Life insurance for recovering alcoholics in Canada

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.

Can a recovering alcoholic get life insurance in Canada?

Yes, a recovering alcoholic can get life insurance in Canada, but the type of coverage, premium rates, and eligibility will depend on several key factors. Insurers typically assess your length of sobriety, overall health, and medical history, including treatment for alcohol use disorder and any related conditions such as liver disease, depression, or anxiety.

The longer you’ve been sober and the more stable your health, the better your chances of qualifying for a wider range of policies. While recovering applicants may face higher premiums or limited options early in their sobriety, coverage is possible, and often improves with time and lifestyle stability.

How can recovering alcoholics qualify for life insurance in Canada?

Recovering alcoholics can qualify for life insurance, but insurers base eligibility on several medical and lifestyle factors. Insurers carefully evaluate your risk profile, and the stronger your recovery journey, the better your chances of approval. 

1. Duration of sobriety

Most life insurance providers require at least 2 to 5 years of continuous sobriety to be eligible for traditional fully underwritten policies. The longer you’ve been sober, the more favorable your rates.

• Less than 2 years: You may still qualify for simplified or no medical life insurance, though with higher premiums
• 5+ years: Strong candidates for standard or near-standard rates with traditional policies

2. Completion of treatment or rehabilitation

Insurers look favorably on applicants who have completed a recognized alcohol rehabilitation program or ongoing therapy. Proof of treatment completion, such as medical records or a doctor’s letter, can strengthen your application.

3. Alcohol-related medical history

A major part of the underwriting process is your medical history, especially if your past alcohol use has led to other health conditions. Common alcohol-related conditions that insurers consider high-risk include:

• Liver disease, such as fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis, and cirrhosis
• Pancreatitis
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Cardiomyopathy or other heart conditions
• Gastrointestinal disorders such as GERD, ulcers, and gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding
• Neurological issues such as memory problems, peripheral neuropathy
• Mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder
• History of overdose or hospitalizations related to alcohol

The absence of these conditions, confirmed through recent medical reports, can greatly improve your insurability.

4. Current health and lifestyle stability

Insurers want to see that you’re leading a healthy, stable lifestyle post-recovery. Factors that can support your application include:

• Stable employment and income
• Regular check-ups and doctor visits
• Active participation in recovery groups (e.g., AA, therapy)
• No recent hospital admissions or ER visits
• Clean driving record and no history of DUIs or legal issues

5. Smoking status

If you smoke or use tobacco, it will further increase your risk rating. Non-smokers usually qualify for lower premiums.

What is the best life insurance for recovering alcoholics in Canada?

Recovering alcoholics can still qualify for life insurance in Canada, but approval depends on the insurer’s underwriting guidelines, your sobriety period, and overall health. Some companies, such as Manulife, Empire Life, and RBC, focus on traditional fully underwritten policies, while other companies, like iA Financial, Canada Protection Plan, UV, and Assumption Life, specialize in simplified or no-medical life insurance that suits individuals with a history of substance use. 

• Manulife: Manulife is favored as the best life insurance for recovering alcoholics because it considers applicants who have been sober for at least five years and have no recent relapses or severe alcohol-related health issues.
• Canada Life: Canada Life offers traditional life insurance and evaluates applicants based on the duration of sobriety, treatment history, and current medical condition.
• Canada Protection Plan: Canada Protection Plan offers simplified and no-medical life insurance options that suit applicants in early recovery or with pre-existing conditions.
• RBC Insurance: RBC reviews applications from individuals with long-term sobriety and good health, and uses detailed medical and lifestyle assessments in underwriting.
• UV Insurance: UV Insurance provides express and simplified issue life insurance that does not require a medical exam but may include follow-up questions on alcohol use.
• Assumption Life: Assumption Life offers a range of no-medical and simplified policies designed for applicants with past substance use and stable recovery.
• iA (Industrial Alliance): iA considers applicants who have maintained sobriety and provides both traditional and simplified insurance depending on the risk level.
• Empire Life: Empire Life generally accepts applicants with five or more years of continuous sobriety and no significant alcohol-related medical complications.
• Humania Assurance: Humania provides flexible, no-medical life insurance policies that work well for individuals in recovery with manageable health profiles

Can recovering alcoholics qualify for traditional life insurance?

Yes, recovering alcoholics can qualify for traditional life insurance in Canada, especially if they have been sober for a significant period, typically five years or more. Major insurers such as Canada Life, Manulife, RBC Insurance, and Empire Life may offer coverage to individuals with a history of alcohol use, but approvals are subject to strict underwriting protocols.

When applying, insurers will conduct an in-depth risk assessment, often requiring detailed medical and lifestyle information for medical underwriting, including:

• Current age
• History and pattern of alcohol use (e.g., daily, social, or binge drinking)
• Amount of alcohol previously consumed
• Diagnosis of alcohol abuse or dependence
• Duration of sobriety or moderation
• Any history of relapse
• Participation in self-help or recovery groups (e.g., AA)
• Use of medications for recovery or mental health
• Co-existing medical or psychological conditions (e.g., anxiety, depression)
• Alcohol-related complications such as fatty liver, cirrhosis, pancreatitis, heart attack or damage
• Driving history, including DUI offences
• History of drug use or emotional disorders

Your insurer may additionally ask for additional medical evaluations and documentation, such as:

• Alcohol usage questionnaires
• Attending physician’s statement (APS)
• Motor vehicle report
• Comprehensive blood profile

If the applicant still consumes alcohol or shows signs of alcohol-related health issues, the insurer will most likely decline the application. However, insurers often consider applicants who have demonstrated long-term sobriety, stable health, and lifestyle improvements for coverage at standard rates, depending on their risk assessment.

