This page provides general information about no medical life insurance. Take note that PolicyMe offers term life insurance, not no medical insurance. All information provided here is for educational purposes only and should not be considered financial or legal advice.

Key Takeaways

The best life insurance companies for no medical applicants are Canada Protection Plan and PolicyMe.
No medical can be referred to as guaranteed acceptance life insurance, accelerated issue life insurance or simplified issue life insurance.
These policies are suited for people that have been denied coverage before, have health issues or are senior in age.
No medical is much pricier than "traditional" underwritten policies, like term life insurance policy.

What is no medical life insurance?

No medical life insurance is a type of life insurance that doesn't require a medical exam for you to get approved. It has a simplified application process, making it a decent option for those who want coverage without the hassle of medical tests or paperwork.

With no medical life insurance, even if you have pre-existing medical conditions or are concerned about the results of a medical exam affecting your eligibility, you can still secure life insurance protection for yourself and your loved ones.

But because no medical life insurance typically costs much more than a traditional life insurance policy, it's not the best life insurance option for everyone.

So, who needs no medical life insurance?

Generally, you don't need to take a medical exam for insurance if you are in good health without pre-existing conditions or a family history of health conditions. But you can if you're willing to pay almost double premiums to avoid the medical questionnaire, medical tests or nurse visit. But in most cases, shoot for the best with regular life insurance and, if it doesn't work out, you always have other options.

While this is ultimately a personal decision, it's important to know exactly what no medical insurance means for your premiums and coverage.

[fs-toc-omit]No medical vs. term life insurance policies: cost comparison

[fs-toc-h2]No medical cost comparison

Term life insurance policies can be much more affordable than the average no medical life insurance policy on the market in Canada.‍

Why? Policies that don't require a medical exam often cost much more because the insurance companies won't know much about your health and the “risk” they're taking on.

Conversely, traditional underwritten policies (i.e. term life insurance or whole life insurance) can offer better coverage and lower costs. And you may not even need to do a medical exam.

See how much you could save by going with term life insurance. Get a quote in just a few clicks – your rate might surprise you!

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[fs-toc-omit]Video summary: No medical life insurance in Canada

[fs-toc-h2]Video summary: best no medical

[fs-toc-omit]Best no medical life insurance companies in Canada

[fs-toc-h2]No medical life insurance company reviews

Let's review the best life insurance companies with no medical options in Canada, along with tips for choosing the right insurance company and life insurance policy for you.

Canada Protection Plan no medical life insurance

Canada Protection Plan (CPP) is the leading insurer for no medical life insurance in Canada.

They have a big variety of guaranteed acceptance and simplified issue products. But a no medical life insurance policy is much more expensive compared to a standard term life insurance policy.

Canada Protection Plan's two main categories of no medical life insurance plans are as follows:

Term life insurance:

Deferred Elite Term Life: Up to $350,000 in coverage. For people with serious health conditions.
Simplified Elite Term Life: Up to $500,000 in coverage. For people with good health but with a high risk hobby or occupation.
Express Elite Term Life: Up to $750,000 in coverage. For people in good health that need coverage within a day.
Preferred Term Life: Up to $1,000,000 in coverage. For people in relatively good health.
Preferred Elite Term Life: Up to $1,00,000 in coverage. For people in good health that don't need urgent coverage.

Permanent life insurance:

Guaranteed Acceptance Life: Up to $50,000 in coverage. Anyone who applies will be approved.
Deferred Life: Up to $75,000 in coverage. Accumulates cash value.
Deferred Elite Life: Up to $350,000 in coverage. For those with less-serious health conditions.
Simplified Elite Life: Up to $500,000 in coverage. For those in good health.

Pros & cons of Canada Protection Plan

Pros:

Lots of options: Both term and permanent options for even hard-to-insure applicants.
Some policies have cash value: Policies tend to accumulate cash value starting in the fifth year.
Refund on premiums: Beneficiaries can get a refund on premiums paid plus three per cent interest if you pass within two years.

Cons:

Waiting period: Beneficiaries can't make a claim on the policy if you pass within two years.
Not for everyone: Good option for the elderly and other hard-to-insure groups. If you're young and healthy, this is likely not the right coverage for you.

"They have a huge range of products and coverage amounts to choose from. They might not grant you the coverage or the terms you want, though."

— Ivana Govedarica, Life Insurance Advisor

PolicyMe Term Life Insurance

PolicyMe term life insurance policy is a good option for healthy people. It typically doesn't require you to take a medical exam or undergo extensive medical tests. Instead, it has minimal health questions, you'll fill out a 26-question application, which includes a medical questionnaire. You'll know instantly if you're approved, declined, or if the insurance company needs more information. This may involve providing a note from your doctor or undergoing a quick health exam.

Our term life insurance policies are also more affordable because they're risk-assessed and backed by Securian Canada. And our premiums can be up to 5-10% cheaper than similar term life insurance policies on the market.

Take note

Guaranteed acceptance life insurance, accelerated issue life insurance and simplified life insurance are pricier because the insurance company takes on risk by not asking all medical questions.

