Beneva Insurance Review: Guide for Canadians
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- Beneva is a relatively new insurance company that formed in 2023 from the merger of SSQ and La Capitale.
- It has flexible options for term lengths from 10 to 40 years, with coverage up to $10 million.
- Beneva’s term life insurance plans can have a fixed or decreasing benefit depending on the policy you choose.
Beneva life insurance review (2025 update)
Beneva Inc. resulted from the 2020 merger of La Capitale and SSQ Insurance, two Canadian life insurance companies. Beneva became an official insurer, distributor, and employer in 2023. Its head office is in Quebec City and it’s now the largest mutual insurance company in Canada.
Beneva life insurance: Our verdict ★★★☆☆ 3.0/5
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Affordability
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Customer Service
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Industry Reputation
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|---|---|---|
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★★★☆☆ (4.2/5.0)
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★☆☆☆☆ (1.8/5.0)
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★★★★☆ (4.1/5.0)
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Beneva is a strong insurer with competitive products and long-term flexibility, but its advisor-driven model and customer service record may leave some Canadians preferring a digital-first alternative. Plus, user reviews indicate an issue with how customers are treated overall.
Best for: Canadians who are interested in longer-term lengths, such as 40 years.
To find the best life insurance companies in Canada, we evaluated over 20 of the largest and most well-known insurers in the country using three categories:
- Affordability: To determine which insurers charge the lowest premiums, we gathered over 2,000 life insurance quotes. Our price data spans smokers, non-smokers, and birth sex, across six age groups from 18-70 and five products (including term and permanent life insurance).
- Customer service: To find out which life insurance companies offer the best customer experience, we averaged review scores from the Better Business Bureau, Trustpilot, Insureye and Google. We also counted the number of contact methods each insurer offers to its customers.
- Industry reputation: To ensure our recommendations were financially sound, we reviewed each life insurance company’s financial stability ratings from leading credit agencies A.M. Best, Morningstar DBRS and S&P Global. We incorporated Glassdoor reviews to reflect each insurer’s ability to manage and support its employees.
All three categories received a final, averaged score out of 5. After adding the results together, we had a definitive list of the best life insurance providers in Canada.
Note: PolicyMe does not receive compensation for any life insurance reviews.
PolicyMe makes term life insurance simple and affordable.
Beneva life insurance: Key features
Beneva offers a wide range of life insurance options, from flexible term products to whole life insurance plans. Here are a few key features they bring to the table:
- Strong foundation: Beneva was formed in 2020 through the merger of La Capitale and SSQ, and holds an A from A.M. Best for financial strength.
- Advisor-driven network: Beneva relies heavily on its advisors to guide applicants through product choices.
- Product range and flexibility: Offers term life insurance, whole life insurance, universal life insurance, and simplified/guaranteed issue options. There are also fixed or decreasing capital coverage options.
Beneva life insurance: pros & cons
Pros
- The guaranteed insurability benefit lets you increase your coverage by up to 25% or $100,000 in the future.
- Beneva does not require a medical exam for coverage under $500,000 if you're between 18 and 45 years old.
- You can combine the policy with optional disability and critical illness coverage for even more protection.
Cons
- Decreasing term coverage amounts might not be right for everyone.
- Customer feedback shows that accessing phone support can be frustrating, and Beneva itself notes high call volumes and slow response times on its website.
Beneva life insurance cost and value
The following prices are based on level premiums for non-smokers and $500,000 in coverage in a 20-year term.
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Age
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Monthly premium for woman
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Monthly premium for man
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|---|---|---|
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35
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$21.67
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$29.17
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40
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$31.25
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$42.50
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45
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$48.33
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$67.50
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All in all, Beneva's whole and universal prices come out in the middle of the pack vs. their competitors. Beneva is most competitive on term life insurance and Term to 100 prices.
Beneva life insurance reviews and customer service
Beneva is recognized for its financial strength and insurance coverage, but customer support feedback from policyholders is very concerning:
- Google: 1.8/5
- Trustpilot: 1.3/5
- Insureye: 1/5
These ratings suggest that customer service is Beneva’s weakest area, particularly in terms of accessibility and claims responsiveness. Trustpilot users frequently report that contacting Beneva is a time-consuming and frustrating process.