Is no-medical life insurance a good option for recovering alcoholics?

Yes, no-medical life insurance can be a practical option for recovering alcoholics in Canada, particularly for those who may not qualify for traditional coverage. These policies do not require a medical exam and typically involve fewer health-related questions.

Several Canadian insurers, such as Assumption Life, Canada Protection Plan, iA Financial Group, Humania Assurance, and UV Insurance, offer no-medical or simplified issue life insurance plans. Coverage amounts often range between $250,000 and $750,000, depending on the insurer and individual risk factors. However, insurers do not guarantee your plan’s approval. Many plans include screening questions, and applicants may face rejection if they show:

• Abnormal body weight (either underweight or significantly overweight based on BMI)
• Recent or active alcohol abuse or treatment within the last 12 months
• Serious alcohol-related medical conditions, such as cirrhosis, fatty liver, heart damage, or pancreatitis
• Severe mental health conditions or a history of hospitalization for psychiatric reasons
• Multiple health issues (co-morbidities) that compound risk
• Recent relapses or ongoing substance use

Some plans, like UV’s Express Life Insurance, may ask follow-up questions even without a medical exam. These may relate to sobriety duration, past relapses, medications, or participation in recovery programs.

What is the waiting period to buy life insurance for recovering alcoholics in Canada?

In Canada, most traditional life insurance policies have a two-year contestability period. During this time, the insurer can investigate and deny a claim if there’s any misrepresentation, including undisclosed alcohol use or relapse. 

For simplified issue life insurance, there’s often a two-year graded benefit period. If the insured passes away during this time, the insurer typically refunds premiums with interest instead of paying the full benefit. These waiting periods help insurers manage risk and are crucial for applicants in recovery to understand.

Is life insurance with pre-existing conditions costly for recovering alcoholics?

Yes, life insurance with pre-existing conditions can be expensive in Canada. Insurance providers treat conditions such as fatty liver, cirrhosis, high blood pressure, pancreatitis, and alcohol-related heart or nerve damage as high-risk factors. Mental health concerns like depression, anxiety, or past suicide attempts also raise concerns during the underwriting process. 

If these conditions appear recent, severe, or uncontrolled, insurers usually increase premiums, reduce coverage options, or decline the application completely. However, if the applicant has maintained stable health and long-term sobriety, some insurers may offer standard or slightly higher-than-standard rates. 

Can I get life insurance as a recovering alcoholic with liver problems?

Yes, but recovering alcoholics with liver problems, such as fatty liver, hepatitis, or cirrhosis, may face higher scrutiny during underwriting. Traditional life insurance may be unavailable if the condition is severe or poorly managed. 

However, some insurers offer simplified or no-medical life insurance options that do not require medical exams but may come with higher premiums and lower coverage. Maintaining stable liver function, sobriety, and providing recent medical documentation can improve your chances of qualifying for coverage.

Can a recovering alcoholic with past rehab records get life insurance coverage?

Yes, but the outcome depends on how recently you attended rehab. If you were in rehab within the last year, most traditional life insurance providers in Canada will postpone or decline your application, as they typically require a longer period of demonstrated sobriety and stability. However, no-medical or simplified issue life insurance may still be an option, though at higher premiums.

If you have not been in rehab for at least five years and have remained sober with no relapses or major health concerns, you may qualify for traditional life insurance with standard or slightly rated premiums, depending on your overall health and lifestyle.

Will past alcohol-related health issues affect my life insurance application?

Yes, past alcohol-related health issues can significantly affect your life insurance application in Canada. Insurers assess both your medical history and your current health to determine your risk level. If you have experienced conditions linked to alcohol use, such as fatty liver, cirrhosis, pancreatitis, high blood pressure, heart disease, or depression, they may view your application as higher risk.

Depending on the severity and stability of these conditions, insurers may take one of the following actions:

• Approve your application at a higher premium (rated policy)
• Offer limited coverage through simplified or no-medical policies
• Postpone or decline your application, especially if the issue is recent, ongoing, or poorly managed

To improve your chances of approval, it’s important to demonstrate that your condition is under control. Providing recent medical records, test results, and proof of long-term sobriety will help underwriters assess your risk more favourably.

Where can a recovering alcoholic apply for life insurance?

Life insurance for recovering alcoholics is available in Canada, but the key is choosing the right provider and the right type of policy based on your sobriety history and health status. You can compare life insurance providers, their offerings, and monthly premiums.

However, navigating multiple insurers on your own can be overwhelming, especially with complex underwriting requirements. This is where platforms like PolicyAdvisor can be extremely helpful. We have partnered with over 30 leading insurers and help applicants with pre-existing conditions or a history of alcohol use receive the best life insurance quotes in one place. 

We can help you access both traditional and no-medical life insurance products, and our licensed advisors can guide you through the process, help you gather the required documents, and find insurers more open to approving recovery-based cases. Check out our life insurance calculator to get a quote in under 60 seconds.