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- Sun Life term life for diabetes is offered under four options: Evolve Term, Essential Term, Achievers Term, and Bridge Term
- The Sun Life Diabetes Care Program is also complementary with these plans and provides personalized assistance for diabetes management
- Term life insurance helps people with diabetes secure affordable financial protection, ensuring their family is covered despite potential future health risk
Getting approved for term life insurance with diabetes can be more complex than a standard application, but that does not mean coverage is out of reach. Sun Life offers a diabetes-focused underwriting pathway that may lead to one of several term life options depending on your health profile, diabetes type, and underwriting assessment.
In this guide, we explain how Sun Life term life insurance for diabetes works, what plan options may be available, and what applicants in Canada should know before applying.
Why do people with diabetes often consider term life insurance?
Living with diabetes can make financial planning more important, especially for individuals who want to ensure their family is protected if something unexpected happens. Term life insurance provides a way to secure financial protection for loved ones while covering important obligations such as mortgages, debts, or future expenses. For people living with diabetes, term life insurance can help:
- Protect your family’s financial stability by providing a tax-free death benefit that can help replace lost income or cover everyday living expenses
- Cover outstanding debts or major obligations, such as mortgages, loans, or education costs for children
- Support long-term financial planning, especially if you want to ensure your dependents are financially secure
- Preserve insurability while your health is stable, since coverage can become harder to obtain if health conditions worsen over time
How diabetes affects term life insurance approval
When you apply for term life insurance with diabetes, Sun Life evaluates your overall health profile to estimate the level of risk associated with the condition. The underwriting process typically focuses on how well the condition is managed and whether there are any related complications. Here are the things that will be taken into consideration:
- Type of diabetes: The type of diabetes you have can influence underwriting decisions. In general, type 2 diabetes that is well controlled may be viewed more favourably than type 1 diabetes because it often develops later in life and may be managed through lifestyle changes or medication. However, individuals with type 1 diabetes can still qualify for coverage if their condition is stable and well-managed
- Age at diagnosis: The age at which diabetes was diagnosed is another important consideration. An earlier diagnosis may indicate a longer duration of the condition, which can increase the likelihood of complications over time. Applicants who were diagnosed later in life and have maintained stable health outcomes may sometimes receive more favourable underwriting assessments
- Blood sugar control: Sun Life can also review long-term blood sugar management, typically through measurements such as HbA1c levels. Consistently controlled blood sugar levels suggest that the condition is being effectively managed, which may improve the chances of qualifying for coverage or receiving a lower rating
- Medication or insulin use: The type of treatment used to manage diabetes is also reviewed. Some applicants manage their condition through oral medications, lifestyle changes, or insulin therapy. Insurers evaluate whether the treatment plan is stable and whether the condition is being monitored regularly by a healthcare professional
- Diabetes-related complications: Underwriters will also assess whether the condition has led to complications such as cardiovascular disease, kidney issues, neuropathy, or vision problems. The presence or absence of complications can significantly influence underwriting outcomes and the type of policy offered
How does Sun Life term insurance for diabetes work?
When you apply for Sun Life term life insurance and disclose that you have diabetes, the application is reviewed through the insurer’s underwriting process. During this review, factors such as the type of diabetes, treatment plan, blood sugar control, and overall health are evaluated.
Depending on the underwriting assessment, several outcomes may be possible:
- Rated Evolve Term: You may be approved for Evolve Term with a rating that adjusts the premium based on your health profile. In some cases, you may also be offered the option to choose between Evolve Term and Essential Term
- Achievers Term: For certain non-smokers with well-controlled type 2 diabetes, Sun Life may propose Achievers Term, which is designed for applicants who meet specific health criteria
- Bridge Term: If the underwriting decision is postponed, Sun Life may offer a one-year Bridge Term policy that provides temporary coverage while the application is reassessed
The table below explains these possible outcomes and how each Sun Life term option works for applicants with diabetes.
| Plan name | Diabetes eligibility | Features | Age eligibility | Outcome |
| Evolve | Type 1/2, gestational, prediabetes, high blood sugar | Renewable, convertible, terms available from 5 to 40 years | 0-80 years | Underwriting evaluates the Evolve Term application with a rating of 150–350% |
| Essential | Type 1/2, gestational, prediabetes, high blood sugar | Non-renewable, non-convertible, 5-20 years | 18-65 years |
|
| Achievers | Type 2 diabetes only | Non-renewable, non-convertible, 5-20 years | 18-65 years |
|
| Bridge | Type 1/2, gestational, prediabetes, high blood sugar | 1-year only | 18-65 years |
|
Sun Life diabetes care program
Sun Life’s Diabetes Care Program, designed specifically for policyholders with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, is offered through the Online Pharmacy by Pillway. This initiative provides free access to trained health care professionals without any additional costs. Upon enrolment, members gain entry to an online pharmacy, with coverage determined by their specific plan benefits. Here is a list of services offered under this program:
- 1-1 coaching with pharmacists who are trained in diabetes care
- Personalized advice and recommendations on diet, medication therapy, and monitoring
- Sensor-based glucose monitoring integrated with the Diabetes Care Program for personalized recommendations
How to apply for Sun Life term life for diabetes
Ready to get coverage with Sun Life? If yes, do not delay and schedule a call with our expert advisors at PolicyAdvisor. Our licensed advisors will help you determine which Sun Life term policy is right for you. We will help you find a plan that is best suited to your coverage needs and budget. Schedule a consultation with our advisors now!
Frequently asked questions
Can diabetics get a term life insurance policy?
Yes, people with diabetes can get a term life insurance policy if they buy plans specifically designed for diabetes. Otherwise, it can be difficult to get a term life policy because the health risks associated with diabetes are higher, and insurers assess these risks before issuing a policy.
What different term plan options for diabetes does Sun Life offer?
Sun Life has four different plan options for diabetes: Evolve Term, Essential Term, Achievers Term, and Bridge Term. Each option comes with distinct features. While Evolve Term is renewable and convertible, the other three options are non-renewable and non-convertible. Moreover, only Evolve Term is available in single and joint life options, whereas Essential, Achievers, and Bridge Term are available for single life coverage only.
Why should I buy Sun Life term life for diabetes?
Sun Life term life for diabetes has many benefits: higher chances of approval, affordable premiums, and coverage for type 1, type 2, gestational diabetes, and prediabetes. These plans also offer access to the Diabetes Care Program.
What is the Sun Life Bridge Term policy?
The Sun Life Bridge Term policy is beneficial for those whose term life insurance underwriting process has been postponed. This term policy has a term length of 1 year and cannot be further renewed or converted. Bridge Term has a minimum issue amount of $50,000 and a maximum of $1,000,000.
What is the Sun Life Diabetes Care Program?
The Sun Life Diabetes Care Program is an initiative that helps Sun Life policyholders manage their diabetes more effectively by connecting them with trained health care professionals. Through this, policyholders can get one-to-one coaching, personalized advice on nutrition, as well as diabetes care management tips.
Sun Life offers several term life insurance options for individuals with diabetes. Depending on the underwriting outcome, applicants may be eligible for one of four plans: Evolve Term, Essential Term, Achievers Term, or Bridge Term. Each option has distinct features; for instance, Evolve Term is renewable and convertible, while the other three are not. All four options provide coverage for type 1 and type 2 diabetes, as well as gestational diabetes or prediabetes.
