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- People with pre-existing conditions can also secure life insurance in Canada. Options include traditional and no-medical life insurance policies
- The severity and management of your medical condition directly impact your premiums and eligibility to get life insurance approval
- For people with a medical condition who cannot undergo medical underwriting, simplified issue and guaranteed issue life insurance policies are the best option
- Healthy lifestyle changes, disclosing your pre-existing conditions, and applying at the right time can improve your approval chances and offer lower rates
- To get the right life insurance for medical conditions, it is also essential to compare policy coverage, exclusions, premiums, and optional riders
- Make sure to apply for life insurance when your pre-existing condition is well-managed or stable. Delaying the application may result in higher premiums or denial of your policy as well
- Some providers for life insurance with medical conditions include Canada Protection Plan, Foresters Financial, Canada Life, Sun Life, and Empire Life
- Understanding life insurance options for people with pre-existing conditions
- How does life insurance medical underwriting work?
- Which medical conditions affect life insurance approval in Canada?
- Which are the best life insurance companies for medical conditions in Canada?
- Do you need a medical exam to get life insurance for pre-existing conditions in Canada?
- Why shouldn’t you delay applying for life insurance with a medical condition?
- How to compare life insurance policies when you have a medical condition?
- How to get affordable life insurance when you have a medical condition?
- Frequently asked questions
Alcohol use is widespread in Canada and continues to increase, even in 2025. According to the 2023 Canadian Community Health Survey, over three-quarters (roughly 77%) of adults in Canada’s provinces reported consuming at least one alcoholic beverage in the past 12 months. Applying for life insurance can be challenging, especially if you’re in recovery from alcohol addiction.
In this blog, we’ll explore how insurance companies assess applicants with a history of alcohol use. Whether you’ve been sober for six months or six years, you’ll gain insights into the best life insurance policies for recovering alcoholics in Canada.
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Understanding life insurance options for people with pre-existing conditions
To get the right coverage, understanding life insurance options for medical conditions is essential. You can choose from options like traditional life insurance, simplified issue, and guaranteed issue life insurance.
Traditional life insurance
Also known as fully underwritten life insurance, this type of life insurance option provides the best rates and the highest coverage. However, it requires detailed health questions and sometimes a life insurance medical exam.
No medical life insurance
No medical life insurance option does not require you to have an extensive medical exam or blood test to qualify for a policy. If you have a pre-existing condition, this option can be your best bet. The coverage offered under a no-medical life insurance can be lower with higher premiums as compared to traditional life insurance. It includes:
- Simplified issue life insurance, where you answer a few questions about your medical history, but no medical exam is required
- Guaranteed issue life insurance is very convenient as it does not require any medical exam or questions to qualify for a policy
How to choose a life insurance option based on your health and budget?
Choosing the right life insurance plan depends on your medical situation and what you can afford, so match your coverage type to both your medical needs and your budget.
- Evaluate your health: For minor, well-managed conditions like controlled high blood pressure, traditional life insurance has lower premiums and greater coverage (e.g., $500,000 for $40–$60/month). For severe conditions like heart disease, go for no-medical policies like simplified issue (fewer health questions) or guaranteed issue (no questions or exams)
- Review your budget: If you are willing to pay higher premiums ($50–$100/month), no-medical life insurance policies provide convenience and quicker approval. If you have a low budget, you can go with a traditional life insurance policy, but it will require a medical exam
For example, a 45-year-old Canadian with type 2 diabetes may qualify for $200,000 in simplified issue coverage for $60–$90/month or $500,000 in traditional coverage at $45–$70/month if the medical condition is controlled and they pass a medical exam
How does life insurance medical underwriting work?
Life insurance medical underwriting is a process insurance companies follow to assess if they can offer you coverage or not. It includes reviewing details like your age, severity of health conditions, family medical history, lifestyle, smoking habits, occupation, and more. If you have any existing medical conditions, you may also have to go through a medical exam. Based on this assessment, your insurer either approves your coverage or rejects it.
Life insurance medical underwriting is also used to determine the premium rates for your policy. Medical conditions that are mild and well-controlled only slightly increase your premium.
On the other hand, severe conditions can lead to higher premiums and maybe even denial of traditional coverage. In such cases, no-medical life insurance is always an option.
Which medical conditions affect life insurance approval in Canada?
