Living with a chronic condition like diabetes requires a proactive and thoughtful approach to managing one’s health. This same foresight is equally crucial when it comes to financial planning and ensuring the long-term security of your loved ones. For many of the millions of people in Germany living with diabetes, a common and stressful misconception is that their condition automatically disqualifies them from obtaining meaningful life insurance coverage, or that the costs would be prohibitively expensive. This can lead to a sense of financial vulnerability, leaving families without a crucial safety net to protect them from the financial consequences of an unexpected death.
The reality of the German life insurance market in 2025 is, however, far more nuanced and accessible than many assume. While having diabetes does classify an applicant as having a higher risk, it is by no means an automatic barrier to entry. German insurers have developed sophisticated underwriting processes to accurately assess the individual risk of each applicant. They understand the significant difference between a well-managed, stable diabetic condition and one that is poorly controlled and has led to complications. As a result, it is entirely possible for a person with diabetes to secure a robust and fairly-priced life insurance policy, provided they approach the process with preparation, honesty, and a clear strategy.
This comprehensive guide is designed to serve as a definitive resource for diabetic patients in Germany who are seeking the protection and peace of mind that life insurance provides. We will demystify the underwriting process, explaining exactly what insurers look for when assessing an applicant with diabetes. We will explore the types of policies available, detail the key medical factors that influence your rates, and outline the most effective strategies—including the critical anonymous risk pre-assessment (anonyme Risikovoranfrage)—for finding the best possible coverage. Our goal is to empower you with the knowledge to navigate this landscape confidently, helping you secure a vital financial tool to protect your family’s future.
Key Takeaways
- Coverage is Attainable: Having diabetes (both Type 1 and Type 2) does not automatically disqualify you from getting life insurance (
Risikolebensversicherung) in Germany. - Control is Everything: The single most important factor for insurers is how well your diabetes is managed. A stable, long-term HbA1c value, regular doctor visits, and an absence of complications are key to getting approved at a reasonable rate.
- Higher Premiums are Likely: Applicants with diabetes should expect to pay a risk surcharge (
Risikozuschlag), meaning your premium will be higher than that of a non-diabetic individual of the same age. - The Anonymous Pre-Assessment is Crucial: The most important strategy is to use an independent insurance broker to conduct an anonymous risk pre-assessment (
anonyme Risikovoranfrage). This allows you to get offers from multiple insurers without a formal application, preventing a declination from being registered against your name. - Term Life Insurance is the Primary Goal: For most diabetics, the most suitable and affordable product is a term life insurance policy (
Risikolebensversicherung) to cover specific financial obligations like a mortgage or family income protection. - Honesty is Mandatory: You must be completely honest and thorough when answering the health questions (
Gesundheitsfragen). Any misrepresentation can lead to your policy being voided and the claim denied. - Insurers’ Assessments Vary: Different insurance companies have different underwriting guidelines. One insurer might be more lenient with Type 2 diabetes, while another might have better rates for well-controlled Type 1, making it essential to compare offers.
Why Life Insurance is a Crucial Financial Tool for Diabetics
For individuals living with a chronic health condition like diabetes, the inherent uncertainties of life can feel more pronounced. This makes the security and peace of mind provided by a life insurance policy an even more valuable asset. The primary purpose of this coverage is to provide a tax-free, lump-sum payment to your loved ones in the event of your death. This fund serves as an immediate financial shield, ensuring that your family is not left struggling to cover essential expenses during an already difficult emotional time. It can be used to pay off a mortgage, settle outstanding debts, cover daily living costs, and ensure that a surviving partner or children can maintain their standard of living without financial disruption.
Living with diabetes often involves a lifetime of diligent health management, and it can also bring a heightened awareness of the importance of future planning. A life insurance policy is a powerful tool for securing this future. It guarantees that your financial goals for your family can still be met, even if you are no longer there to provide for them. This includes long-term objectives like funding a child’s university education or ensuring a comfortable retirement for your spouse. For a diabetic patient, putting this protection in place is a profound act of responsibility and care, demonstrating a commitment to your family’s well-being that transcends your own health journey.
Furthermore, a life insurance policy can be specifically tailored to cover final expenses, preventing this burden from falling on your family. The costs associated with a funeral and any final medical bills can be substantial. A smaller, dedicated life insurance policy, such as a funeral cost insurance plan (Sterbegeldversicherung), can provide the necessary funds to cover these immediate costs. This thoughtful planning relieves your loved ones of financial stress at a time of grief, allowing them to focus on honouring your memory. For anyone managing a chronic condition, this final gesture of providing for one’s family offers a unique and powerful sense of peace.
