How Much is Life Insurance in Canada? + Factors Affecting the Cost

Making the decision to acquire life insurance is not just a financial commitment but a safeguard for your loved ones. Understanding the cost of life insurance in Canada is crucial, as it can vary significantly based on several factors, including your age, lifestyle, policy type, and more. In this article, we’ll delve into the pricing of term and permanent life insurance on a monthly and yearly basis, considering elements such as age and health.
It’s important to note that there’s no fixed price for life insurance, as it’s personalized to your specific circumstances. To get an accurate estimate, it’s advisable to obtain quotes from leading life insurance companies in Canada.

Average Cost of Life Insurance in Canada

The cost of life insurance in Canada can vary widely based on individual factors and the insurance provider. On average, Canadians can expect to pay anywhere from $50 to a few hundred dollars per month, influenced by variables like age, gender, and health.
Typically, the older you are and the higher your health risk, the more expensive your life insurance premiums will be. Additionally, term life insurance and whole life insurance come with different price tags.

Cost of Term Life Insurance

Term life insurance generally boasts lower premiums than permanent life insurance because it offers coverage for a defined period (usually 10 to 30 years) with fewer payout options.
For a relatively healthy individual, term life insurance can often be obtained for less than $100 per month. The reason for this is that it only provides a death benefit to your beneficiaries without any cash value component, reducing the likelihood of a payout compared to whole life insurance.
To provide a clearer picture, let’s consider sample quotes from two prominent life insurance companies:
  • A 23-year-old non-smoking female residing in Ontario may find a $500,000 coverage for 30 years costing approximately $25.52 per month from PolicyMe and $16.99 per month from Manulife.
  • However, as you grow older, the cost escalates. A 58-year-old non-smoking female in Ontario could expect to pay around $92.40 per month for a $500,000 coverage over 10 years with PolicyMe and $122.44 per month with Manulife.

Cost of Permanent Life Insurance

Permanent or whole life insurance tends to be pricier compared to term life insurance. However, it offers the advantage of paying out at some point, as it covers you for your entire life. Monthly premiums can range from a few hundred dollars to 5-15 times the cost of term life insurance.
Most life insurance companies do not provide estimated quotes on their websites due to the multitude of factors that can affect the cost.
Blue Cross allows you to customize and combine these coverage options based on your specific needs, and you can choose between all-inclusive or individual coverage.

Factors Influencing the Cost of Life Insurance​

The cost of your life insurance policy is highly personalized and influenced by several factors, many of which are beyond your control:

1.Age

Age is a significant factor affecting your premium. Older individuals typically pay more due to their shorter life expectancy.

2. Gender

Gender also plays a role in premium calculations. Men, who generally have a shorter life expectancy than women, may face slightly higher premiums.

3. Health Status

Pre-existing medical conditions or poor health can result in higher premiums. Older applicants may need to undergo a medical evaluation.

4. Smoking Status

Smoking is a major health risk factor that substantially increases life insurance premiums.

5. Occupation

Engaging in high-risk professions or hobbies, such as firefighting or manual labor, can lead to higher premiums.

Life Insurance for Seniors in Canada

Before filing a claim, it’s essential to understand what Blue Cross travel insurance does not cover. Here are some common scenarios that are typically not covered:
  1. Routine checkups, rehabilitation, and aesthetic care.
  2. Treatment received without prior Blue Cross Travel Assistance approval.
  3. Foreseeable treatment for a pre-existing medical condition.
  4. Failure to comply with prescribed treatment.
  5. Injuries or accidents related to extreme sports or risky activities.
  6. Travel to countries under travel advisories or warnings.

Blue Cross Travel Insurance for Seniors

Life insurance policies for seniors are typically more expensive than those for younger individuals due to the higher risk of mortality. Canadian seniors may pay a few hundred dollars annually for basic coverage, which can increase to over $1,000 for comprehensive plans. Not all insurance providers offer coverage for seniors, and medical assessments are often required.
It’s important to note that most life insurance companies do not offer term life insurance policies for seniors over 75.

How to Get a Quote for Blue Cross Travel Insurance

If you are from Ontario, you can obtain a quote by visiting the Ontario Blue Cross website. Answer questions about your residency, public healthcare plan coverage for the travelers, trip details, and desired coverage. After providing the necessary information, you will receive a personalized quote containing the total cost of insurance for both single-trip and multi-trip plans. If you decide to proceed with the purchase, you can complete the transaction by providing the required information and payment details.

Determining Your Required Life Insurance Coverage

The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada suggests purchasing life insurance coverage equal to 7 to 10 times your annual income to protect your beneficiaries. However, the right amount of coverage depends on your individual circumstances, family situation, savings, and other factors. You can use online calculators to estimate your specific life insurance needs.

FAQs

The cost of life insurance increases with higher coverage amounts and higher-risk factors, such as age and health conditions.
It’s not mandatory, and the decision to purchase life insurance depends on your individual health and financial situation. Healthy individuals with no pre-existing conditions may not find it cost-effective.
Permanent or whole life insurance provides lifetime coverage, while term life insurance typically covers you for 10 to 30 years, after which you can renew it or explore other options.
According to Forbes, a 20-year, $1 million life insurance policy for a 60-year-old can cost approximately $114 per month or $1,368 per year.
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