Life Insurance with Diabetes in Idaho

Diabetes doesn’t automatically shut the door on life insurance – but it does mean we have to be more strategic.

I’m Chris Antrim, an independent agent in Boise. I help Idaho residents with Type 2 diabetes (and some Type 1 cases) find realistic life insurance options that match their health, budget, and goals.

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How Insurers Look at Diabetes

When you have diabetes, insurance companies care about:

Type – Type 2 vs Type 1
Age at diagnosis – how long you’ve had it
A1C levels – general blood sugar control
Treatment – diet, oral meds, insulin
Complications – neuropathy, kidney disease, vision problems, heart disease, amputations, etc.

Better control = better odds of approval and better pricing.

What I’ll Ask Before We Apply

To match you with the right company, I’ll ask about:

Your type of diabetes (Type 1 or Type 2)
Your most recent A1C (or approximate, if you know it)
What medications you’re on (metformin, other orals, insulin, etc.)
Any diabetes-related complications
Your height, weight, and other conditions (blood pressure, cholesterol, heart issues)

The goal is not to judge – it’s to avoid companies that are a bad fit and focus on those that work with your profile.

Policy Options for People with Diabetes

Depending on your age, control, and complications, we might look at:

Traditional term or whole life – often possible for well-controlled Type 2 with limited complications

Simplified issue policies – where no exam is required but health questions apply

Final expense policies – smaller permanent coverage, easier underwriting

Guaranteed issue – last resort if control is very poor or complications are severe

As a back-up for severe cases: guaranteed issue final expense

As an impaired-risk specialist, I’m used to pairing diabetic clients with companies that understand this condition.

Better-Controlled Diabetes vs Poorly-Controlled

If your diabetes is:

Reasonably controlled
A1C in an acceptable range (for your age and risk profile)
Few or no major complications

You may qualify for:

Traditional term policies
Whole life
Decent pricing and normal coverage amounts

If your diabetes is:

Poorly controlled
Combined with serious complications (heart disease, kidney failure, etc.)

We may need to:

Poorly controlled
Combined with serious complications (heart disease, kidney failure, etc.)

Why You Shouldn’t Wait

With diabetes, time works against you:

The longer you’ve had diabetes, the more likely complications become.
Premiums go up with age.
Getting in place sooner while things are relatively stable is almost always better than waiting.