Life insurance providers assess your health to estimate your life expectancy. If you have a pre-existing medical condition, it can impact your eligibility, increase your premiums, or result in a modified or denied policy.
- Heart disease: Conditions like a previous heart attack, coronary artery disease, or irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia) often lead to higher premiums.
- Cancer: The coverage depends on cancer type, stage, and remission period. For instance, stage 1 cancer patients who have been in remission for over five years may qualify for standard rates, whereas recent or metastatic cancer might lead to a denial or deferred application
- Diabetes: Type 2 diabetes that’s well-managed with diet or medication might be insurable with slightly higher premiums. However, poorly controlled diabetes with complications (e.g., neuropathy or vision loss) increases the risk significantly
- High blood pressure: If controlled with medication and lifestyle, you can get life insurance for high blood pressure
- Obesity: Individuals with a BMI over 35 or 40 may face higher premiums, especially if it’s linked to other conditions like sleep apnea, high cholesterol, or type 2 diabetes
- Mental health conditions: Conditions like major depression, anxiety disorders, or bipolar disorder can influence life insurance approval, especially if there’s a history of hospitalization, suicide attempts, or disability claims
- Chronic liver or kidney disease: Applicants with hepatitis B/C, cirrhosis, or chronic kidney disease may face limited coverage options
- Respiratory conditions: Severe or uncontrolled COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), especially in smokers, typically results in much higher premiums
- Neurological disorders: Conditions like multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson’s disease, or a history of strokes or seizures can affect insurability depending on their severity and progression
- HIV/AIDS: Some insurers now offer coverage to HIV-positive applicants who meet strict treatment and health stability requirements. Expect limited options and higher costs
Which are the best life insurance companies for medical conditions in Canada?
Securing life insurance for pre-existing conditions with the right insurance provider can give you better coverage and costs. Several insurers are well-known for accepting applicants with medical conditions. These include Canada Protection Plan, Foresters Financial, Canada Life, Sun Life, and Empire Life.
Best life insurance companies for medical conditions
| Company | Notable plans | Features and coverage | Highlights for medical conditions |
| Canada Protection Plan |
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| Foresters Financial |
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| Canada Life |
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| Empire Life |
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| Sun Life |
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How does the severity and control of your medical condition matter?
Insurance companies consider the severity and control to approve your life insurance policy. They classify applicants based on different risk categories such as preferred risk, standard risk, and substandard risk.
- Preferred risk: This is for healthy individuals with no or minor medical conditions. They are offered the lowest premiums
- Standard risk: For applicants with some pre-existing conditions, but those are well-manageable. They are offered moderate premiums
- Substandard risk: For people who have a serious medical condition or a poorly controlled condition. They are offered a higher premium or restricted coverage
Do you need a medical exam to get life insurance for pre-existing conditions in Canada?
The need for a medical exam depends on the type of policy you are choosing, such as traditional or no-exam insurance.
- Traditional insurance: If you are looking to purchase a traditional life insurance policy, you will have to give a life insurance medical exam. Such a medical exam typically includes questions about your health history, blood or urine tests, and a basic check of weight, height, and blood pressure
- No-exam insurance options: If you have an existing medical condition and are skeptical about a medical exam, you can either go for simplified issue or guaranteed issue life insurance options. Simplified issue life insurance policies require just a few health questions, while a guaranteed issue policy does not require any questions
Why shouldn’t you delay applying for life insurance with a medical condition?
Delaying your life insurance application, especially when you have a pre-existing condition, can restrict your coverage and increase your premiums as well. If you wait, your health condition may worsen or you may develop new conditions, which can make it harder to qualify for a life insurance policy in the future. There is also a possibility of your application being denied by your insurer.
Applying at a time when your condition is stable or well-controlled can help you secure broad coverage at moderate premium rates. You may also have to face a waiting period for a pre-existing condition, so getting coverage sooner can start your waiting period earlier.
How to compare life insurance policies when you have a medical condition?
There are some key factors that you must review while comparing life insurance with medical conditions. These include coverage, premium, policy exclusions, riders, and policy wordings.
