39 Comments
Have you had any issues obtaining life insurance because of T1D?
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I answered “no, I have not tried to by life insurance.” But, after thinking more about it, many years ago, maybe in the 1980’s I applied for life insurance with a private company and was denied because I have T1D. No great loss. I was able to buy life insurance through my employer.
Privately, there is not a chance, but fortunately, I work for a company where I could get 2 policies through group plans.
I could’ve gotten it, but it was going to be at least $600/month and thus not worth it. They don’t care what your A1c is, the diagnosis is just marked immediately as high-risk. Not fair!
Yes Ive been denied many times even though I have A1C’s below 6.3 for many years and no other health issues except T1D. I have been accepted but the premiums are exorbitant, no way I could afford them. Very frustrating
Luckily, I got life insurance in my early 20s. My T1D came along in my early 40s. I haven’t tried increasing it because I fear the repercussions of telling them!
When I was working I could get it as a group policy but there was no way of getting it privately without an exorbitantly high premium. Not that I am retired, that is out of the question. Sure wish I had been able to get it but I developed T1 at age 7.
My brother and I (both T1D) were very fortunate that our parents bought life insurance for us before we were each diagnosed. Grateful for the Church member who convinced them it would be a smart idea to do so before we were 6 months old.
No I haven’t
I was refused by most companies. The company who finally insured me charges me a great deal more than average because of my diabetes
As an adult, I was denied several times but my dad got one when I was 11—diabetic from age 7. I shake my head because I have a great A1c and have outlived several friends and family who were considered to have had good health.
I am grateful that I had life insurance prior to my diagnosis (age 40). Different issue, but I was also able to get long term care insurance. Perhaps T1D would like to ask a question regarding long term care insurance.
They do increase your monthly rate over folks that don’t have T1D which is b.s. in my opinion because we see doctors more often.
No never asked for it. I don’t care to deal with businesses whose sole business model is to calculate the rate of return based on interest rates relative to presumed life expectancy, morbidity and severity of claims. Thank you, but I’d rather invest the money my myself.
I had life insurance in place before my LADA diagnosis.
I already had insurance before I got T1D but my daughter was refused till she was 16 then we got it for her (it was because she had diabetes and if you reach age of 16 they figure you are a good bet. I think we had to pay slightly more but not much).
The only way I was able to obtain life insurance was through my employment. At one employer I was able to roll over the life insurance into a personal whole life policy , without medical questions.
Yes. At 23, after the birth of our daughter, I was told I was uninsurable because of T1D dx at the age of 8.
No, I was always insured under my employer’s offerings for insurance
I had life insurance through my employer and independently before I was Dx’ed with T1D. Still have the independent insurance.
Said no because I’ve only ever had life insurance through my employer. I’ve never tried to obtain it independently before.
My mom tried when I was a teen was told my attempt at suicide and my diabetes made it a no go. When in my late 20s I tried when I was eligible through work and was told I couldn’t get the extra beyond the basic because of my diabetes.
The real answer is Yes but I have only thought about and then decided against because I knew I either would be denied or it would cost more. Fortunately I got extra life insurance when I was first diagnosed. Hopefully enough. It’s crazy to think only healthy people can get reasonably priced insurance.
I can’t carry life insurance because I get my health insurance through medicaire because of a disability.
I haven’t tried getting life insurance since my T1D diagnosis, but I have had life insurance through my job everywhere I have worked since my T1D diagnosis since employer offered insurance says they can’t exclude any employees from any of the insurance benefits offered by the company.
I answered no but I applied way back when the only yet major issue is the cost.
I don’t need it ‘cause I don’t have kids & never been married. But years ago I had it free courtesy of my credit union. It was free to any member who wanted it. You also got reimbursed if you lost a hand, more if you lost both hands or a hand and a foot, and so on. No medical exams required. I signed up for it, since it was free. But this is not offered anymore. For many others this is a very important social equity issue that clearly needs attention.
I wouldn’t say I have had issues. I just had to pay a higher premium. But, that was over 25 years ago. I haven’t had life insurance since then.
Yes. I had a smaller life insurance policy through work but wanted more due to some family circumstances. I got it but had to pass a physical and pay quite a bit for it.. thingsa have changed and I lowered the amount and pay less now. I get it though about it being hard for insurance companies.. they have no idea who of us type 1’s are going to have longevity.
Always had it through employers. Now that I am retired, got a cheap reasonable plan with no questions asked from Colonial Penn to cover final expenses. I don’t have kids or family members to worry about who will rely on financial support from me after I am gone to the Hereafter. Anything leftover will go to select .org charitable funds.
I have two policies which will cover me without the need for a medical exam. I purposefully avoid the ones that require a medical exam.
Ancient history, but in the late 1990’s while touring Buckingham Palace in an area with multiple “NO PHOTOGRAPHY” signs, I whipped out my Medtronic to bolus a bit.
Female guard came unglued. She was ready to banish me from the kingdom for taking pictures. And even when provided an explanation, her eldritch manner did not allow for a smile. Must be a requirement of the job. 💂♀️
Oops. Answer posted to the wrong question. Sorry.
When I’ve had employers who offered insurance, I could get it. But, I’ve tried a couple of times privately and was denied without a “by your leave.”
My current employer doesn’t offer any insurance benefits, so I don’t have it. But, as a few others have mentioned, I don’t have kids to worry about! I will likely get the Colonial Penn insurance in a few years because they have the “no questions asked” plan!
I purchased my life insurance before I was diagnosed with diabetes at age 42.
Basic life insurance through work I can get, but if I try to upgrade or purchase a policy outside of work I get denied because of my diabetes. Note, this is even though I have been well controlled for over 50 years with this disease!
Always refused for individual life insurance and Long-Term Care Insurance. T1D since 6 years old for 56 years. The only way to get insurance is to work at a company that offers a group plan that is convertible to a private policy if you resign. Insurance companies are very biased against diabetics. Many of us are much healthier than the average person.
Yes. I was diagnosed in 1996 & my father demanded that a life insurance policy be obtained for me because he was not going to pay for my burial. I was 17. He was not a nice person. I’ve always had trouble getting life insurance, but still have the burial policy, modified & adjusted by me to provide benefits to my heirs 57 years later. ;> )
Yup, vitriolic hostile experience, several times. Once upon a time had an incompetent MD (an internist) who made a series of hostile assumptions (no basis in fact-medical science) who black balled me to a life insurance company. So hostile, the insurance agent got me a copy of the doctors cover letter and worked zealously to eventually find me life insurance and more importantly a NEW physician!!!
I am disabled due to a brain tumor, so my husband has life insurance since he works full time. My brother who is type 1 as well has term life insurance. He never had a problem getting it.