Empire Life Insurance

Established in 1923 in Kingston, Ontario, the Empire Life Insurance Company is relatively young in the world of Canadian insurance compared to its counterparts. Don’t let youth fool you though, as Empire Life is one of Canada’s top 10 insurers and amongst Forbes’ top Canadian employers. All while following the mantra of CEO Mark Sylvia as quoted in their most recent annual report: “We sell money for future delivery when it is needed most.”

Empire Life is evolving its life insurance products for the digital age. The company was recently named Life and Health Insurer of the Year, due to its focus on giving simple, easy, and digital access to their insurance products. The company ranks among the top life insurance companies in Canada.

Contact Information

Address

Empire Life
259 King Street East
Kingston, Ontario
K7L 3A8

Phone Numbers

Canada-Wide Toll-Free: 1-877-548-1881

Website

Empire Life | Empire Life Wikipedia Page

Financial Ratings

Based on 2019 financial reports.

Total premiums and deposits: $2 Billion
Assets under administration: $11.2 Billion

LICAT ratio: 132%
DBRS Limited Financial Strength Rating: A, Stable

Term Life Insurance

Term life insurance is an insurance policy that lasts for a specific period of time. Your beneficiaries are entitled to receive a tax-free death benefit if you die within the term of the policy. Once that term expires, you can cancel your policy. However, many insurance providers will automatically renew your policy or have options to convert your coverage into permanent insurance.

Empire Life’s term life insurance options cover several different term lengths for varying needs with coverage up to $10,000,000.

Solution 10

• 10-year renewable and convertible term life insurance
• Coverage is available up to age 100, fully paid up at age 100
• Guaranteed premium rates increase every 10 years with the last premium increase occurring at age 75

Solution 20

• 20-year renewable and convertible term life insurance
• Coverage is available up to age 100, fully paid up at age 100
• Guaranteed premium rates increase every 20 years with the last premium increase occurring at age 65

Solution 25

• 25-year renewable and convertible term life insurance
• Coverage is available up to age 100, fully paid up at age 100
• Level premiums for 25 years; at year 26, premiums increase annually to age 85; thereafter, premiums remain level to age 100

Solution 30

• 30-year renewable and convertible term life insurance
• Coverage is available up to age 100, fully paid up at age 100
• Level premiums for the first 30 years, at year 31 premiums increase annually to age 85; thereafter, premiums remain level to age 100

Solution ART

• Annual renewable term life insurance
• Convertible to Empire Life permanent insurance policies
• Guaranteed premiums with no increases for the first three years
• Premiums increase every year after the initial 3; the last premium increase occurs on the renewal at age 85
• Designed for those seeking affordability and security of guaranteed coverage with the flexibility of a term plan that can last for life

For more information and an in-depth look at their coverage, read our Empire Life Term Life Insurance Review.

Permanent Life Insurance

Permanent life insurance provides you with coverage from the day the policy is settled until the day you die. Premiums are level and guaranteed, and as long as you keep paying the premiums the coverage never expires.

Empire Life offers 4 different permanent life insurance policies.

Solution 100

• Non-participating permanent life insurance (whole life insurance)
• Guaranteed cash surrender and paid-up values start after 4 years
• Guaranteed level premiums that end at age 100
• Ability to add Empire Life’s other Solution and Critical Illness policies as riders

EstateMax

• For those looking to build wealth through long term cash value
• Five dividend options
• Four payment options: 8 Pay, 10 Pay, 20 Pay, or Life Pay (to age 100)
• Some of the highest guaranteed cash values in the policy’s later years
• Above-average non-guaranteed cash values are also above average
• Ability to add Empire Life’s other Solution and Critical Illness policies as riders, among other riders

Optimax

• Cash-value focused; better suited for short-term savings growth
• Five dividend options
• Dividends are not guaranteed
• Four payment options: 8 Pay, 10 Pay, 20 Pay, or Life Pay (to age 100)
• Ability to add Empire Life’s other Solution and Critical Illness policies as riders, among other riders

Guaranteed Life Protect

• Guaranteed level premiums, policy becomes paid up at age 95
• Guaranteed cash surrender values after 5th policy anniversary
• No medical or lifestyle questions required for application
• Some restrictions on benefit payout if the insured person passes away within the first 24 months of the policy taking effect
• Available to Canadian residents between the ages of 40-75

Read our full review of Empire Life Whole Life Insurance.

Critical Illness Insurance

Critical illness insurance is a living benefit insurance policy that pays out a tax-free lump sum if you develop a specified illness, health event, or undergo treatment while under its coverage, after a minimum of 30 days from when you are first diagnosed (90 days for cancer). This coverage is available for a period of time also known as term length; and you determine it when purchasing the policy.

Empire Life offers 2 different critical illness insurance policies with a maximum of $2,000,000.

CI Protect

• Basic coverage which includes the 4 most common critical illnesses in Canada: cancer, heart attack, stroke and coronary artery bypass
• A chosen beneficiary will receive a $1,000 death benefit regardless of the cause of death
• Guaranteed coverage available up to age 75
• Available in 10 and 20-year terms
• No return of premium options

CI Protect Plus

• Offers enhanced coverage (25 life-threatening medical conditions)
• Available in 10 and 20-year terms or coverage up to 75 years of age (10 and 20-year terms are convertible to age 75 coverage – until the insured person turns 65)
• A chosen beneficiary will receive a $1,000 death benefit regardless of the cause of death
• Additional benefits and riders: waiver of premium, accidental death & dismemberment, children’s life rider, children’s critical illness rider
• Return of premium options: return of premium on surrender or maturity rider, return of premium on death

For more information and an in-depth look at their critical illness coverage, read our Empire Life Critical Illness Insurance Review.

Investment Products and Other Financial Products

Besides insurance, Empire Life offers many investment solutions and personal financial products including: guaranteed investment funds and portfolios, GICs, annuities, RRSPs, RRIFs, TFSAs, mutual funds, and more.