- Policy coverage: Consider the amount and type of coverage you want under your life insurance policy. Choose an amount and coverage that suits your budget and matches your future needs
- Exclusions: Some insurers may not offer coverage for certain medical conditions, or they may have waiting periods for such conditions. Always check whether your pre-existing condition is covered or excluded in the policy wording
- Premium rates: The cost of your policy depends on your age, health, occupation, and severity of medical condition. So, make sure to compare what different insurers charge for the same policy. You can take help from an online tool like a life insurance premium calculator or connect with licensed advisors at PolicyAdvisor for a detailed cost comparison
- Optional riders: You can also add an optional rider to your policy to enhance its coverage. These riders come with an extra cost. Consider whether these riders will be helpful for you, as per your health risks and budget
How to get affordable life insurance for medical conditions?
Getting affordable life insurance with pre-existing conditions is possible if you follow the right approach.
Some ways to increase your chances of securing a life insurance policy within your needs and budget include lifestyle changes, being honest with disclosure, applying at the right time, and working with an insurance broker.
- Be honest about your health: Hiding any medical condition will never get you a good policy. There may be chances of denied claims or even policy cancellations. So, make sure to disclose your medical conditions or any medical records at the time of application
- Improve your lifestyle: Improving your health and lifestyle habits can also make it easier to get the right life insurance policy at budget-friendly rates. Quitting smoking, keeping a check on your weight, blood pressure, and cholesterol, and limiting alcohol intake can lead to lower premiums
- Apply at the right time: If you have had a major health issue recently, and you apply right after, the chances of getting your application rejected increase. So, it’s always better to wait till your condition gets stable and then apply for a policy. Some insurers may also have a specific waiting period for when you can apply after a serious medical condition
- Work with an experienced broker: Working with a life insurance broker can help you choose the best policy for yourself. By assessing your medical conditions, lifestyle habits, occupation, and budget, they can help you get the best life insurance for medical conditions. Our licensed advisors at PolicyAdvisor can do all this for you and help you choose the right policy by comparing life plans of 30+ insurers
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get life insurance if I have a medical condition?
Yes, you can get life insurance even if you have an existing medical condition. Many insurance providers offer life insurance plans that cater to people with pre-existing conditions. However, your coverage and premium will depend on the severity and management of your health condition.
What medical conditions make it hard to get life insurance?
Health conditions that are not managed properly and severe, or have a high risk of early death can make it hard to get a life insurance policy. Some such conditions include advanced-stage cancer, kidney failure, recurrent heart attacks, and some serious mental health issues.
What should I do if my life insurance application is denied due to a medical condition?
If your life insurance application is denied by the insurer, you can appeal and look for alternate options. These include:
- Request a detailed explanation from your insurer
- Reapply with the same insurer or go for a different one
- Consider the simplified issue of guaranteed issue life insurance
- Work with an insurance broker like PolicyAdvisor to explore various insurance options
- Appeal the decision if you believe it was based on inaccurate information
What medical illness does life insurance not cover?
The coverage of life insurance generally depends on the insurer. It generally does not cover deaths arising out of a medical condition that was under exclusions in your policy. Some common exclusions include death from an undisclosed medical condition, death from intentional drug abuse self inflicted injury, or suicide.
What is the life insurance payout in Canada?
The life insurance payout refers to a lump sum amount paid to your beneficiaries at the time of your death. This tax-free payment can support your family’s financial future in times of need. You can choose the life insurance coverage amount when you buy the policy, depending on your budget and needs.
Is high blood pressure a pre-existing medical condition?
Yes, high blood pressure is a pre-existing medical condition. But if you can manage it well with medication and lifestyle changes, you can qualify for life insurance with existing medical conditions at a moderate premium.
How do insurance companies determine pre-existing conditions?
To determine any pre-existing conditions, insurers can review your past medical history, medications, and may also require doctor’s reports, such as blood test/urine test, or may take a medical exam to understand the severity of your condition.
What is the waiting period for life insurance for existing conditions?
Life insurance policies, especially simplified or guaranteed issue policies, usually have a waiting period for pre-existing conditions. This waiting period is typically 2 years. During this period, any medication or treatment costs will be covered by you and not the insurer.
A medical condition doesn’t mean you can’t get affordable life insurance in Canada. By understanding different life insurance policy options, being transparent about your pre-existing conditions, and making positive lifestyle changes, you can get coverage that meets your needs. Working with an experienced insurance broker like PolicyAdvisor and applying at the right time can further improve your chances of approval and help you secure your family’s financial future with confidence.
LIMRA. “Nearly One-Third of Canadian Adults Report Living with a Life Insurance Coverage Gap.” LIMRA, January 22, 2024.