They offset this risk by increasing the cost of premiums. This is why a "traditional" term policy could save you so much.

Pros & cons of PolicyMe Term Life Insurance

Pros:

Affordable: PolicyMe offers some of the best life insurance rates in Canada.
Fast approval: All online applications get an instant decision.
Great coverage options: $100,000 to $5M in coverage, for terms from 10 to 30 years.
Easy application: Fully online process. Dynamic application only asks for medical information we need, no more, no less.
Free child coverage: $10,000 in free child coverage with each policy – for every child.
Couples discount: Couples who apply together get a 10 per cent discount in the first year.
Renewals: Enables customers to renew their coverage annually without another application or health exam.

Cons:

You may need a health exam: But only 22 per cent of our applicants were referred for a follow-up like a medical exam.
No whole life insurance: We believe most Canadians need life insurance for a specific time in their lives, so we don't sell whole life. However, the option to convert your term policy to permanent life insurance is coming later this year.

Term life insurance: the better, more affordable option.

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Sun Life Guaranteed Life Insurance

Sun Life Guaranteed No Medical Life Insurance is a guaranteed acceptance product with life insurance coverage for your whole life, providing a death benefit to your loved ones in the event you pass away (can also be called guaranteed issue life insurance). While Sun Life is one of the biggest life insurance companies in Canada, this product is not their specialty.

Pros & cons of Sun Life Guaranteed No Medical Life Insurance

Pros:

No health exam: No health questions, no health checks, no health exams.
Guaranteed acceptance: Guaranteed to qualify no matter your health and even if you have pre-existing health conditions.
Get covered right away: Get instant coverage upon submitting your application.

Cons:

Less coverage options: You can only get $5,000 to $25,000 in coverage, and there are only 10 to 20-year term options.
Waiting period: Claims can be limited if you die within the first two years of your policy being, with an exception for accidental death.
Exclusions: Read the fine print of your policy closely. Sun Life will not pay out in certain instances.

"There aren't a lot of coverage options. When compared to other no medical life insurance companies on the market, it doesn't hold up."

— Ivana Govedarica, Life Insurance Advisor

UV Insurance Simplified Issue Life Insurance

UV Insurance is a small insurance company based in Quebec that specializes in group coverage (life insurance you get through work). Their simplified issue policies are one of their relatively new life insurance products.

Pros & cons of UV Insurance Simplified Issue Life Insurance

Pros:

Lots of extras: Large range of riders to add onto your policy (i.e. accidental death, critical illness, child rider, etc.)
Transparent website: Lots of documentation on their website to compare term and permanent life insurance policies, along with add-ons you can choose.

Cons:

Hard to get a quote and apply: No way to apply or get a quote easily online. Must call an advisor.
Coverage limits: More stringent coverage caps than other competitors, especially for their "express issue" option.

Empire Life Guaranteed Life Protect

Empire Life is a century-old insurance company based in Quebec with a variety of life insurance products. As the name suggests, this policy is guaranteed acceptance life insurance (or guaranteed issue life insurance). Generally, their insurance premiums are not that competitive, so they may not be a good selection if you're looking for cheap life insurance without a medical exam or medical tests.

Pros & cons of Empire Life Guaranteed Life Protect

Pros:

Cash surrender values: Option to borrow cash from your policy after the fifth year.
Preferred smoker rates: Possibility to get a better rate on your insurance policy than you would elsewhere as a smoker.

Cons:

Restrictions on waiting period payout: Most providers return premiums paid if policyholder passes within two years. Empire Life has exceptions to this.
Non-competitive prices: Cost of no medical life insurance products are higher than other alternatives on the market.

[fs-toc-omit]What companies offer the most life insurance coverage without a medical exam?

[fs-toc-h2]Who has the most coverage without a medical?

The maximum life insurance coverage you can get without a medical exam ranges from $1M-$2M, depending on your age. Most life insurance companies in Canada will put an age cap on the available coverage without a medical exam.

For example, PolicyMe's maximum possible death benefit without a medical exam is:

Ages 18-50: $1,000,000
Ages 51-60: $500,000

Here's a further breakdown of the insurance companies with the maximum coverage amount by age group:

Ages 18-40 ($2M in coverage):

Canada Life
IA Financial
Manulife
RBC
Sun Life

Ages 41-50 ($2M in coverage):

IA Financial
Manulife
RBC

Ages 51-60 ($1M in coverage):

Manulife

That's not to say that you're necessarily guaranteed to get that coverage amount. These are just the maximum possible death benefit amounts available without required medical exams.

Do you have to do a medical exam to get life insurance?

Not every life insurance policy applicant needs to get a medical to get their policy approved.

If you apply for term life insurance through PolicyMe, you might have to undergo a medical exam. In your application, you’ll be asked a series of medical questions related to your history and lifestyle.

Most will be approved without having a medical exam if they're:

A Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
Of average health for their age and gender.
Between 30 to 50 years old and looking for a policy under $1M.
Between 50 to 60 years old and looking for a policy under $500,000.

