
Canada Life offers a variety of insurance options to suit different needs and goals.
Term life insurance is a popular choice for Canadians, providing coverage for a specified period, usually 10 to 30 years.
With term life insurance, you can choose from annual or monthly payment options, and coverage amounts can range from $25,000 to $5 million.
Canada Life's Critical Illness insurance helps pay for medical expenses and other costs associated with a serious illness.
Pros and Cons
Canada Life offers a range of benefits that make it a great option for life insurance. Their competitive pricing is a major advantage, allowing you to get the coverage you need without breaking the bank.
One of the notable pros of Canada Life is their multiple rider options for joint and single policies, which can be tailored to your specific needs. This flexibility is a huge plus, especially for families or individuals with complex insurance requirements.

Here are some of the key pros of Canada Life life insurance:
- Competitive pricing
- Multiple rider options for joint and single policies
- Wide range of insurance products
- Offer renewable and convertible policies
- Variety of term life insurance lengths
- Multi-variety discounts
However, it's worth noting that Canada Life does have some drawbacks. For one, they don't offer online life insurance quotes, which can make it harder to get a sense of the costs involved. Additionally, their term period offerings are somewhat limited.
Pros
Canada Life offers a range of benefits that make it a great option for life insurance. Their competitive pricing is one of the standout features, ensuring you get the best value for your money.
Canada Life offers multiple rider options for joint and single policies, giving you flexibility to customize your coverage. This is particularly useful if you have a family or are planning to start one.
Their wide range of insurance products means you can choose the one that best fits your needs. Whether you're looking for term life insurance or participating whole life insurance, Canada Life has got you covered.

Here are some of the key benefits of Canada Life's insurance products:
- Competitive pricing
- Multiple rider options for joint and single policies
- Wide range of insurance products
- Offer renewable and convertible policies
- Variety of term life insurance lengths
- Multi-variety discounts
Canada Life's participating whole life insurance products, such as the Estate Achiever and the Wealth Achiever, offer a unique set of benefits. Your premiums remain the same for as long as you hold the policy, and you have an associated cash value.
You can also expect dividend payouts from time to time, as your premiums are placed in an account with those of other policyholders and professionally managed.
Cons
Canada Life insurance has some drawbacks to consider. No online life insurance quotes are available, making it difficult to get a sense of the cost without speaking with an advisor.
One of the biggest cons is the lack of online quote and application options. You'll need to go through one of their insurance advisors to get started, or even just get more information on their plans.
Their policies can be costly, with some plans requiring a minimum of $100,000 coverage or yearly premiums of $500. Depending on your age and risk factors, your premiums could be significantly lower with life insurance through another provider.

It can take a long time to get approved, with some applicants waiting up to 6-10 weeks. This can be frustrating, especially if you're in need of coverage quickly.
Here are some specific cons to consider:
- No online life insurance quotes are available
- Less term period offerings
- It can take a long time to get approved - up to 6-10 weeks!
- Canada Life policies are more costly than similar plans from their competitors
- Their policies require either a minimum of $100,000 coverage or yearly premiums of $500.
Plan Details
Canada Life offers a range of term life insurance options, including fixed payments for temporary coverage. You can choose from 8 different types of term life insurance, categorized into Term 10, Term 20, Term 30, and Term-to-age-65 life insurance products.
Term lengths vary depending on your age, with options for short term (5-10 years) and longer periods to cover life events like marriage, children, or buying a house. You can renew or extend your coverage later if needed.
Some policy options include single-life policies and joint first-to-die policies, which can be beneficial for those with financially dependent family members or mortgage payments. With Canada Life, you can also convert your term life insurance plan to permanent coverage up until you turn 70, without a medical exam.

Here's a summary of Canada Life's term life insurance options:
Term Products
Canada Life offers a range of term life insurance products that cater to different needs and preferences. You can choose from various term lengths, including 5-10 years, 10-20 years, 20-30 years, and term-to-age 65.
Term lengths are dependent on your age, with younger individuals having more options. For example, a 60-year-old can only get an 8-year term, while a 77-year-old can only get a 5-year term.
You can renew or extend your coverage later, making it a flexible option for those unsure about their financial future. This is especially beneficial for younger individuals with better health and lower premiums.
Canada Life also offers optional benefits, including single-life policies and joint first-to-die policies. Your policy will automatically renew on a yearly basis for the same length of time as the initial term.
You can convert your term life insurance to permanent life insurance, which will last a lifetime and has the potential to grow in value. This option is available up until you turn 70, without a medical exam.