Beneva term insurance products at a glance
Beneva offers a wide range of life insurance products, from simple term life insurance policies to more complex permanent coverage. The table below outlines Beneva’s core life insurance products and their features.
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Product
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Coverage options
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Term length
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Key features
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|---|---|---|---|
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Term life
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Up to $10 million
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10 to 40 years
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Fixed or decreasing, renewable every up to age 85, convertible up to age 70
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Whole life
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Term 100, whole life
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Lifetime (whole life)
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Level premiums, cash surrender values accumulate
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Universal life
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Flexible (depends on contributions)
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Lifetime
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Adjustable coverage, tax-sheltered cash value growth; flexible contributions
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Simplified issue life
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$10,000 to $249,999
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Term or lifetime (depends on plan)
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No medical exam, fast coverage, includes extreme disability benefit
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Guaranteed issue life
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$10,000 to $50,000
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Lifetime
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No medical exam, quick decision
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Other insurance products from Beneva
Here’s an overview of the other Beneva offerings:
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Product
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Coverage options
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Key features
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|---|---|---|
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Flexible coverage
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Protects against cancer, heart disease, and neurological disorders with option to cover children and potential return-of-premium option (costly)
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Disability insurance
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Customizable
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Customizable benefit amount with extra riders available
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Employer-sponsored
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Online claims with 48-hour reimbursement, Employee Assistance Program (counselling), Manager Assistance Program (crisis coaching)
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How Beneva compares to other insurers
Compare Beneva to some of the top life insurance companies in Canada:
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Feature
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Beneva
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PolicyMe
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Manulife
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Canada Life
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|---|---|---|---|---|
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Financial strength (AM Best)
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A
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A+
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A+
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A+
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Term options
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10 to 40 years (Term Plus)
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10 to 30 years, streamlined and cost-effective, fully online
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Similar flexibility
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Similar flexibility
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Conversion flexibility
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Convertible to permanent until age 70
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Renewal and conversion available
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Varies by policy
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Varies by policy
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Online experience
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Limited—advisor-driven, some online tools for group benefits
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Instant quotes, fast approvals, user-friendly online access
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Moderate online tools, benefits app
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Limited
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Best for
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Flexible term life options
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Affordability, convenience, speed, digital-first experience
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Integrated banking
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Traditional long-term planning
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Beneva life insurance vs PolicyMe life insurance
Beneva and PolicyMe are both relatively new to the life insurance industry, offering Canadians financial stability and solid products. Here’s how they stack up against each other:
Cost
Beneva’s term life insurance is fairly priced, and its 40-year term option gives it an edge for Canadians who want long-term coverage tied to mortgages or other debts. PolicyMe premiums are usually roughly the same rate for most healthy applicants.
Customer Experience
Beneva leans on its insurance advisors to guide and service its customers, which means less convenience for Canadians who prefer a self-serve option. And many online reviews are less than stellar, with customers often describing the company as antagonistic.
On the other hand, PolicyMe boasts high ratings and positive user reviews, along with a fully streamlined online model that features a fast application process.
Industry Reputation
Beneva is known as one of Canada’s largest mutual insurers. Although Beneva itself is a newcomer to the industry, the companies that merged to form it have a long history in Canada.
PolicyMe has a strong reputation for its transparency and affordability. It has quickly earned the trust of Canadians who want insurance without the traditional friction.
See how affordable term life insurance can be.
The bottom line: Who should consider Beneva?
Beneva is a good fit for Canadians who want long-term coverage, value the guidance of an advisor (and don’t mind waiting for it), or need simplified or guaranteed-issue options that don’t require a medical exam. Its 40-year Term Plus policy makes it one of the few insurers that can match long mortgages or extended financial obligations.
FAQ: Beneva life insurance review
Beneva is a mutual insurance company, which means that its policyholders, rather than external shareholders, own the company.
The merger to create Beneva was announced in January 2020, and officially took place in 2023 when La Capital and SSQ Insurance combined their operations.
In terms of membership, Beneva reported approximately 3.5 million members and clients in 2025. In terms of its financial stability, its total assets amount to around $25.1 billion.
