"How do life insurance underwriters view a person with diabetes?

Life insurance for people with diabetes is often viewed as having a higher risk factor for life insurance by underwriters due to the nature of the condition. Each assessment will be done on an individual basis as there are many factors that need to be taken into account.

The evaluation criteria used by underwriters will also be different because each company has its own requirements. Finding life insurance for people with diabetes will most likely require a medical exam by just about every company when applying for a standard form of insurance policy.

People who were diagnosed with diabetes over the age of 50 are usually diagnosed with Type II diabetes. They generally require a non-insulin oral medication. They will likely get a better rating than someone who was diagnosed before the age of 30. Younger individuals are more likely to have Type I diabetes which requires the use of insulin, and may be at a greater risk in developing heart or kidney complications.

Some of the key criteria that will be looked at by all insurers will likely entail some or all of the following:

  • Your age
  • Type of medication you are taking
  • Determining if any incidents of hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia in the past 6 months
  • Establishing regular visits to endocrinologist
  • Obtaining any available lab or other diagnostic tests
  • Examining your lifestyle
  • Any other medical health

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What are the health risks of diabetes?

Diabetes is also referred to as diabetes mellitus (DM). It is caused by a metabolic imbalance which affects the blood sugar levels. It can occur at any age. Although it is a very treatable medical condition, more sever cases can ultimately result in causing damage to the heart, kidneys and other organs.

There are two types of diabetes. The first is known as Type 1 diabetes which requires the taken of insulin, usually through injections.

The second kind of the condition is called Type II diabetes, which is milder form of the disease, is generally managed through non-insulin oral medication. Although Type II can occur at any age, it is a more common of diabetes that occurs later in life.

The most common indicator of diabetes is hypoglycemia (increased blood sugar), and hypoglycemia (low blood sugar level). Common symptoms associated with this condition include the frequent need to urinate, an increase in hunger and thirst, and weight loss.

Those who have been diagnosed with diabetes under the age of 30 are more at risk at developing additional health complications. A person’s lifestyle can also be very instrumental in the successful management of this condition.

Finding life Insurance with diabetes

Finding life insurance for people with diabetes and how a person is rated can vary quite significantly from company to company. The reason is because each life insurer uses different criteria in their assessment when processing a life insurance application.

Some companies take a more lenient approach in their assessment criteria and in how they rate a person with diabetes. Other companies are more stringent. The differences in assessment approaches can significantly affect how a person is rated, and in the amount of premium.

Criteria such as age, and blood sugar levels are some of the main areas where different insurers diverge and sometimes quite substantially.

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