Learn all your options, the cost, and the best companies for people with diabetes.
Can You Get Burial Insurance With Diabetes?
Yes, people with diabetes can secure an affordable burial policy. Even more, it’s likely that your coverage will not cost extra nor limit the payout of the death benefit during the first two years.
Just because you have diabetes does not mean you will have to take a medical exam. Also, most companies will gladly accept applicants who use insulin.
In the end, your exact coverage options depend upon the details of your diabetes.
What Final Expense Insurance Plans Are Available For People With Diabetes?
There are a few different funeral insurance plans you can qualify for with diabetes.
Whether you have type 1 or type 2, there are always options.
In the table below, you can see the various types of plans available. Which ones you’re eligible for is determined by your health history.
Coverage Options | When Death Benefit Pays Out | Monthly Cost | Health Requirements |
---|---|---|---|
Level/Preferred | Immediate (no waiting period) | Lowest price possible | No exam (Requires health questions) |
Standard | Immediate (no waiting period) | Moderately higher price | No exam (Requires health questions) |
Partial | Partial coverage in first two years (30% Yr 1, 70% Yr 2) | Moderately higher price | No exam (Requires health questions) |
Modified | No coverage in first two years (Refund of premiums) | Much higher cost | No exam (Requires health questions) |
Guaranteed Acceptance | No coverage in first two years (Refund of premiums) | Much higher cost | No exam or health questionnaire |
What Factors Influence Your Coverage Options
First, it’s helpful to remember that all insurance companies have different underwriting standards.
For example, some companies are okay with insulin diabetics, and some will charge you a higher premium.
That said, below are the types of details that will be considered by the different final expense companies.
Understand that if you’ve had some of these issues, it doesn’t mean you won’t qualify for an affordable plan.
If one or more of these conditions applies to you, you will likely have fewer coverage options.
Age of initial diagnosis
Some applications will specifically ask if you were first diagnosed at a certain age. For example, Mutual of Omaha’s burial insurance plan asks if you had diabetes before age 50.
Not all companies ask a question like this, but it does happen.
A yes answer to one of these questions will likely result in a higher premium. It could mean a waiting period.
Don’t be concerned very much with what age your diabetes started. Dozens of carriers simply do not care or ask when your diabetes started.
Type 1 or type 2
Some applications will directly or indirectly ask if you have type one diabetes or type two. Companies that ask this question will likely decline you if you say yes.
Instead, seek out a company with an application that doesn’t ask about type one diabetes.
Insulin usage
Some applications will ask if you’re taking insulin. It’s not common, but some carriers do ask.
A yes answer to this question will usually result in a higher price. For example, Transamerica is a perfect example. They ask about insulin usage. A yes response typically only means you pay a higher premium (you still get no waiting period coverage).
If you’re on insulin, don’t fret. Most final expense companies won’t even ask about it.
Insulin shock
Every single application will ask about insulin shock. Insulin shock is a severe event that could be life-threatening.
Most companies will outright decline anyone who has ever gone into insulin shock.
If it’s been more than two years since this event, you can qualify for a level plan at the lowest rate possible and with no waiting period.
Unfortunately, if it’s been less than two years, you will have a waiting period and a higher price.
Diabetic coma
All final expense applications will ask about diabetic comas. Most of them will decline applicants if they have ever experienced this event.
Thankfully, if it was more than two years ago, you can qualify for a preferred plan. That would mean you pay the lowest rate possible and have immediate first-day coverage.
However, if it’s been less than two years, you’re looking at a much higher premium and a waiting period.
Amputation due to diabetes
A diabetic amputation is another event all final expense life insurance companies will ask about on their application. Most companies will not accept a person with diabetes who has had an amputation.
But there are some great options if it happened more than two years ago. After two years since the amputation, you can get level coverage.
That would mean you have a very low rate policy that doesn’t limit the death benefit payout during the first two years.
Kidney damage
One of the common side effects of diabetes is damage to the kidneys, called diabetic nephropathy.
Sadly, if your kidney function is impaired due to diabetes, you cannot avoid an entire two-year waiting period.
You can still get coverage if you have nephropathy. You’ll just pay a higher premium and endure a two-year waiting period.
Nerve pain or numbness in the hands, feet, or legs
Neuropathy is when you get a tingling or numbness sensation that usually starts in your feet. It can also manifest throughout your legs and your hands.
Most final expense companies consider this condition very high risk. They will usually offer a modified whole life plan that costs extra and has a waiting period.
However, some companies will offer a preferred plan to a person with neuropathy.
Eye damage
Another common diabetic complication is called retinopathy. That is when your eyesight becomes damaged due to your diabetes. Like neuropathy, this usually results in a modified plan with a two-year waiting period.
However, some select companies will still approve you for their lowest price and not make you endure a waiting period.
Height and weight
Most final expense products will ask for your height and weight. They may decline you or charge you a higher premium if you’re too overweight for your height.
