As November ends, so does Diabetes Awareness Month. However, this doesn't mark the end to the fight against the chronic disease, that an estimated 9% of the UK adult population battle daily. There’s much miseducation with diabetes, and those with the condition tackle both physical and mental challenges. Worryingly, cases are increasing and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), predict that over 5 million people in the UK will be diagnosed with diabetes by 2025.

Diabetes is a life-long disease. Both type 1 and 2 diabetes cause high blood sugar levels, due to the body being unable to produce insulin or to react to insulin. The risks that arise with high blood sugar are not to be taken lightly. The NHS reports that compared to people without diabetes, those with type 2 are twice as likely to experience a heart attack or stroke. Every week, diabetes leads to at least 185 amputations, 770 strokes and 590 heart attacks - and 1 in 6 people in a hospital bed has diabetes.

Diabetes can be managed. Through regular medical appointments, blood sugar monitoring, healthy lifestyles and routines, the risks of diabetes can be significantly reduced. But the effects of diabetes are not just physical, the change in blood sugar not only directly affects the brain and the mood, but the added psychological burden of constantly managing the disease and worrying about the implications on others causes at least 4 in 10 who’ve been diagnosed to suffer with diabetic specific mental health issues. Therefore, it is vital for those struggling with diabetes to receive guidance and support to thrive alongside the disease.

Many of the providers that Essential Insurance work with offer (at no extra cost) access to tools and support services to help you look after your health and wellbeing, when you take out life insurance or critical illness cover. For example, Aviva’s Digi Care+ app connects you with clinicians, nutritionists, therapists and more and provides annual health checks, nutrition support and nurses are on hand, whenever you need one. While AIG gives you access to their SmartHealth app which offers unlimited GP appointments 24/7, 365 days a year and mental health support. Furthermore, these services are free to use as many times as you need and are available to policyholders, their partners, and children.

There are several insurance options for those with diabetes as well as alternative types of cover. METLIFE for example, offer financial cover for hospitalisation and accidental injury - and they also have a range of free mental and physical wellbeing services which can help to manage life with diabetes.

Alternatively, Royal London have designed cover especially for diabetics – and if cover is taken out from Royal London, policy holders get access to their Helping Hand services. Whereby if, at any time, the policy holder, their partner and children, suffer a serious physical or mental illness, injury or bereavement, Helping Hand will be there to provide regular, tailored and personal support from a dedicated nurse whenever it’s needed, for as long as it’s needed – even if you don’t make a claim.

It is no stranger to those with diabetes to know the struggle of finding suitable health care and support, even finding life insurance can seem like it may be a tedious battle. At Essential Insurance, we work with you to ease this process. Our qualified advisors will help you to find the most suitable policy, by comparing the top life insurance providers, to get you the right cover at a price to suit your budget due to our relationships with providers and preferential rates. We will be with you from start to finish, throughout the process, from the initial chat with one of our advisors, to our supportive customer care team, to our review team who will reach out to you every so often to ensure you still have the most suitable policy.

Let us help you protect your family’s future, whilst you're dealing with diabetes.

At Essential Insurance, we work for you. To have an initial conversation about your life insurance options with one of our advisors, call 0800 612 8005.