Here are the different types of term life insurance products offered by Canada Life:
These products provide affordable coverage for you and your family during the years you need it most.
Permanent
Canada Life offers two types of permanent life insurance: participating life and universal life. These policies will cover you for your lifetime, providing a guaranteed payout to your beneficiaries.
With Canada Life's permanent life insurance, you can choose who receives a tax-free one-time payment when you pass away. This can be a huge relief for loved ones who may be dealing with funeral expenses or other financial burdens.
Both participating life and universal life insurance allow your money to grow within the policy. This can be a great way to build wealth over time, and can even be used for estate planning purposes.
Canada Life's permanent life insurance is available in various cities across Canada, including Brampton, Calgary, and Edmonton.
Universal

Universal life insurance is a type of permanent life insurance that offers flexibility in investment options and premium payments.
With Canada Life's universal life insurance, you can pay your premiums and have the remaining money go towards investments of your choice.
The money you invest can be accessed at any time, allowing you to use it however you want.
Canada Life offers three types of universal life insurance: annually increasing pay to 85 COI products, level COI products, and limited-pay COI products.
Here are some key features of each type:
You can choose the type of universal life insurance that best fits your needs and risk profile.
Who Owns?
Canada Life is owned by Great West Lifeco, a Canadian insurer that acquired the company in 2003 for $7.3 billion. This merger brought together two major players in the Canadian insurance market.
Great West Life had previously acquired London Life in 1997, expanding its reach and expertise in the industry. Since the merger, Canada Life has become the second-largest insurance company in Canada.

The company's history dates back to 1847 when it was founded in Toronto, initially providing insurance and investment products to Canadians. Today, Canada Life serves millions of customers across the country.
Here's a brief overview of the key players involved in the acquisition:
- Great West Lifeco: The parent company that acquired Canada Life in 2003.
- Canada Life: The company that was acquired and is now owned by Great West Lifeco.
- London Life: A company acquired by Great West Life in 1997, which was later merged with Canada Life.
Summary: Higher-Price Average Plans
Canada Life offers average plans at a higher-than-average price point. This may not be ideal for those looking for the most affordable options.
Their rates are not the lowest on the market, but they do offer an easy online application process, making it convenient for customers to get started.
You can also receive a no-obligation quote, giving you a clear idea of what to expect without any commitment.
Here are some of the plans they offer:
- Joint Life Insurance
- Life Insurance For Kids
- Life Insurance For Seniors Over 80
- Life Insurance Conditions
- Most Affordable Term Life Insurance Policies
- 5 Year Term Life Insurance
- 10 Year Term Life Insurance
- Term Life Insurance For Seniors Over 60
- Term Life Insurance For Seniors Over 70
- Term Life Insurance Ontario
- Term Life Insurance Prince Edward Island
Other Products
Canada Life offers a range of products beyond traditional life insurance. You can add Critical Illness Insurance, Disability Insurance, Health and Dental Insurance, and Creditor Insurance as riders to your term or permanent life insurance plans.

These products provide financial protection for unexpected events. Critical Illness Insurance pays out a tax-free lump sum when you're diagnosed with a serious condition.
You can also purchase these products as standalone policies. Canada Life's Critical Illness Insurance offers a maximum coverage of $2.5 million for up to 25 critical illnesses.
Here are some key features of Canada Life's Critical Illness Insurance:
- Receive a tax-free, one-time payout when you're diagnosed with a covered condition
- Offers full coverage for life, unless you add return-of-premium benefit
- Optional return-of-premium benefit to get money back
- Finances to cover medical expenses, mortgage, and pay off debts
- Offers maximum coverage of $2.5 million for up to 25 critical illnesses
- Offers partial payouts for 8 different conditions
- Survival period of usually 0 days
- Options of 10- and 20-year terms or coverage up to 100 years of age
Disability Insurance provides a tax-free monthly payment when you're unable to work due to illness or injury. This can help replace your income and cover expenses during your recovery.
You can add Disability Insurance to your existing coverage or purchase it as a standalone policy. Canada Life's Disability Insurance offers a monthly benefit that can cover up to 80-90% of your income, up to $25,000.