Most companies have very lenient guidelines for height and weight. Even more, some companies have no guidelines at all. That means you could literally be 600 pounds, which wouldn’t be an issue.
Your Overall Health Still Matters
It would not be very responsible if we didn’t remind you about your complete health history. All your past health conditions are what genuinely determine your final expense options.
Diabetes is just one part of a final expense insurance application. The health questionnaire with each company will ask about various health conditions.
So remember that your diabetes probably won’t affect your options very much. But your other health issues may or may not.
That’s why it’s recommended to speak with a qualified agent who can thoroughly assess your situation. Once an agent knows about your entire health history, they can determine all options and the specific cost.
Senior burial insurance is not complicated. But dealing with an experienced agency like Choice Mutual will help you find the best deal possible.
Call us at 1-800-644-2926, and one of our licensed agents will calculate all your options in less than 60 seconds.
How Much Does Funeral Insurance With Diabetes Cost?
Final expense insurance quotes are based on your age, health (all your health conditions), gender, state you live in, and the amount of coverage you purchase.
Below you can see some example quotes that most people with diabetes can qualify for.
However, please keep in mind that the details of your health history might mean your price is a little different than what you see in this table.
Age | Female $10,000 Simplified Issue (Monthly Rates) | Female $10,000 Guaranteed Acceptance (Monthly Rates) | Male $10,000 Simplified Issue (Monthly Rates) | Male $10,000 Guaranteed Acceptance (Monthly Rates) |
---|---|---|---|---|
45 | $22 | $28 | $27 | $33 |
50 | $24 | $30 | $30 | $36 |
55 | $27 | $38 | $35 | $45 |
60 | $32 | $42 | $43 | $55 |
65 | $41 | $51 | $54 | $66 |
70 | $51 | $69 | $70 | $89 |
75 | $71 | $98 | $99 | $121 |
80 | $98 | $140 | $139 | $166 |
85 | $135 | $170 | $192 | $230 |
What Are The Best Final Expense Companies For Diabetics?
There are dozens of final expense companies that gladly accept people with diabetes.
They all have different guidelines regarding what they will and will not accept. For example, some carriers will offer life insurance to seniors over 80, and some will not.
No two carriers are the same. That’s why it’s essential to consider multiple companies when shopping for burial insurance.
Below are six of the top carriers to consider. There’s a good chance that the best burial insurance for diabetics will be one of these companies.
Insurance Company | Cost Estimates Female Non Tobacco User $10,000 Coverage | Cost Estimates Male Non Tobacco User $10,000 Coverage | Coverage & New Applicant Age Limits | Policy Type, Length & Product name |
---|---|---|---|---|
Age 50: $24.31 Age 60: $32.87 Age 70: $53.24 Age 80: $98.43 | Age 50: $30.68 Age 60: $43.76 Age 70: $74.61 Age 80: $139.73 | Coverage: $2,000-$40,000 Age Range: 45-85 | • Insulin friendly • No complications of any kind • Avoid if diabetic before age 50 |
|
Age 50: $27.30 Age 60: $40.51 Age 70: $58.19 Age 80: $101.41 | Age 50: $34.39 Age 60: $51.10 Age 70: $73.15 Age 80: $140.26 | Coverage: $2,000-$50,000 Age Range: 40-89 | • Insulin friendly • Type 1 & 2 friendly • Coma or insulin shock after 2 years • No amputations |
|
Age 50: $35.45 Age 60: $39.95 Age 70: $58.25 Age 80: $118.35 | Age 50: $41.35 Age 60: $51.85 Age 70: $77.75 Age 80: $160.05 | Coverage: $7,000-$30,000 Age Range: 50-80 | • Insulin friendly (after age 30) • Type 1 & 2 friendly • Accepts neuropathy & retinopathy • No amputations, insulin shock, or coma |
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Age 50: $26.05 Age 60: $37.22 Age 70: $54.63 Age 80: $122.10 | Age 50: $32.00 Age 60: $47.06 Age 70: $74.53 Age 80: $151.35 | Coverage: $5,000-$35,000 Age Range: 50-85 | • Insulin friendly • Type 1 & 2 friendly • No complications of any kind |
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Age 50: $24.23 Age 60: $32.71 Age 70: $52.88 Age 80: $101.26 | Age 50: $30.55 Age 60: $43.49 Age 70: $69.78 Age 80: $136.34 | Coverage: $1,000-$30,000 Age Range: 45-85 | • Insulin friendly • Accepts neuropathy & retinopathy • No amputations, insulin shock, or coma |
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Age 50: $29.15 Age 60: $35.88 Age 70: $59.13 Age 80: $98.30 | Age 50: $34.52 Age 60: $45.77 Age 70: $79.58 Age 80: $147.96 | Coverage: $1,500-$35,000 Age Range: 50-80 | • Insulin friendly • Type 1 & 2 friendly • Amputations, coma, or insulin shock after 2 years |