The German Underwriting Process for Applicants with Diabetes
When a person with diabetes applies for life insurance in Germany, they enter a detailed underwriting process where the insurer’s medical experts meticulously assess their individual health risk. The goal of the insurer is not to decline applicants, but to accurately price the risk they represent. This process begins with the health questions (Gesundheitsfragen) on the application, which you must answer with complete accuracy and detail. For diabetics, these questions will be extensive, covering the specifics of your condition.
The underwriter’s evaluation will focus on several key data points to build a comprehensive picture of your health and prognosis. The most critical factor is the degree of control over your diabetes. They will want to see your long-term blood sugar control, primarily measured by your HbA1c value. An HbA1c reading below 7.0% is generally viewed very favorably, indicating excellent management. They will also look for evidence of regular check-ups with your doctor and specialists (Diabetologe), your compliance with prescribed treatments (e.g., insulin, medication), and your own proactive management (e.g., blood sugar monitoring, diet, exercise).
In addition to control, the underwriter will analyze the specifics of your diagnosis. They will consider the type of diabetes (Type 1 or Type 2), with well-managed Type 2 often being viewed slightly more favorably than Type 1. The age at which you were diagnosed is also important; a diagnosis later in life (e.g., Type 2 at age 50) is generally seen as a lower risk than a diagnosis in childhood (Type 1 at age 10). Crucially, they will conduct a thorough search for any diabetes-related complications (Folgeerkrankungen), such as neuropathy (nerve damage), retinopathy (eye damage), nephropathy (kidney disease), or cardiovascular issues. An absence of these complications is a very strong positive factor for your application.
Types of Life Insurance Available for Diabetics in Germany
While having diabetes may limit some options, several types of life insurance are readily accessible in Germany, each serving a different purpose.
Risikolebensversicherung (Term Life Insurance)
This is the most common, affordable, and suitable type of life insurance for the vast majority of applicants, including those with diabetes. A Risikolebensversicherung provides a pure death benefit protection for a fixed period (the “term”), such as 10, 20, or 30 years, with a fixed premium. If you pass away during this term, your beneficiaries receive the payout. If you outlive the term, the policy expires with no value. This makes it an ideal and cost-effective tool for covering financial obligations with a clear endpoint, such as a mortgage, the years until children are financially independent, or a business loan. For a diabetic applicant, this is the primary product to seek.
Berufsunfähigkeitsversicherung (BU) (Disability Insurance)
While not a life insurance policy in the traditional sense, disability insurance is often sold alongside it and is critically important for anyone, especially those with a chronic condition. A BU policy pays you a monthly pension if you are unable to work in your profession due to an illness or accident. Diabetes and its potential complications can be a leading cause of disability. Securing a BU policy can be more challenging than getting term life insurance, but it provides an essential safety net to protect your income during your working years. Some insurers offer this as a combined product with term life insurance.
Sterbegeldversicherung (Funeral Cost / Burial Insurance)
For individuals who may be declined for a standard term life policy due to age or severe health complications, or who only need a small amount of coverage, a funeral cost policy is an excellent alternative. This is a type of small whole life insurance policy with a much lower death benefit (typically €3,000 – €15,000) designed specifically to cover funeral expenses. The underwriting for these policies is much less strict than for term life insurance. Many plans only ask a few health questions, and some are guaranteed issue, meaning approval is granted with no health questions asked, though these come with a waiting period (e.g., 2-3 years) before the full benefit is paid for natural death.
Table 1: Comparison of Policy Types for Diabetics in Germany
| Policy Type | Primary Purpose | Likelihood of Approval | Typical Coverage Amount | Key Feature for Diabetics |
Term Life (Risikolebens...) | Income replacement, mortgage/debt protection. | Good for well-controlled diabetics without complications. | €100,000+ | Provides the largest amount of coverage for the lowest premium. |
Disability (BU) | Protects your income if you become unable to work. | Challenging, depends heavily on control and absence of complications. | Monthly Pension | Protects against the financial impact of diabetes-related work disability. |
Funeral Cost (Sterbegeld...) | Covers funeral, burial, and other final expenses. | Very high, especially for guaranteed issue plans. | €3,000 – €15,000 | Accessible even for those with poorly controlled diabetes or other serious health issues. |
How Diabetes Impacts Your Premiums
When a German insurer approves an application from a person with diabetes, they will almost always apply a risk surcharge (Risikozuschlag). This is an additional percentage added to the standard premium to account for the increased mortality risk associated with the condition. The size of this surcharge is not arbitrary; it is directly correlated with the specific details of your diabetic profile.
The underwriter’s goal is to place you on a spectrum from “very well-managed” to “high-risk.” A 35-year-old with well-controlled Type 1 diabetes (diagnosed at age 15), a stable HbA1c of 6.8%, and no complications might receive an approval with a 75% or 100% surcharge. This means their premium would be 1.75 to 2 times the standard rate. In contrast, a 55-year-old with Type 2 diabetes (diagnosed at age 50), an HbA1c of 6.5%, who is a non-smoker and has no complications, might be viewed as a lower risk and receive a smaller surcharge of 50%.
