Life insurance with a high A1C
There is no single A1C number that disqualifies you from life insurance across the board. Different carriers set different thresholds. The number only tells us which door opens, not whether a door opens.
What happens at different A1C ranges
A1C below 7. Most carriers will consider you for standard or preferred rates. This is the healthiest range for a diabetic applicant and the fully-underwritten market opens up.
A1C 7 to 8. Standard or modified-standard rates are common with fully-underwritten carriers. Expect some table rate-ups, especially if there are other health factors in play.
A1C 8 to 9. Many fully-underwritten carriers will still write at a rate-up. Simplified-issue becomes a strong alternative, especially if there are other factors like elevated blood pressure or a higher BMI.
A1C 9 to 10. Fully-underwritten gets harder. A smaller set of carriers still writes here, usually with heavy table ratings. Simplified-issue and no-exam products are often the better path. Final expense and guaranteed-issue policies are available regardless.
A1C above 10. Fully-underwritten is unlikely. Simplified-issue is possible with a few carriers. Guaranteed-issue and final expense policies accept applicants in this range and are the dependable path to coverage.
What else matters at a high A1C
- Trend direction. An A1C that was 11 last year and is 8.5 now looks very different to an underwriter than one that has been climbing. Bring your last two years of readings.
- Complications. Neuropathy, retinopathy, kidney involvement and cardiovascular history matter more than the A1C number alone.
- Age. Carriers accept higher A1C ranges at older ages because the mortality curve is already baked in differently.
- Medications. Being on insulin or a GLP-1 is not automatic. Being on nothing with a high A1C is usually a bigger flag.
What to do if your A1C is high
Call us before you apply anywhere else. A high-A1C application that goes to the wrong carrier comes back as a decline, and that decline sits on your MIB record where other carriers see it. We shop your file privately first and apply once, to the right carrier for your number.
Common questions
Is there an A1C above which no one will insure me?
No. Guaranteed-issue and final expense policies accept applicants at any A1C, including applicants who have never been able to pass a health interview. The face amounts are lower and there is usually a waiting period, but coverage is available.
Can I bring my A1C down and reapply?
Yes, and we often recommend it when the number has been dropping steadily. Six months of improving readings can move you into a better rate class and a wider carrier pool.
Does an A1C from last year count or does the carrier want a current one?
Carriers pull your most recent labs through records requests. Most want to see at least the past 12 to 24 months. A single old reading does not help you much on its own.