At our main Life Insurance for Diabetics resource page, we discuss the primary factors that affect a diabetic’s life insurance premium, which are:
- Type of Diabetes
- Height and Weight
- Average Glucose Reading – Covered in this article.
- Treatment
This is article number 3 in a series of 4, where we discuss how your glucose reading affects your life insurance rate.
How Diabetes Premiums are Calculated – Control and Glucose Levels
Of the many factors considered when pricing a diabetic’s life insurance policy, by far the most important is your average glucose level or hemoglobin a1c level.
That’s because this tells the life insurance company how well controlled your condition is.
What’s a Good Glucose Reading?
Well controlled diabetics should have an average fasting glucose (before breakfast) of less than 130 or 140 mg/dL. I realize on occasion it may spike a bit up to 150 or more, but on average, you want it around 100 to 120 for the very best ratings.
If you don’t know, that’s ok. When you call us for a quote (877-996-9383), just tell us if your doctor says it is well controlled, or not.
A Hemoglobin A1C Test is Even Better!
Perhaps you don’t take your glucose reading regularly. That’s fine as long as you go for regular visits to your doctor, who should perform an A1C test on you.
The A1C is a fantastic test for diabetics because it tells you what your average blood glucose levels are over a long period of time, such as the past 2 to 3 months.
In other words, you may be able to fool a blood glucose test with one low reading, but you won’t be able to fool the A1C test.
For the best Life insurance rates, you’ll want an A1C of lower than 7.0. Standard rates or better may be available, with the normal exceptions (tobacco use, obesity, other health conditions).
If you’re in the 7.1 to 7.5 range, that’s still pretty good and may get you a Standard rating. Once you get beyond 8, you’re probably looking at a pretty severely substandard rating. You may have to pay double to triple the standard rate.
How to Get a Quote
On our home page, write in your average glucose level or A1C (if known). We will specifically take those numbers as well as the other details from the form into consideration before providing a quote. You can also call us for immediate help at 877-996-9383.
We look forward to helping you!
