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2 out of 3 Canadians Stressed About Inflation in 2021 [New Study]

November 2, 2021

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With inflation rates on the rise, it's important to keep in mind the affordability of necessary expenses, such as life insurance without medical exam Canada, to ensure financial security for your loved ones.

Following inflation, the top financial stressors include saving for retirement (30%), inability to absorb unforeseen expenses (25%), unpredictability of investments (25%), inability to save as much as pre-pandemic (22%), and high-interest consumer debt (17%). 

“We’re approaching the end of 2021, a year that many were looking to with optimism, but Canadians are feeling anxious about the highest inflation rate we’ve seen in a long time … Whether it’s keeping up with the rising food, fuel, or housing costs, people are stressed about the increased cost of living — and parents are feeling it the most.” - Andrew Ostro, CEO, PolicyMe.

Parents of children under 18 report being more stressed on five of the six top personal finance stressors, compared to Canadians without dependent children.

Top Personal Finance Stressors
Parents With Children Under 18
Non-Parents
Increased cost of living / inflation
68%
67%
Not able to save enough for my retirement
37%
27%
Inability to absorb unforeseen expenses
28%
24%
Unpredictability of investments
19%
28%
Inability to save as much money as pre-pandemic
25%
21%
High-interest consumer debt (i.e., credit cards, car loans, etc.)
19%
16%

Financial preparedness can combat stress 

For many Canadians, concerns around high costs don’t stop at the grocery store or the gas pump, they extend to important financial protections, such as life insurance. Since the pandemic began, there has been a 50% uptick in the number of Canadians purchasing or considering life insurance — with 67 per cent of those citing COVID-related concerns as motivating factors. 

However, of those who did not purchase life insurance, 35 per cent cited a perceived lack of affordability as the reason. This figure remained consistent from early in the pandemic (May 2020) to now, suggesting that financial concerns have not eased despite the reopening of the economy. Notably, half of parents (49%) — the demographic with the greatest need for coverage — who don’t have life insurance say they haven’t bought it because it is too expensive.

“Rising prices are a real concern, but there’s a misconception about the affordability of life insurance,” continues Ostro. “Getting covered is actually a very affordable way to ease financial stress. For roughly the cost of one takeout lunch per month, most people can afford a term policy, protecting their family financially if anything happens to them. It’s a stressful time for Canadians, but the good news is that a little planning can go a long way.” 

As a new kind of life insurance company, PolicyMe puts families first, equipping them with honest and uncomplicated life insurance solutions so they can feel secure about their financial future. To find the best term insurance in Canada visit PolicyMe.

During periods of high inflation, it is advisable to opt for a shorter duration life insurance policy, like a 10 year term life insurance. This is because the value of money decreases over time during inflationary periods, which means that the amount of coverage you have may not be enough to cover your needs in the future.

Another option could be purchasing a joint last to die policy as this allows for both you and your partner to be covered in case either one dies. This prevents you from paying for two policies when you don't need them, which is even more purposeful during times of financial turmoil.

To continue saving money, you may also want to look at what is considered a critical illness before purchasing to avoid having monthly expenses for something that doesn't cover you.

With inflation on most people's mind, it is important to find term life insurance rates that keep you afloat despite any financial hurdles. Visit PolicyMe to find a term policy suited to your needs. To ensure you can afford a policy during high inflationary periods, find online life insurance quotes in Canada through PolicyMe.

About PolicyMe

PolicyMe is a Canadian digital life insurance solution built to make financial protection for families honest, uncomplicated and affordable. PolicyMe makes it easy to get a quote and apply for term life insurance online in 20 minutes or less. Using technology, they've streamlined the traditional insurance process resulting in a fully-underwritten life insurance policy that delivers the same quality protection you deserve but with fewer steps and lower costs. Based in Toronto, Canada, PolicyMe is currently licensed in Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, Yukon Territories, Northwest Territories & Nunavut. 

About the survey

These are the findings of a study/survey conducted by PolicyMe from October 7-8, 2021 with a representative sample of 1,510 Canadians who are members of the online Angus Reid Forum, balanced and weighted on age, gender, region and education. The survey was conducted in English and French. For comparison purposes only, a sample of this size would yield a margin of error of +/- 2.5 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

About the Angus Reid Forum:

The Angus Reid Forum is Canada's most well-known and trusted online public opinion community consisting of engaged residents across the country who answer surveys on topical issues that matter to all Canadians.

FAQ: Inflation in Canada in 2021

Our mission is to empower Canadians to make informed financial decisions. To achieve this, we have an expert editorial team that includes licensed insurance advisors and financial planners. We prioritize the best interests of Canadian families and won't endorse any product, company or financial strategy that we believe isn't suitable. Our educational guides are crafted by in-house experts, like licensed life insurance advisors. Before publication, we subject our research and advice to scrutiny and comprehensive revisions for accuracy and completeness.

Our mission is to empower Canadians to make informed financial decisions. To achieve this, we have an expert editorial team that includes licensed insurance advisors and financial planners. We prioritize the best interests of Canadian families and won't endorse any product, company or financial strategy that we believe isn't suitable. Our educational guides are crafted by in-house experts, like licensed life insurance advisors. Before publication, we subject our research and advice to scrutiny and comprehensive revisions for accuracy and completeness.

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