John, Author at My Family Life Insurance

If you currently have or have had gestational diabetes, were you declined or postponed for life insurance?

Yes, John. I applied for life insurance after giving birth to my child. The carrier approved my application, but they rated my policy very high. Are there better options?

The short answer: yes. If you’ve been diagnosed with gestational diabetes, you might be wondering:

Will it affect my ability to get life insurance?
Does it mean I’ll pay higher premiums forever?
What if the diabetes resolved after pregnancy?

While most companies align on how they underwrite women with a gestational diabetes history, some also will table rate applications or even decline applications altogether.

Not to worry, though! The good news is that we have helped many women who have (or had) gestational diabetes, even if they have been rated or declined before!

In this guide, we discuss everything you need to know about how gestational diabetes affects your life insurance options and premiums. We discuss underwriting guidelines to real-world case scenarios — and how you can position yourself for the best possible life insurance rates.

Here is what we will discuss:

Life Insurance and Gestational Diabetes Summary (If You Can Only Read One Section)
How Life Insurance Companies Underwrite People With Gestational Diabetes
How Does Gestational Diabetes Affect Life Insurance Premiums?
Case Studies of Women with Gestational Diabetes History Obtaining Life Insurance
Life Insurance Options for People with Gestational Diabetes
Estimated Life Insurance Costs for People with Gestational Diabetes
Life Insurance Application Process for People with Gestational Diabetes
Frequently Asked Questions about Life Insurance and Gestational Diabetes
Final Thoughts

We will start with a summary of our article, but to deep-dive into our guide, please start with our underwriting section, as underwriting (i.e., how companies analyze your health history and background) is the basis for approval or denial.

Life Insurance and Gestational Diabetes Summary (If You Can Only Read One Section)

If you are only going to read one section, read this summary:

Most carriers do not treat gestational diabetes the same as Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, especially if glucose normalizes postpartum and you’ve had normal labs since.
If you apply during pregnancy or within the first several months postpartum, carriers may postpone a final decision until they can see postpartum A1c and fasting glucose results. Not all carriers underwrite the same, so it’s best to contact us to learn about your options.
Your long-term health profile drives price. A family history of diabetes increases lifetime risk for Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, and underwriters know this. Gestational diabetes also increases your chances of type 2 diabetes in the future. Demonstrating normal weight, stable blood pressure, normal A1c (usually <5.7% is ideal), and a healthy lifestyle helps mitigate that risk.
Documentation wins. Keep copies of glucose tolerance test results, postpartum follow-up notes, A1c labs, and primary care visits. The clearer your paper trail, the smoother the underwriting (generally speaking).
When you apply can matter – if you apply within a year of gestational diabetes, and it is resolved, you may be looking at standard rates. Beyond a year, some carriers offer the best health class available, while others limit the best rate class available (for example, the preferred class is typically the best health class available). Note: We are one of the few brokers that work with carriers offering the best rates, regardless of when your glucose levels return to normal.
You have life insurance options. From traditional term/whole life to simplified issue and guaranteed issue, there’s almost always a path to coverage. We are also one of the few brokers that offer guaranteed issue (or almost guaranteed issue) life insurance at higher death benefits, provided you work full-time. These plans act as a “bridge” until you can qualify for something better.

The moral of all this: we can get you life insurance, even if it is a bridge until your blood sugar levels normalize and you qualify for something better. Feel free to contact us with any questions. Nevertheless, our goal is to secure the best rate possible for you, tailored to your specific situation.

How Life Insurance Companies Underwrite People With Gestational Diabetes

Underwriting is the process of examining a risk and then determining whether to accept it (i.e., insure it) or decline it altogether.

With life insurance, underwriters assess your risk of dying prematurely (based on similar profiles of applicants).

In general, underwriters look at a whole host of factors, including, but not limited to:

your gender
nicotine and marijuana use
overall health history and current medical conditions (if any)
driving history
lifestyle history (like hazardous hobbies, substance abuse history, etc.)
bankruptcy / lien history
anything else the underwriter deems material to a decision
review of a paramedical exam (includes a mini-physical exam with blood and urine sample)

What Underwriters Look For With Gestational Diabetes

Regarding gestational diabetes and life insurance, underwriters will review:

The Gestational Diabetes diagnosis itself:

Date of diagnosis and the pregnancy stage in which it occurred.
Whether it was diet-controlled or required medication/insulin.
Any additional pregnancy complications (pre-eclampsia, high blood pressure, macrosomia, preterm birth, C-section).

