Diabetic husband refused life insurance

princess1984

My husband is 30 and has been diagnosed with type two diabetes since 4.5 years ago. Previously it had been badly controlled, but the last few months he has brought it under control with medication. He has background retinopathy which is the only complication associated with his condition.

We have three children together and no mortgage. We wanted 100,000 life insurance for min 18 years. Aviva refused to quote. Clicked on a link through the diabetes uk page and the lady from there called saying my husbands policy would be £58 per month, mine £8.

My thinking is that his last blood test showed his bloods were 10.8. His next bloods are due in a fortnight. Considering his changes, we are hoping the bloods have lowered. Am I better off waiting for this result and if so where should I try?

the_kentish_maid

My other half is a diabetic and he mananged to get Life insurance through his bank. Yes he has to pay quite a lot but at least hes got insurance.

stephenni1971

the_kentish_maid wrote: »

My other half is a diabetic and he mananged to get Life insurance through his bank. Yes he has to pay quite a lot but at least hes got insurance.

Banks are usually the most expensive route to go for life cover.

If you have any pre existing conditions you should really speak to an adviser who has access to the whole of the market - there can be big differences between insurers for the same condition.

weighty1_2

princess1984 wrote: »

He has background retinopathy which is the only complication associated with his condition.

My thinking is that his last blood test showed his bloods were 10.8. His next bloods are due in a fortnight. Considering his changes, we are hoping the bloods have lowered. Am I better off waiting for this result and if so where should I try?

Both of these issues are red flags to me. Certainly up until recently no mainstream insurer would offer cover to an individual with a hba1c reading over 10 and I'd be surprised if this has changed. Ordinarily, most mainstream companies would want to see at least a couple of readings below this level before they would offer terms, simply to ensure it wasn't a one off better reading. If you husband is only getting his bloods done every 6-months then this can certainly drag things out.

Also, the retinopathy may make it a non-starter even when the bloods are under control. The fact that he is experiencing complications from the diabetes at such a young age would make the underwriters look at offering terms very closely.

In my experience, clients with type 2 diabetes often have height/weight issues as well. Again, this could be a compounding factor which when looked at in addition to the diabetes and retinopathy simply means this isn't within the parameters of what a mainstream insurance company can underwrite.

There is at least one specialist provider who would probably offer terms, however, the cost will be significantly higher than what any mainstream company would charge, even taking into account the loadings which would be applied by a "normal" company. They only offer cover through brokers so I'd recommend seeking the assistance of an IFA or protection specialist. Make sure it is one who is used to dealing with clients who have adverse underwriting issues.

Buzby

I think you are clutching at straws - the normal insurers do not go down the minutiae of how good the last blood results were, it is an either/or choice. The retinopathy result compounds this, and if declared will add to the disinclination to provide cover due to the risk levels.

If he had cover in place before the condition was diagnosed, they would have continued it - but after the event? They'll rate it as playing Russian Roulette with only 1 chamber empty. That said, diabetes isn't the only condition they run miles from - self-inflicted alcoholism or drugs are also on the decline list.

OshayAway

Personally, I wouldn't give up just yet, weighty1 is right on the money. You say that a link through the diabetes uk page has offered £58 per month. Is that an indicative premium including loading or have you actually applied and had these terms offered? Which insurer is it, have you been told?

Some providers have actually relaxed their stance on diabetic lives in the last 6 months but a significant loading would certainly be a best-case scenario from the information you've provided so far.