Conversely, negative factors will significantly increase the surcharge or could lead to a declination. An HbA1c value consistently above 8.0% is a major red flag indicating poor control. The presence of any complications, such as protein in the urine (a sign of kidney issues) or a history of cardiovascular problems, will dramatically increase the risk rating. Being a smoker with diabetes is one of the highest-risk combinations and will result in a very large surcharge, if an offer is made at all. Your ability to demonstrate long-term, stable control and a healthy lifestyle is the most powerful lever you have for securing the lowest possible premium.
Table 2: Key Factors Influencing the Risk Surcharge (Risikozuschlag)
| Factor | Favorable for Lower Premium | Unfavorable for Higher Premium |
| HbA1c Level | Consistently below 7.0% | Consistently above 8.0% |
| Type of Diabetes | Type 2 (generally viewed as slightly lower risk) | Type 1 (generally viewed as slightly higher risk) |
| Age at Onset | Diagnosis later in life (e.g., after age 40) | Diagnosis in childhood or early adulthood |
| Complications | Complete absence of any complications (neuropathy, retinopathy, nephropathy) | Presence of any diabetes-related complications |
| Control & Compliance | Regular doctor visits, documented self-monitoring, healthy lifestyle | Infrequent check-ups, poor compliance with treatment |
| Other Risk Factors | Non-smoker, healthy weight, normal blood pressure | Smoker, obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol |
Best Life Insurance Providers and Strategies for Diabetics in Germany (2025)
For a person with diabetes in Germany, the “best provider” is not a single company, but rather the company whose specific underwriting guidelines are most favorable to their individual health profile. The most critical strategy is not to apply directly to insurers on your own. Instead, you must work through an independent insurance broker (unabhängiger Versicherungsmakler) who specializes in clients with pre-existing medical conditions.
This broker will utilize the single most important tool at your disposal: the anonymous risk pre-assessment (anonyme Risikovoranfrage). In this process, the broker prepares your detailed, anonymized medical information and submits it to a wide range of insurance companies (often 10-15 or more) simultaneously. The insurers then review the anonymous file and provide a preliminary, non-binding decision: an approval with a specific premium, a request for more information, or a declination. This process is crucial because these inquiries are not officially recorded in the central insurance information system (HIS-Wagnisdatei). This prevents a declination from one company from negatively impacting your chances with another, which can happen if you apply directly and are rejected.
While the broker is the key, it is helpful to know some of the major, financially strong insurers in Germany that are known for their robust and fair underwriting processes. A good broker will typically approach companies like:
- Allianz: As one of the world’s largest insurers, they have vast underwriting experience and can be competitive.
- LV 1871: A highly respected mutual insurer known for its expertise in disability and life insurance and often praised for its detailed underwriting.
- HDI: Another major player in the German market with a reputation for solid and reliable products.
- Die Bayerische: Known for its innovative products and flexible solutions.
- Canada Life: A provider with a strong presence in Germany that is sometimes known for competitive underwriting on certain profiles.
The broker’s role is to take the various offers received from these (and other) companies, compare the premiums and policy terms, and present you with the best available option, allowing you to proceed with a formal application to the company that has already given a favorable preliminary decision.
Case Studies: Real-World Scenarios for Diabetics
To understand how this process works, consider these hypothetical examples.
Case Study 1: The Well-Controlled Type 1 Diabetic
- Profile: Anna, a 35-year-old software developer with Type 1 diabetes, diagnosed at age 12. She uses an insulin pump, checks her blood sugar regularly, and has maintained an HbA1c between 6.5% and 7.0% for the past five years. She is a non-smoker, has a healthy BMI, and has no complications. She needs a €250,000 policy to secure a mortgage.
- Action: Anna works with an independent broker who conducts an anonymous pre-assessment with 12 insurers.
- Outcome: She receives several favorable offers. The best offer comes from an insurer who applies a 100% risk surcharge, doubling the standard premium. She proceeds with the formal application and is approved, securing the crucial coverage she needs to buy her home.
Case Study 2: The Recently Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetic
- Profile: Michael is a 52-year-old architect who was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes two years ago. He has successfully managed his condition with diet, exercise, and Metformin. His latest HbA1c was 6.2%. He wants a €150,000 policy to protect his wife’s income until retirement.
- Action: His broker submits his profile, emphasizing his excellent control and recent diagnosis.
- Outcome: Because his diabetes is well-managed, was diagnosed later in life, and he has no other major risk factors, he receives an offer with a very low risk surcharge of only 50%. This makes his premium very affordable.