Current metabolic health:

Postpartum fasting glucose and A1C results.
Whether hyperglycemia persisted beyond 6–12 weeks postpartum.
Weight/BMI trends and blood pressure. (Review of pre-pregnancy weight, maxpregnancy weight, and post-pregnancy weight)

Medical follow-up and compliance:

Did you complete the postpartum check 4–12 weeks after birth?
Are you having periodic A1c checks (often every 6–12 months for several years postpartum)?
Lifestyle documentation: nutrition counseling, exercise routine, and weight changes.

Family history and co-morbidities:

Family history of diabetes or premature cardiovascular disease.
Any history of gestational diabetes?
Lipid profile, thyroid issues, or gestational hypertension.

Time since childbirth:

Many carriers prefer to see at least one normal postpartum A1c test and may want 12 months or longer of stability before offering their best rate classes.

Life insurance underwriters analyze your entire medical history and any lifestyle or hazardous factors (such as hazardous occupations, hobbies, or a bad driving history). As I mentioned earlier, carriers may require a mini-medical exam (i.e., a paramedical exam) that includes blood and urine samples. People call this exam “medical underwriting” because the underwriting consists of your actual/true vital information. However, some carriers may not require a medical exam. Whether they request one from you or not depends on your overall health situation.

However, carriers will likely order your doctor’s records to confirm the diagnosis, treatment, and recovery of gestational diabetes.

Here’s Why Life Insurance Companies Are Cautious

John, why are companies giving me a table-rated offer? My gestational diabetes cleared up a few months ago! It was just a temporary condition!

Here’s why: A history of gestational diabetes indicates a higher risk of Type 2 diabetes. It’s true. According to the National Institute of Health, women who have had gestational diabetes have a higher risk of type 2 diabetes. The probability varies, with some studies indicating a 50% to 70% chance. Regardless of the actual percentage, the studies indicate a higher type 2 diabetes risk. Life insurance companies know this. Carriers price this risk into your classification.

Underwriters will likely want to know:

How elevated your pregnancy glucose was (i.e., your A1c levels)
Whether insulin was required, and
If you’ve returned to normal glucose levels and maintained them.

This is a good time to discuss our next section, how gestational diabetes affects life insurance rates.

How Gestational Diabetes Affects Life Insurance Premiums

In this section, we discuss the underwriting outcomes (estimated) and corresponding premium classifications. The following estimates are based on our work with underwriters to find the best life insurance rates for our clients. Actual results are on a case-by-case basis.

Currently Pregnant with Gestational Diabetes (Diet-Controlled)

Most carriers will postpone an application until after delivery and postpartum lab results
Some may approve coverage now at a table rating and possibly then reconsider after postpartum labs.

Currently Pregnant with Gestational Diabetes (Medication or Insulin Required)

Most carriers will postpone an application until after delivery and postpartum lab results
Some may approve coverage now at a table rating and possibly then reconsider after postpartum labs
Could have table-rated because of the insulin use

3–12 Months Postpartum with Normal Labs

If A1c <5.7% and fasting glucose is normal, BMI is in a healthy range, and no complications, most companies will insure you at standard rating
Healthy blood pressure and lipid profiles help.

12+ Months Postpartum with Consistently Normal Labs and Healthy BMI

Best rate could be possible (i.e., preferred or even preferred best) if all else looks excellent.
The longer the stretch of normal labs, the better.

Most companies offer the best life insurance rates after a year of being cleared of gestational diabetes.

Postpartum with Evidence of Diabetes

If you continue with high blood sugar, expect a table rating. Other websites claim that you can obtain standard rates, but that is highly unlikely.
Lifestyle improvements and better lab results over time can enhance your life insurance options and lead to more favorable rates.

We offer life insurance options with the best available rates, provided your gestational diabetes resolves.

Case Studies Where We Have Helped Women with Gestational Diabetes Obtain Life Insurance

Here are examples of how we have helped women obtain life insurance despite a history of gestational diabetes. Please note that your situation will be different.

