetics are forced into whole life or guaranteed issue.

That’s not a consistent truth.

Here’s what we place every day:

✅ Fully Underwritten Term Life Insurance (Often Through Foresters Financial)

This is the gold standard — and where Foresters frequently shines for diabetics.

• 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30-year terms
• Coverage from $50,000 to $5,000,000+
• Best price per dollar of coverage with Foresters
• Very diabetes‑friendly underwriting when control is solid

Well‑managed Type 2 diabetics often qualify for Standard rates with the right carrier.

Foresters is one of the few carriers that will actually reward long‑term control instead of automatically punishing the diagnosis.

Is it possible with the right carrier to get better than standard rates? Yes, but your overall health profile must be in very good order otherwise, by the carriers assessment.

✅ No‑Exam Term Life Insurance for Diabetics

Perfect for:

• Busy professionals
• People who hate needles
• Applicants with mild complications

Carriers use:

• Pharmacy records
• Medical databases
• Prescription history

Instead of labs and exams.

Rates are higher than fully underwritten term typcially—but still dramatically cheaper than whole life.

❌ Guaranteed Issue (Last Resort)

Use this only if:

• You have severe complications such as recent amputation
• You’ve been declined multiple times whole standard whole life insurance
• There are no better options due to a very complicated health profile

Guaranteed issue is easy—and rather expensive.

We avoid it whenever there’s a smarter option.

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Term Insurance for Diabetics: How Underwriting Really Works

Here’s the part most agents never explain.

Underwriting is not just about your diagnosis—it’s about pattern recognition.

Carriers ask:

“Does this person manage their diabetes like a professional, or like a gambler?”

They want to see:

• A1C under 7.5 (ideally under 7.0)
• Stable meds (no regular changes)
• Annual follow‑ups with your doctor
• No hospitalizations for glucose emergencies

If that describes you, you’re not a “high‑risk diabetic.”

You’re a solid underwriting candidate.

And that’s exactly how we position your application.

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Affordable Life Insurance for Diabetics: What Actually Lowers Your Price

Price isn’t magic.

It’s math + strategy.

Here’s what moves the needle:

1. Carrier Selection (This Is 70% of the Battle)

Some carriers punish diabetes.

Others understand it.

Foresters Financial is one of the carriers we lean on heavily because they:

• Favor well‑controlled Type 2 diabetics
• Don’t automatically freak out over insulin
• Reward long‑term A1C stability
• Are more forgiving with mild complications

But they’re not the only option.

The right carrier depends on your diagnosis, control, meds, and history — which is why we shop your case instead of guessing.

Same health. Radically different price.

Some carriers punish diabetes.

Others specialize in it.

We place diabetics with carriers that:

• Favor Type 2
• Reward long‑term control
• Ignore or minimize minor complications
• Don’t freak out over insulinar

Same health. Radically different price.

2. Application Positioning

How your health history is presented changes the outcome.

We control:

• Which carrier sees your file first
• What gets emphasized
• What gets clarified
• What underwriting questions get answered before they’re even asked

That’s why our clients get approved when others get declined.

3. Smart Policy Design

Sometimes the cheapest option isn’t the lowest premium.

We balance:

• Term length
• Coverage amount
• Conversion options
• Living benefits
• Future insurability

So your policy still works 15 years from now.

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Life Insurance and Diabetes: How It All Comes Together

This is where most people finally exhale.

Diabetes does not disqualify you from good life insurance.

It simply means you need:

• The right carrier
• The right strategy
• And a broker who understands diabetic underwriting inside and out

When those three line up, you get:

• Real term life insurance when control is good
• Smart life insurance alternatives when control isn’t ideal
• At a price that makes sense
• With coverage that actually protects your family

And you stop overpaying for fear-based policies.

Term vs. Whole Life (Without the Internet Nonsense)

Here’s the grown-up version no one tells you:

Term is for the what-ifs.
It protects your family while you’re working, raising kids, paying off a mortgage, and building assets.

Permanent life insurance is for the inevitable.
It covers final expenses, creates certainty, and guarantees a payout no matter how long you live.

They aren’t enemies. They’re tools for different jobs.

For well-controlled diabetics, term often makes sense.

If control isn’t where it needs to be, we’ll walk you through the smartest life insurance alternatives — honestly, empathetically, and without the sales circus — so you still end up protected.

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Real-World Example

Mark, 52 – Type 2 Diabetes, A1C 6.9, Metformin Only

• Recent client who applied for $250K with a captive agent & name brand insurance company for 20 year term
• Quoted $189/month initially by brand name company agent. Underwriting review decision: approved other than applied for: $236.25/month This is a 25% increase due to a Table 1 rating.

When Mark came to us: we placed him with a diabetic friendly carrier:

• $250,000 / 20-Year Term
• No exam
• $166.25/month

Same person same amount of coverage and benefits.

Different strategy.

This is where most people finally exhale.

Diabetes does not disqualify you from good life insurance rates💡

Term Life for Diabetics is Possible — Get Expert GuidanceIf you’ve been declined, quoted sky-high rates, or told guaranteed issue is your only option, a licensed expert can walk you through the smartest life insurance alternatives for Type 1 and Type 2 diabetics.

Tap to Call Now.

It simply means you need:

• The right carrier
• The right strategy
• And a broker who understands diabetic underwriting inside and out

When those three line up, you get:

• Real term life insurance
• At a price that makes sense
• With coverage that actually protects your family

And you stop overpaying for fear‑based policies.

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Talk to a Diabetic Life Insurance Specialist (Without the Sales Circus)

We’re independent.

That means we work for you, not one insurance company.

We’ll:

• Compare the best carriers for diabetics
• Show you your real options
• And help you secure affordable life insurance that actually fits your life

No pressure. No scripts. No nonsense.

Call Maple Valley Insurance Group: 269‑244‑3420
Or request a quote online and we’ll do the heavy lifting.

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Final Takeaway

Term life insurance for diabetics is not only possible—it’s usually affordable when done correctly.

Stop letting bad advice make this harder than it needs to be.

Let’s get you covered the smart way.