Best Life Insurance for Diabetics (2026)

The best life insurance for diabetics depends on how much coverage you need and how your diabetes is managed. If you want traditional term or permanent coverage, John Hancock Aspire is built for people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. If you'd rather skip the exam, Foresters PlanRight is simplified issue whole life that uses health questions instead. If you can't qualify with health questions, Mutual of Omaha, Gerber Life, Corebridge and Colonial Penn sell guaranteed acceptance plans for smaller amounts.

We're a matching service, not an insurer; licensed agents we connect you with may offer policies from some of these companies. See how we review companies.

How did we choose these companies?

We compared six companies that sell coverage people with diabetes commonly look at, using only what each company, its rating agencies and the NAIC publish. For each one we looked at:

• Fit for diabetics: a published diabetes program, or an underwriting path (simplified or guaranteed issue) that doesn't require an exam.
• Issue ages and coverage limits: the youngest and oldest ages and the smallest and largest face amounts.
• Waiting periods and riders: any graded benefit in the first years, and living benefits such as accelerated death benefits.
• Financial strength: AM Best, S&P, Moody's or Fitch ratings, with dates.
• Complaints: 2025 individual life complaint indexes from the NAIC Consumer Insurance Search, data as of September 29, 2026.

We don't give star ratings or scores, and no company paid to be included. None of these companies publishes the rate class it would give a diabetic applicant, so we don't guess. Underwriting varies by insurer and is decided when you apply. The full criteria are on our methodology page.

How do the six companies compare?

This table uses each company's published terms. Ratings are financial strength opinions, not reviews of customer service. A complaint index of 1.00 is the national baseline.

Which companies stand out, and for what?

Each pick below is a strong option for one kind of buyer, based on the company's published terms. None is right for everyone.

John Hancock Aspire: traditional coverage with a diabetes program

John Hancock is a strong option if you want larger term or permanent coverage and are willing to go through full underwriting. Its Aspire page says the program is for people living with type 1 or type 2 diabetes and offers extra Vitality points for diabetes management, plus discounts on healthy food, fitness devices and travel.

Aspire comes with policies that include the John Hancock Vitality program. John Hancock says Vitality PLUS can save up to 25% compared with the same policy without it, depending on underwriting, issue age, policy type and the Vitality status you reach. Vitality PLUS costs 3% of your annual premium on term policies with the optional Vitality rider, or $2 a month on single-life permanent policies. John Hancock Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.) had a 2025 individual life complaint index of 0.30.

Caution: Aspire is not available in New York, and the savings aren't guaranteed. You earn them by taking part in the program. John Hancock doesn't publish how it rates specific A1C results, so your rate class is set at application.

Foresters PlanRight: simplified issue with no exam

Foresters PlanRight is a strong option if you want to avoid needles and a paramedical visit but can answer health questions. It is whole life for ages 50 to 85, with $5,000 to $35,000 of coverage. Foresters says it is underwritten on a simplified issue basis using your answers, underwriting searches and review, with no bloodwork, saliva swabs or paramed visits.

PlanRight has level premiums, guaranteed cash value, coverage to age 121, and an accelerated death benefit rider for terminal illness at no extra premium. Foresters says AM Best rated it A (Excellent) on October 10, 2025, with a stable outlook. Its 2025 individual life complaint index was 1.63, above the 1.00 baseline.

Caution: Your health answers decide whether you qualify and on what terms. Foresters doesn't publish how diabetes questions affect the result, and the plan is not for use in Oregon.

Mutual of Omaha: guaranteed coverage from age 45

Mutual of Omaha's whole life page describes coverage with no medical exam or health questions for ages 45 to 85 (50 to 75 in New York), with benefits of $2,000 to $25,000 ($5,000 to $25,000 in Washington). Premiums are guaranteed not to increase, and it says you can apply in as little as 5 minutes. It is underwritten by United of Omaha Life Insurance Company.

Mutual of Omaha's financial strength page lists United of Omaha at A+ from S&P and AM Best and A1 from Moody's, all with a stable outlook. United of Omaha's 2025 individual life complaint index was 0.78.

Caution: The page doesn't spell out the early-years payout for a death from illness. Ask for the graded benefit terms in writing before you buy.

Gerber Life: guaranteed acceptance with clear graded terms

Gerber Life Guaranteed Life is whole life for ages 50 through 80 (up to 75 in New York) with no medical exam or health questionnaire. All Guaranteed Life policies on one person are limited to $25,000 combined ($15,000 in South Dakota), and the product isn't sold in Montana.

If you die of anything other than an accident in the first two years, the policy pays 110% of earned premiums; the full benefit applies after that. Western & Southern announced on February 9, 2024, that AM Best upgraded Gerber Life to A+ (Superior). Its 2025 individual life complaint index was 1.70.

Caution: Gerber Life won't issue a policy if a power of attorney or guardianship exists for the person to be insured.

Corebridge: guaranteed issue with living benefits included

Corebridge Guaranteed Issue Whole Life, issued by American General Life, covers ages 50 to 80 for $5,000 to $25,000 with no exam or health questions. A natural death in the first two years pays 110% to 120% of premiums paid, and an accidental death pays the full amount.

Living benefits are included at no extra cost: a terminal illness benefit of 50% of the death benefit, and a chronic illness benefit that returns premiums paid. Corebridge's ratings page, updated April 8, 2026, lists American General Life at S&P A+, Moody's A2, AM Best A and Fitch A+, with AM Best under review and S&P on CreditWatch Negative.

Caution: American General Life's 2025 individual life complaint index was 2.84. The plan isn't sold in New York or Maine, and premiums paid may exceed the coverage amount.

Colonial Penn: guaranteed acceptance up to age 85

Colonial Penn Guaranteed Acceptance is an option if you are past 80 and can't qualify for a plan with health questions. It covers ages 50 to 85 in most states with no health questions or physical. Coverage is sold in units, up to 25, and the benefit per unit depends on your age, gender and state. There is a two-year limited benefit period and a 30-day try-it-on period for a full refund.

Caution: Colonial Penn's 2025 individual life complaint index was 5.46, the highest in this group. Because coverage is sold in units, ask for the actual dollar benefit at your age before you compare.

How should diabetics compare quotes?

Start with your health details, because they decide which kind of policy you can get. Then compare price and terms among those options.

1. Gather your records. Have your type of diabetes, age at diagnosis, medicines, and your last few A1C results ready. Our guide to A1C and life insurance rates explains how insurers generally read them.
2. Try traditional or simplified issue first. A guaranteed plan is a fallback. See our guide to guaranteed issue vs. simplified issue.
3. Tell each company the same facts. Insulin, pumps and CGMs come up on most applications. Read life insurance for diabetics on insulin if that applies to you.
4. Compare the same coverage amount. Unit-based and fixed-amount plans are hard to compare otherwise.
5. Read the graded terms in writing. Know what a natural death in years 1 and 2 would pay.
6. Check the company. Look up its exact legal name on the NAIC Consumer Insurance Search for current complaint data.

For the full picture, read our guide to life insurance for diabetics, see type 1 vs. type 2 diabetes and life insurance, or, if you mainly want to cover a funeral, final expense insurance for diabetics. You'll find every guide on the diabetes life insurance hub.