For diabetics looking for a life insurance policy, we should first set the stage with what is attainable and then we'll discuss how to maximize the opportunity.

For starters, there are 4 positive risk classes, super preferred, preferred, standard plus and standard. After that we drop down into the sub-standard categories with the option of adding flat extra charges for even higher risks. If an agent is effective, he can match his clients up with the correct companies and average a super standard risk class across his book of business. This means all classes combined.

The average offer for diabetics typically runs between standard and sub-standard 2. I recently replaced a 63-year-old type II diabetic male's life insurance policy improving his position to super standard. Switched him from $2208.00 a year for a $200,000 guarantee level 10-year term with an identical policy for $1104.00.

Our client had recently dropped several pounds and now rated in the best build category with almost every insurance company. Then he had worked closely with his doctor to make sure and keep his cholesterol and blood pressure low. Both diabetes and high blood pressure can attack the kidneys; combine them and the risk of a heart attck, neuropathy and kidney failure double. The blood pressure goal for diabetics should be 130/80. Our client was able to get his down to 117/67.

Next, our client was able to get his hba1c or glycated hemoglobin to 5.3 and hold it without medication. This was overkill as most life insurance companies don't give extra credit for not using medication, as there are no negative complications with these medications. In fact, our standardized goal for Type II diabetics is an hba1c (A1C) of 6.5 or less. He also wasn't using any tobacco products and had a clear family history.