Case 1: Gestational Diabetes, Resolved 4 months after birth, Healthy Lifestyle

32-year-old woman who had gestational diabetes in her first pregnancy 2 years prior. The gestational diabetes was resolved about 4 months postpartum, with her A1C normal since then. Her BMI is 23.

We got her the best life insurance rate available (in her case, Preferred rating) because she demonstrated a return to good health, BMI, and no other major risk factors.

Case 2: Gestational Diabetes with a Family History of Diabetes

36-year-old woman, who had gestational diabetes in her second pregnancy. Her gestational diabetes cleared up; however, she has a family history of diabetes. She was overweight with a BMI of 30.

Most companies offered a table rating as the likely best scenario. We were able to find a carrier that offered a standard rating.

Case 3: Gestational Diabetes That Progressed to Type 2 Diabetes

40-year-old woman who had gestational diabetes, but she is now diagnosed with type 2 diabetes requiring medication (Metformin).

The best we could find was a carrier offering a table-rated option. I know other websites suggest that a standard rating is possible for people with type 2 diabetes, but that rating was not an option in her specific situation.

Case 4: Woman Currently Pregnant with Gestational Diabetes

A 27 year-old woman with current gestational diabetes. Most companies postponed an application until after birth.

I am aware that some life insurance companies could accept an application and offer coverage, but the premiums would be very high in such a case.

She was employed and working full-time. We are one of the few brokers that offer 3 or 4 guaranteed issue plans with death benefits ranging from $50,000 to $80,000, provided you are gainfully employed full-time. We placed her in a few plans during her pregnancy and re-evaluated her once she gave birth and the gestational diabetes had dissipated.

Hopefully, these case studies illustrate what is possible. Remember, though, your situation and outcome will likely be different.

Life Insurance Options for Women with a History of Gestational Diabetes

This is a relatively short section. Women with a history of gestational diabetes can obtain many types of life insurance policies, provided they are in good health and have no serious health issues.

Term Life Insurance – good for temporary coverage, like the unexpected death of a parent or spouse, a mortgage, college funding, etc. Some carriers offer living benefits, which I do recommend for added protection.

Whole Life Insurance – lasts your “whole life”. Contains cash value, which you can borrow. Some plans offer living benefits. You will pay higher rates for whole life insurance for the same death benefit as term life insurance, all things being equal. The reason is that the carrier already factors your death into the premiums (i.e., a guaranteed death benefit).

Universal Life – This is a more flexible life insurance policy. Generally speaking, premiums, cash value, and the death benefit are not guaranteed; however, many carriers nowadays offer these guarantees to attract policyholders. Indexed universal life (IUL) is, hands down, the most popular type of universal life. Some companies also offer living benefits. If you are interested in universal life or an IUL, please get in touch with us, as you need to understand how universal life works before enrolling.

Not Your Typical Guaranteed Issue Life Insurance

Guaranteed Issue Life Insurance – these types of plans offer life insurance with no (or very limited) underwriting. So, you apply, and then you have life insurance. However, I am not talking about the typical $25,000 guaranteed issue life insurance that you can read about anywhere. I am talking about guaranteed issue, or almost guaranteed issue, with relatively higher death benefits. Here are a few options we work with, depending on state availability and subject to change:

$50,000 term to age 80
$50,000 term to age 121
Up to $80,000 whole life insurance

If you are gainfully employed and working more than 20 hours per week, then these plans are available to you (subject to state availability). These plans can provide a “bridge” until you qualify for something better. Please contact us if you are interested.

Estimated Life Insurance Costs for Women with Gestational Diabetes

If you would like to see what life insurance costs could be, feel free to use our quoter below. Note: the quoter below is for term life insurance. If you would like to see the cost for whole life, IUL, or some of the guaranteed issue options, please reach out to us.

A few things to remember:

The actual premium depends on your overall situation.

The quote is just a quote, giving you an idea of what costs could be.

Remember, we have carriers that will offer the best rate class, no matter when your gestational diabetes clears up.

Life Insurance Application Process If You Have Gestational Diabetes

We have a simple life insurance application process here at My Family Life Insurance. If you are interested and want to apply with us,

Contact us – either a phone call, the quoter above, the form below, or our contact form

Tell us your situation, including your health information – let us know you had gestational diabetes. We would need to know:

your current weight
your max weight at pregnancy
what was your A1C during pregnancy
when did your A1C normalize (if it did)
medication you took
any other health conditions

Carrier Selection – based on your situation, we contact life insurance companies for an estimated quote. We include those carriers that will offer the best health class, no matter when your gestational diabetes clears up. We review the quotes with you.

