DIABETES & LIFE INSURANCE ~ UNDERWRITING ISSUES  Life Insurance with Diabetes   If you have a history of Diabetes, a broker may still be able to help you obtain life or critical illness insurance - although maybe not on standard terms. There are some critical factors involved that will determine your ability to obtain coverage & your information is always treated with the utmost privacy by the insurer or broker. If however you have not had diabetes but looking now for comprehensive cover to insure youself in the event of critical illness diagnosis of diabetes - then we can help you with a competitive Critical Illness Life Insurance Quote  Critical Illness Insurance Comparison Tables   What is Diabetes ? There are usually 3 main types of Diabetes - Type 1, Type 2 & Gestational Diabetes.    Diabetes Type 1 & Life Insurance  - is a long-term (chronic) condition caused by too much glucose (sugar) in the blood. It is also known as diabetes mellitus. In the UK, diabetes affects approximately 2.3 million people, and it is thought that there are at least 1/2 million more people who have the condition but are not aware of it. Normally, the amount of sugar in the blood is controlled by a hormone called insulin, which is produced by the pancreas (a gland behind the stomach). When food is digested and enters your bloodstream, insulin moves any glucose out of the blood and into cells, where it is broken down to produce energy. However, in those with diabetes type 1, the body is unable to break down glucose into energy. This is because there is either not enough insulin to move the glucose, or because the insulin that is there, does not work properly. Type 1 diabetes occurs when the body produces no insulin at all. It is often referred to as insulin-dependent diabetes. It is also sometimes known as juvenile diabetes, or early onset diabetes, because it usually develops before the age of 40, often in the teenage years. Diabetes Type 2 & Life Insurance  - Occurs when there is too little insulin produced by the body to work, or when the cells in the body do not react properly to insulin. This is called insulin resistance. In many cases, this type of diabetes is associated with obesity. It is sometimes referred to as maturity onset diabetes because it usually develops in people over 40 years of age. However, it is also possible for children as young as seven to develop type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is far more common than type 1 diabetes, which occurs when the body produces no insulin at all. People who are type 2 diabetics make up as much as 95% of all people with diabetes. Someone with type 2 diabetes may be able to control their symptoms just by eating a healthy diet and monitoring their blood glucose levels. However, type 2 diabetes is progressive, so it is possible that they will eventually need to take insulin medication, such as injections. Gestational Diabetes & Life Insurance  - During pregnancy, some women have such high levels of glucose in their blood that their body cannot produce enough insulin to absorb it all. This is known as gestational diabetes, and affects approximately 2% of pregnant women. Pregnancy can also make existing type 1 or type 2 diabetes worse. Gestational diabetes can increase the risk of health problems in an unborn baby, so it is important to keep the levels of glucose in the blood under control. In most cases, gestational diabetes disappears after the baby is born. However, women who develop gestational diabetes are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes later in life. Diabetes & Life Insurance Underwriting  In order to check the type of Diabetes, Insurers are likely to request a GP or Medical Report if you are requesting additional options over and above just pure lifecover. Note non-disclosure of your actual true Diabetes type control, may make any plan claim void & the insurer is not obliged on death for the life insurance payout or to refund any premiums paid if this was deliberately not disclosed.  What do Uk Life Insurance Companies look for - when Underwriting a History of Diabetes ? It would depend on the type of Diabetes and its severity. For Life & Critical lllness Cover, most insurers would view each case on an individual basis before making a decision. However the likely decision for cover maybe a substantial premium rating or even decline. Note that decisions may vary quite dramatically between insurers so please contact us for help & advice. History - What happened in the past? How severe is the diabetic problem now & how does this affect you day to day ? Medical Records - What do your medical records say about you?  Have you developed medical problems as a result of Diabetes ?  If you have already developed associated problems as a result of Diabetes eg; you have a body part amputated then many companies may probably decline life insurance.   Treatment - Have you been for diabetic treatment. What is you level of control ?   Family History - Do you parents or brothers or sisters have a history of Diabetes also? If so what type ? Many companies may probably decline life insurance for people with strong family history of diabetes.  For help with Diabetics issues why not visit  www.diabetes.org.uk or www.diabetes.co.uk * ( * Note: You are now leaving the regulated site of Uk Life Insurance Quotes. Neither ourselves, nor Sesame Ltd, is responsible for the accuracy of the information contained within the linked site.)  Have Diabetes & looking in 2010 to compare Life Insurance products against other Uk Insurers - including Life cover, decreasing (mortgage protection) or level term life insurance, Life with Critical Illness and Income Protection.  > Need a Competitive Life or Critical Illness Insurance Quote ?