Learn all your options, the cost, and the best burial insurance companies for people with diabetes.
What Final Expense Insurance Plans Are Available For People With Diabetes?
Whether you have type 1 or type 2, there are a few different funeral insurance plans you can qualify for with diabetes, as shown in the table below. Which ones you’re eligible for is determined by your overall health history.
Most people with diabetes can qualify for a preferred/level benefit with one or more final expense companies. In most cases, if you cannot qualify for a preferred rating, it is because of some health issue(s) other than diabetes.
| Coverage Options | When Death Benefit Pays Out | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Level/Preferred | Immediate (no waiting period) | Lowest price possible |
| Standard | Immediate (no waiting period) | Moderately higher price |
| Partial | Partial coverage in first two years (30% Yr 1, 70% Yr 2) | Moderately higher price |
| Modified | No coverage in first two years (Refund of premiums) | Much higher cost |
| Guaranteed Acceptance | No coverage in first two years (Refund of premiums) | Much higher cost |
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 | Coverage & New Applicant Age Limits | Details About Diabetes |
|---|---|---|
 | Coverage: $2,000-$50,000 Age Range: 45-85 | • Insulin friendly • No complications of any kind • Avoid if diabetic before age 45 |
 | Coverage: $2,000-$50,000 Age Range: 40-89 | • Insulin friendly • Type 1 & 2 friendly • Coma or insulin shock after 2 years • No amputations |
 | Coverage: $5,000-$50,000 Age Range: 45-80 | • Insulin friendly • Type 1 & 2 friendly • Coma or insulin shock after 2 years • No amputations |
 | 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 |
 | Coverage: $5,000-$35,000 Age Range: 50-85 | • Insulin friendly • Type 1 & 2 friendly • No complications of any kind |
 | Coverage: $1,000-$50,000 Age Range: 45-85 | • Insulin friendly • Accepts neuropathy & retinopathy • No amputations, insulin shock, or coma |
 | Coverage: $5,000-$35,000 Age Range: 55-80 | • Insulin friendly • Type 1 & 2 friendly • Amputations, coma, or insulin shock after 2 years |
 | Coverage: $2,500-$50,000 Age Range: 50-85 | • Insulin friendly (after age 50) • No complications of any kind |
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 are 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 & Gender | $5,000 | $10,000 |
|---|---|---|
| Female age 40 | $12 | $21 |
| Female age 45 | $13 | $23 |
| Female age 50 | $14 | $24 |
| Female age 55 | $15 | $28 |
| Female age 60 | $18 | $33 |
| Female age 65 | $22 | $41 |
| Female age 70 | $28 | $53 |
| Female age 75 | $37 | $71 |
| Female age 80 | $50 | $98 |
| Female age 85 | $70 | $136 |
| Female age 89 | $131 | N/A |
| Male age 40 | $14 | $25 |
| Male age 45 | $15 | $27 |
| Male age 50 | $17 | $31 |
| Male age 55 | $20 | $36 |
| Male age 60 | $23 | $43 |
| Male age 65 | $29 | $54 |
| Male age 70 | $37 | $70 |
| Male age 75 | $50 | $97 |
| Male age 80 | $69 | $135 |
| Male age 85 | $91 | $178 |
| Male age 89 | $180 | N/A |
| Source for monthly prices: Choice Mutual quote calculator. Rates valid as of 05/08/2024. | ||
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 aren’t.
That said, below are the various factors that final expense companies consider as they pertain to diabetes.
Understand that if some of these variables apply to you, it doesn’t mean you won’t qualify for an affordable plan or have a waiting period. Companies consider these details when determining your eligibility and the price you’ll pay.
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 45.
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, and 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 about type one diabetes will likely decline you if you say yes.
If you have type one diabetes, it’s best to seek out a company with an application that doesn’t ask about type one diabetes or diabetes at a young age.
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. 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, a modified plan with a waiting period and a higher price is inevitable if it’s been less than two years.
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 who has ever had a diabetic amputation.
With some companies, after it’s been two years since the amputation, you can get level coverage at a low rate and no waiting period.
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, it’s highly probable that you’ll have a 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
Diabetic 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. It’s 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. Furthermore, some companies actually have no guidelines at all. That means you could literally be 600 pounds, and it 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 impact your eligibility.
That’s why speaking with a qualified agent (versus trying to buy online) who can thoroughly assess your situation is recommended. Once an agent knows about your entire health history, they can determine all your options and the specific cost.
Senior burial insurance is not complicated. That said, 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.
- Nationally licensed life insurance agent with over 15 years of experience
- Personal annual production that puts him in the top .001% out of all life insurance agents in the nation.
Anthony Martin is a nationally licensed insurance expert with over 15 years of experience and has personally served over 10,000 clients with their life insurance needs. He frequently authors entrepreneurial and life insurance content for Forbes, Inc.com, Newsweek, Kiplinger, and Entreprenuer.com. Anthony has been consulted as an expert life insurance source for dozens of high-profile websites such as Forbes, Bankrate, Reuters, Fox Business, CNBC, Investopedia, Insurance.com, Yahoo Finance, and many more.
- Nationally licensed life insurance agent with over 19 years of experience
- Best selling Amazon author.
Jeff Root is a nationally licensed life insurance expert with over 19 years of experience. He has personally helped over 3000 clients with their life insurance needs. Jeff is a best-selling Amazon author and the managing partner of a highly successful insurance brokerage that manages over 2,500 licensed insurance agents across the USA. He has been a featured life insurance source for prestigious websites such as Forbes, Bloomberg, MarketWatch, Nerdwallet, and many more.
- Nationally licensed life insurance agent with over 14 years of experience
- Best selling Amazon author of five insurance sales books.
David Duford is a nationally licensed insurance expert with over 14 years of experience. He has personally helped more than 15,000 clients buy life insurance. David has been featured as an expert source for highly authoritative publications such as A.M. Best and Insurancenewsnet. He also runs one of the largest Youtube channels to help aspiring insurance agents serve their clients better.
- Nationally licensed life insurance agent with over 19 years of experience
- Best selling Amazon author.
Jeff Root is a nationally licensed life insurance expert with over 19 years of experience. He has personally helped over 3000 clients with their life insurance needs. Jeff is a best-selling Amazon author and the managing partner of a highly successful insurance brokerage that manages over 2,500 licensed insurance agents across the USA. He has been a featured life insurance source for prestigious websites such as Forbes, Bloomberg, MarketWatch, Nerdwallet, and many more.
- Nationally licensed life insurance agent with over 14 years of experience
- Best selling Amazon author of five insurance sales books.
David Duford is a nationally licensed insurance expert with over 14 years of experience. He has personally helped more than 15,000 clients buy life insurance. David has been featured as an expert source for highly authoritative publications such as A.M. Best and Insurancenewsnet. He also runs one of the largest Youtube channels to help aspiring insurance agents serve their clients better.
Choice Mutual often cites third-party websites to provide context and verification for specific claims made in our work. We only link to authoritative websites that provide accurate information. You can learn more about our editorial standards, which guide our mission of delivering factual and impartial content.
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Insulin shock. https://www.healthline.com/health/diabetes/insulin-shock
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diabetic nephropathy. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/diabetes/diabetic-nephropathy-kidney-disease
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Diabetic neuropathy. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/preventing-problems/nerve-damage-diabetic-neuropathies
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retinopathy. https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/diabetic-retinopathy