Apply – You apply with the selected company. As mentioned earlier, underwriters may require a medical exam and order your doctor records.

Approval – if all checks out with the information you provided to us, expect approval.

Frequently Asked Questions About Gestational Diabetes and Life Insurance

Here are some frequently asked questions with answers about life insurance and gestational diabetes.

Will carriers treat me as “diabetic” forever because I had gestational diabetes?

No. If your gestational diabetes has resolved after delivery and subsequent labs are normal, most underwriters treat it as a resolved pregnancy condition with the possible risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the future. Your current labs and vitals carry the most weight.

How long should I wait after delivery to apply?

First thing: you shouldn’t wait, as anything could happen at any time. However, many applicants wait until they have at least one normal postpartum A1c (often 4–12 weeks postpartum) and sometimes 3–6 months of documented stability. At that point, the best rates might be possible. As we noted, we have a few carriers that don’t really consider your gestational diabetes as long as it is cleared up. We utilize those carriers first.

Do I need a medical exam?

It depends on the carrier, death benefit amount, and your overall situation. Fully underwritten policies sometimes require a brief paramedical exam (blood, urine, vitals). No-exam options exist, but they usually cost more. Most insurance providers want to avoid the paramedical exam as it costs them money. Additionally, underwriting improvements in recent years (e.g., LexisNexis Risk Classifier score, MIB, Labpiqture) allow companies to potentially forgo the medical exam altogether.

Does needing insulin during pregnancy doom my chances?

Not usually. Underwriters may scrutinize your application more closely, but strong postpartum numbers and a healthy BMI can offset much of the concern. Some carriers will still offer competitive rates over time. The best way to find out is to contact us so we can conduct a risk assessment before you apply. That way, you have a good idea of what to expect during the application process.

What if I plan more pregnancies?

A history of gestational increases the chance of recurrence. From a life insurance standpoint, locking in coverage before another future pregnancy can be smart. If your current labs are strong, apply now and keep the policy through future pregnancies.

Are there carriers that “specialize” in gestational diabetes?

There isn’t a single universal winner, but there are carriers more lenient on gestational diabetes—especially for diet-controlled cases with normal postpartum labs. That’s where working with an independent broker like My Family Life Insurance pays off.

Can I improve my rates later?

Yes. You can re-shop your life insurance coverage after 6–12 months of improved labs and health metrics. It’s common to accept a “good enough” policy now and upgrade later. As we mentioned earlier, we have some guaranteed issue or almost guaranteed issue “bridge” plans provided you are gainfully employed.

Isn’t having gestational diabetes an automatic decline for life insurance?

No, unless you apply through a direct, online application portal (like Ethos, Bestow, etc.), which uses predictive underwriting (e.g., risk classifier scores) to approve or decline applications. These types of portals make it so much easier for consumers to apply for life insurance. However, you generally need to be in good health, as a computer makes the decision based on predefined parameters.

If you apply through the traditional way (i.e., a broker or agent), then most carriers and underwriters will postpone the application until after childbirth and your first lab results postpartum. Underwriters could decline an application if you have a severe co-morbidity.

Don’t all life insurance companies treat gestational diabetes the same?

No. Most life insurance companies differ in how they underwrite gestational diabetes. Some will provide the best class after a year of stability and good follow-up A1C results. Others will offer the best class no matter when your gestational diabetes clears up. Contact us to learn more.

Final Thoughts About Life Insurance and Gestational Diabetes

Having gestational diabetes shouldn’t derail your life insurance plans. In this article, we reviewed:

how underwriters analyze women with a gestational diabetes history
life insurance options
estimated costs, based on when your gestational diabetes cleared up and when you apply
frequently asked questions with answers

Are you ready to see what life insurance options you have? Contact us or use the form below.

We have helped many women with a gestational diabetes history obtain life insurance.

There is absolutely no risk to contacting us. We always prioritize the duty of care and put your interests above our own. If a better option exists, or if we can’t help you, we will point you in the right direction. You can always reach back out to us if your situation changes.

Learn More

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