Diabetes Conditions

Diabetes is one of the most common chronic conditions in Australia. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) reports that more than 1.3 million Australians have been diagnosed with diabetes — predominantly type 2, with smaller cohorts living with type 1 and gestational diabetes. The condition affects how the body regulates blood glucose and, over time, can contribute to complications across the cardiovascular, renal, vision, and nervous systems. Because diabetes typically requires lifelong management — through diet, medication, insulin therapy, and regular monitoring — it has long-tail financial implications well beyond the cost of medication itself.

From an insurance perspective, diabetes is one of the conditions where insurer appetite varies most across the IMFL panel of 9 (AIA, Zurich, TAL, OnePath, ClearView, NEOS, Encompass, Acenda, Futura). Type, control (HbA1c readings), age at diagnosis, BMI, and presence of complications all affect underwriting. Trauma (critical illness) cover commonly lists diabetes-related events such as kidney failure or loss of sight as specified conditions. Income protection responds when complications cause time off work, and TPD cover is relevant where long-term progression prevents return to work. Disclosure of an existing diagnosis is critical — even an undiagnosed prediabetes flag in recent bloods is something underwriters will want to see.

The pages below break down diabetes-related cost data drawn from Zurich's Cost of Care research. The information is general in nature and is not a personal recommendation. To compare how different insurers on the panel may underwrite your specific diabetes profile, generate an indicative quote or talk to an adviser.