Case Study 3: The Applicant with Complications
- Profile: Peter is a 60-year-old with a long history of poorly controlled Type 2 diabetes. His HbA1c is 8.5%, and he has been diagnosed with mild neuropathy. He is seeking a €50,000 term life policy.
- Action: The anonymous pre-assessment is conducted.
- Outcome: Due to the combination of poor control and an existing complication, all insurers decline to offer him a standard term life policy. His broker advises him that his best option is a
Sterbegeldversicherung(funeral cost insurance) with simplified health questions. He qualifies for a €10,000 policy, ensuring his final expenses are covered.
FAQs Section
1. What is the most important medical value for getting life insurance with diabetes?
Your long-term HbA1c value is the single most important number. It provides the insurer with a clear, objective measure of your blood sugar control over the past few months. A stable value below 7.5%, and ideally below 7.0%, is critical.
2. What is an anonyme Risikovoranfrage and why is it so important?
It is an anonymous risk pre-assessment. An independent broker submits your health data to multiple insurers without your name. This allows you to get real offers without the risk of a formal declination being recorded in a central database, which could harm future applications. It is the essential first step for anyone with a pre-existing condition in Germany.
3. Will insurers check my medical records?
Yes. As part of the formal application process, you will be required to sign a release (Schweigepflichtentbindung) that allows the insurer to request records from your doctors to verify the information you provided in the health questionnaire.
4. I have gestational diabetes during pregnancy. Does that count?
If the gestational diabetes completely resolved after pregnancy and your blood sugar levels returned to normal, most insurers will not hold it against you. However, you must disclose it, and they will want to see medical records confirming it has resolved.
5. How much more expensive is life insurance for a diabetic?
It depends entirely on your individual profile. A very well-controlled diabetic might pay a risk surcharge of 50-75% (1.5 to 1.75 times the standard rate). A diabetic with more risk factors might pay a surcharge of 150-200% (2.5 to 3 times the standard rate).
6. Is it better to get a policy with a fixed Selbstbeteiligung (deductible)?
Life insurance (Risikolebensversicherung) does not have a deductible. You pay a premium, and your beneficiary receives the full death benefit. Deductibles are a feature of health or property insurance.
7. Can I get Berufsunfähigkeitsversicherung (Disability Insurance) with diabetes?
It is much more challenging than getting term life insurance. Approval depends heavily on your age, occupation, and the absolute absence of any diabetes-related complications. Many applications are declined, making the anonymous pre-assessment process even more critical for this type of insurance.
8. Should I wait to apply until my HbA1c improves?
If your HbA1c is currently high but you are actively working with your doctor to lower it, it is often a good strategy to wait 6-12 months. Applying with a documented history of improved, stable control will result in a much better offer. However, remember that you will be a year older, which will also slightly increase the base premium.
9. What happens if I am declined for term life insurance?
If you are declined for a standard Risikolebensversicherung, your best alternative is to apply for a Sterbegeldversicherung (funeral cost insurance). These policies have much more lenient underwriting or are guaranteed issue, making them accessible to almost everyone, albeit with lower coverage amounts.
10. Do I need a German broker, or can I use one from my home country?
You absolutely must use a licensed and experienced independent insurance broker based in Germany. They understand the specific products, laws, and underwriting nuances of the German market and have established relationships with the local insurance companies.
Conclusion
Living with diabetes in Germany presents a unique set of challenges and responsibilities, but securing the financial future of your family should not be one of them. The belief that a diabetes diagnosis closes the door to life insurance is a pervasive myth that can prevent individuals from seeking the vital protection their families deserve. The German insurance market is sophisticated and capable of making nuanced assessments, recognizing that a well-managed diabetic can be a perfectly acceptable risk. The key to unlocking this opportunity lies in a strategic, well-prepared, and transparent approach to the application process.
The path to a successful outcome is clear and proven. It begins with a steadfast commitment to managing your health, as a documented history of stable blood sugar control is the most powerful asset you bring to the underwriting table. It then proceeds not by approaching insurers directly, but by engaging the expertise of an independent broker who can navigate the market on your behalf. The use of an anonymous risk pre-assessment is the non-negotiable cornerstone of this strategy, allowing you to gather competitive offers without jeopardizing your future eligibility. This process transforms what can be an intimidating ordeal into a controlled and empowered search for the best possible coverage.
We encourage every diabetic patient in Germany who has dependents or financial obligations to explore their life insurance options with renewed confidence. Your condition does not define your insurability; your management of it does. By taking the steps outlined in this guide, you can overcome the hurdles, find a policy that fits your needs and budget, and put in place the profound peace of mind that comes from knowing your loved ones are protected, no matter what the future holds.