While it's not guaranteed, you may very well get term life insurance with no medical exam.

[fs-toc-omit]Can I be denied a no medical life insurance policy?

[fs-toc-h2]What disqualifies you from no medical

Guaranteed acceptance life insurance policies approve anyone regardless of their medical history. But there are other no medical life insurance policies that can deny applicants, like simplified issue life insurance.

Even if you're approved, sometimes no medical policies come with such heavily restricted coverage (lower death benefit amounts) and expensive insurance premiums that they don't make financial sense for you to take on.

If you choose no medical, evaluate the insurance coverage, insurance premiums, and terms carefully to ensure it covers your family's life insurance needs.

What can disqualify me from no medical life insurance policies?

What disqualifies you from no medical life insurance differs from company to company. It can be as simple as not being a permanent resident or Canadian citizen.

Before disqualification, they'll vet your application with some kind of medical review. A medical review is just a questionnaire instead of an exam or interview to get an idea of your medical history. Based on your responses, you can still get denied by no medical life insurance providers.

[fs-toc-omit]FAQ: Best life insurance without a medical exam Canada

[fs-toc-h2]FAQ: No medical coverage

How long does it take to be approved for no medical insurance in Canada?

The approval process for no medical insurance in Canada is designed to be pretty quick. Often, you can expect to get a decision (approved/denied) within a few days or weeks after submitting your application.

But the speed of approval will vary depending on factors like the insurance company you choose and the completeness of your application.

How does no medical life insurance work?

No medical life insurance works by letting applicants skip a full medical exam, but they come at a much greater life insurance cost when comparing quotes to a traditional life insurance company.

While no medical life insurance might appeal to lots of people, it's best for those who don't qualify for a standard life insurance policy.

No medical life insurance is a good choice for Canadians who have:

A chronic illness (e.g., heart disease, diabetes, or cancer)
A family history of severe health issues
Substance use problems
A dangerous job or hobbies

No medical life insurance is used to:

Cover final expenses like funeral costs, which can cost thousands of dollars
Leave some financial support for your children or grandchildren
Cover any end-of-life medical expenses

When should I buy a no medical life insurance policy?

The best time to get any type of life insurance is as soon as you can. As you age, your premiums will increase. The longer you wait to apply, the more expensive your policy will be. And if you have loved ones in your life who rely on your income, it's worth it.

No medical is also a good option for those needing coverage quickly or those that want to skip a medical exam because of health concerns. But if you are in relatively good health and can qualify for a traditional life insurance policy, it may be more cost-effective in the long run. Ultimately, the decision of when to buy a no medical life insurance policy depends on your individual insurance needs.

Should I get guaranteed issue life insurance or simplified issue life insurance coverage?

Choosing between a guaranteed issue life insurance policy and a simplified issue life insurance policy really depends on your particular situation.

A guaranteed issue life insurance policy doesn't ask health questions or need a medical exam, so it's great for folks with serious health issues. But keep in mind: this comes with higher premiums and less coverage because the insurer is taking on more risk. Simplified issue life insurance skips the medical exam but does ask a few basic health questions.

With simplified issue, you might get more coverage than with a guaranteed policy but these policies are both comparatively more expensive than a traditional term life insurance policy. Get a term life insurance quote first before going with a no medical option.

What kind of life insurance no medical questions are in the application?

Life insurance policies that ask minimal or no medical questions will typically fall under the category of "guaranteed issue" or "simplified issue" policies. These policies are designed to provide coverage without your comprehensive health background.

In a guaranteed issue life insurance policy, you're usually not asked health-related questions and there's no medical exam or medical tests. This type of life insurance policy is often chosen by individuals with serious health conditions. But it's worth noting that these policies usually have lower coverage limits and much higher insurance premiums due to the increased risk for the insurer.

On the other hand, simplified issue policies may ask a few basic health questions but don't require a medical exam. These policies often offer quicker approval times and might provide larger coverage amounts than guaranteed issue policies.

Next steps: ready to start looking for life insurance?

Assess your financial situation, including loved ones that you support or other obligations you have, like mortgage or education costs.
Determine how much life insurance coverage you need. Many people underestimate how much coverage they should get.
Use an online coverage calculator to find the right amount of coverage for your particular needs.
Decide which type of policy is right for you. Term life insurance is the best option for most families, though it depends on your personal situation.
Understand what could affect your monthly premiums, including your health and lifestyle.
Shop around and compare rates among different insurers to find the best option for you.

See just how much you can save on life insurance with PolicyMe

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You need facts, not fluff. Our goal is to provide you with honest, trustworthy information to help you make informed decisions. While our content is created with insurance experts, it is for educational purposes only and should not be considered definitive professional financial advice.

We recommend seeking the counsel of a licensed financial advisor before making any decisions regarding insurance or personal finance.

PolicyMe's editorial guidelines

The prices listed in this article have been researched and fact-checked with both internal and external sources. Prices are based on publicly available rates.

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