Type 1 diabetes occurs when the body is unable to produce insulin. This is also called juvenile diabetes as the onset in most cases occurs in childhood.
From a life insurance point of view, type 1 diabetes presents a real challenge because of the collateral health issues that can occur, and eventually do occur in most cases. The fact that the diabetes itself, in the absence of any other issues, carries a mortality risk is cause for careful underwriting.
When the risk of diabetes, and the fact that the onset is almost always at a young age, is coupled with some fairly severe collateral health issues, well, cautious would be a good way to describe the underwriting.
Like type 2 diabetes, what life insurance underwriters are going to look for is careful monitoring, compliance and control. It is not uncommon for some with type 1 diabetes to monitor their blood sugars 2-5 times daily. Those who just check it every day or two are taking a risk of having extreme highs and lows in glucose level. The highs are what cause collateral issues such as kidney function problems, neuropathy and retinopathy. Any radical swing to the high or low end can cause diabetic shock or coma.
Compliance with your doctor is critical. Injecting insulin when you don’t feel right is not what the doctor ordered. Injections based on frequently monitored glucose levels are the key. Avoid the highs and lows and keep the control that your body needs to stay healthy longer.
Type 1 diabetes can be a rough road, and in the best case it is a 2nd job. It takes time and effort to avoid life changing and life threatening complications.
Given compliance and control, reasonable rates for life insurance can be found for people with type 1 diabetes.
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More information about diabetes