Here are some key features of Canada Life's Disability Insurance:
- Receive a tax-free, monthly payment when your illness or injury affects your work
- Can add coverage on top of employer insurance for better coverage
- Monthly benefit can cover up to 80-90% of income up to $25,000
- Premium costs range from 1-9% of your salary
- Offers benefit periods of 1, 2, 5, 10 years, or until the age of 65
Canada Life's Creditor Insurance provides benefit amounts to match large debts like mortgage, loans, and lines of credit. It also helps cover unexpected life events.
Positive Reviews:
Canada Life has received praise from its customers for its handling of life insurance claims.
Some customers have reported that Canada Life is easy to deal with, even in difficult situations. They have worked with families to get advanced payments based on a policyholder's diagnosis and expected time left.
One customer's experience with Canada Life after their mother passed away from ALS is notable. Canada Life's representative helped them get full payment instead of an advanced payment, even though their mother had passed away before receiving the advance payment.
Canada Life's representatives have also been described as "very nice" and helpful, making the claims process less stressful. They have paid life insurance within a month, as one customer reported.
Overall, Canada Life's customers appreciate its accommodating and helpful approach to life insurance claims.
Here are some specific examples of Canada Life's positive reviews:
- “They were very nice and helped me throughout and they paid the life insurance within a month...I would recommend this company.”
- “When my mother passed away from ALS, Canada Life was very easy to deal with and accommodating. They worked with my brother and me to get an advanced payment based on her diagnoses and the expected time left. She ended up passing away before we received the advance payment but their representative helped us get full payment instead of the advanced payment when the time came.”
Alternatives and Comparison
If you're considering Canada Life for your insurance needs, you may also want to look into other options.
Canada Life offers a range of insurance products, but it's worth exploring what other companies have to offer.
One notable alternative is Manulife, which offers similar life insurance policies with varying levels of coverage.
Canada Life's insurance policies are designed to provide financial security for individuals and families, but Manulife's policies may offer more flexibility in terms of payment options.
Canada Life's policies typically have a minimum coverage requirement of $25,000, while Manulife's policies may have a lower minimum coverage requirement.
Manulife's policies also offer additional features such as disability insurance and critical illness coverage.
Canada Life's customer service is highly rated, with a 24/7 claims hotline and online account management.
However, Manulife's customer service may be more extensive, with a larger network of advisors and a more comprehensive online portal.
Ultimately, the choice between Canada Life and Manulife will depend on your individual needs and preferences.
Getting a Quote and Summary
Getting a quote with Canada Life can be a bit of a process, but it's worth it to find the right coverage for your needs.
You'll need to go through one of their advisors, which you can find on their "Find an Advisor" page by entering your city.
Alternatively, you can request to be matched with an advisor after answering a few questions about your life insurance needs.
Unfortunately, Canada Life doesn't offer an online application process or an instant quote.
This means you'll need to work with an advisor who may have an incentive to sell you on a plan you don't actually need, since many are paid by commission.
If you're looking for an instant, no-obligation quote online, you might want to consider PolicyMe, which offers an estimated rate for your specific situation with just a few clicks.
Here are some types of term life insurance offered by PolicyMe in different provinces:
- Term Life Insurance Alberta
- Term Life Insurance British Columbia
- Term Life Insurance Manitoba
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Canada Life now called?
Canada Life is now a single company, having merged with its predecessor companies on January 1, 2020. The company is known as The Canada Life Assurance Company.
Does Canada Life operate in the US?
Yes, Canada Life operates in the United States, as well as several other countries
Sources
- https://www.greatwestlifeco.com/news-events/news/canada-life-announces-retirement-of-jeff-macoun.html
- https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/introducing-the-new-canada-life-one-brand-for-three-iconic-canadian-companies-818854973.html
- https://protectyourwealth.ca/canada-life-insurance-review-canada/
- https://www.policyme.com/life-insurance/life-insurance-reviews-page
- https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/canada-life-and-primerica-canada-sign-new-independent-distribution-agreement-858214181.html
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