The Critical Illness marketplace in Canada is heating up. Since the first Canadian Critical Illness policy was sold in the mid-’90s, annualized new premium sales have steadily increased. Premium sales rose by 6 per cent to $103.8 million in 2011. The insurance industry sold 7 per cent more policies than it did in 2010 during this period, and insurers sold 100,775 individual Critical Illness policies in Canada last year, so it’s clear that insurance companies are taking notice of the trend.
There are a wide variety of Critical Illness providers in Canada. The following comparison chart lists the different providers in Canada and their product names, age limits, and face amounts. However, when buying Critical Illness plans, you should consider other factors, including premium guarantees, conversion options, illnesses covered, and return-of-premium features.
| Company | Product | Issue age | Face amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Cross | Tangible | 30 days to 60 years | $25,000 to $2 million |
| BMO Insurance | Living Benefit | 18 to 65 | $25,000 to $2 million ($1 million on 15-pay Term 100) |
| Canada Life | Advance | 18 to 60 and 18 to 65 on Term 10, Term 75, and Term 100 | $10,000 to $2 million and $2.5 million (on a case-by-case basis) |
| The Cooperators | Critical Assist Two | 18 to 65 on Term 10, and 18 to 50 on Term 25 | $25,000 to $2 million |
| Cumis Life | Critical Care | 16 to 65 | $25,000 to $3 million |
| Desjardins Insurance | Harmony | 18 to 65 | $25,000 to $2 million |
| Equitable Life | Equiliving | 30 days to 65 years | $25,000 to $2 million |
| Foresters | Life Care | 18 to 65 | $25,000 to $2 million |
| Industrial Alliance | Transition | 0 to 65 Simplified Issue: 18 to 65 | $10,000 to $2 million Simplified issue: $10,000 to $100,000 |
| Manulife | Life Check | 18 to 65 and 18 to 55 on Term 100 | $25,000 to $2 million |
| RBC Insurance | Critical Illness Recovery | 18 to 65 | $25,000 to $2 million |
| SSQ Financial Group | Critical Illness | 18 to 65 | $25,000 to $2 million |
| Sun Life | Sun Critical Illness | 18 to 65 Term to 75: 18 to 59 | |
| UL Mutual | Critical Illness | 1 to 65 | $10,000 to $2 million |
| Wawanessa Life | Quick Issue Critical Illness | 18 to 60 | $10,000 to $100,000 |
Source: Insurance and Investment Journal
Yes, thank you i read the article but where is the growth on the ROP option?
Also, why would anyone want the ROP and let the insurance company off the hook for for say a $100k CI policy especially when one is older and you would anyway get a ROP on death…
Thanks Steve. No companies that I know of offer a Return of Premium option with interest but this would be an interesting feature. This would likely cause a steep rise in the premium.
Hi Chantal,
Is it worth spending the extra $’s to get a refund of premiums at age 65 on a Critical illness policy. Bearing in mind that tommorrow’s $ might not be worth as much as today’s i.e. inflation.
My main concern is over the next 15-20years as my kids are still young i.e. 10,7 & 5.
Hi Steve, Good question we explored this issue with Critical Illness Insurance specialist Andrew Burdi a little while back. Her’s the article https://lsminsurance.ca/life-insurance-canada/2011/02/critical-illness-is-return-of-premium-a-good-deal. Regards, Chantal
How will hight blood pressure effeect my premium. I have it since 2002
Hi Inez,
If you high blood pressure is under control you should still be able to get standard rates.