Frequently Asked Questions

These are the most common questions we receive about our insurance products. I hope the answers below bring clarity and help you feel more confident in your options. If you need more information, please reach out anytime.

The information below is for general guidance only. Every insurance policy is different. Your specific coverage will depend on your needs, health history, and the insurer. For personalized advice, please speak with a licensed advisor.


 
 
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GENERAL LIFE INSURANCE QUESTIONS

  • We offer a full suite of protection solutions for both families and business owners. This includes:

    Life Insurance
    Critical Illness Insurance
    Disability Insurance
    Mortgage and Income Protection
    Group Benefits for employers
    Retirement income solutions such as annuities

    Our goal is to help you choose the right type of coverage for your life, your family, and your long-term plans.

  • Everyone. Children, adults, and even seniors.

    In fact, a newborn can get life insurance 14 days after they are born. While adult applications start at the age of 18+.

    Life insurance is for anyone who wants to protect loved ones from financial hardship.

  • Life insurance protects your family from the financial obligations that remain after you are gone. It can help cover:

    A mortgage
    Final expenses
    Debt protection
    Income replacement
    Education costs
    Family living expenses

    It provides a financial safety net during the hardest moments.

  • Term Life Insurance (Renting)
    Your payment stays the same for the length of the term.
    Common options include Term 10, Term 20, Term 30, Term 80, and Term 100.
    You choose the amount of coverage that fits your needs.
    Term is simple, affordable, and designed for temporary needs.

    Permanent Life Insurance (Owning)
    Permanent plans last for life and build cash value.
    This value grows inside the policy and can be used later to boost your death benefit, pay premiums, supplement retirement, or take a policy loan.
    Permanent insurance supports lifelong and estate planning goals.

  • Yes. Being a smoker does not prevent you from getting coverage.


    Premiums will be higher, but usually far more affordable than expected.


    We work with insurers who offer options for many lifestyles.

  • Not usually.
    Mortgage insurance only protects the bank by covering the remaining mortgage balance. It does not support your family’s other financial needs.

    Life insurance can cover much more, including:

    Housing costs
    Vehicles
    College or university tuition
    Food and living expenses
    Medical costs
    Funeral expenses

    Mortgage insurance also decreases in value as you pay down your home.
    Life insurance stays level and pays your family directly.

  • Employer-paid coverage is helpful but often not enough. More importantly, it is not portable. If you leave your job, the coverage may not follow you.

    Things to consider:

    Many employer plans cap coverage
    Most families need five to eight times their income in protection
    Your employer plan may not include critical illness or disability protection
    Group coverage rarely offers personalized assessments

    Personal coverage ensures your family is protected no matter where you work.

 
 

APPLICATION AND UNDERWRITING

  • Some plans issue coverage quickly, while others take longer because of medical underwriting. It depends on your age, health, and the amount of insurance you want.

  • Possibly. Age is one of the biggest factors that affect your premium.
    Applying earlier often results in better rates.

  • Yes. Many plans allow changes such as increasing coverage or converting term insurance to permanent insurance. We review your plan during major life milestones.

 
 
 

CRITICAL ILLNESS INSURANCE

  • Critical illness insurance pays a lump sum if you are diagnosed with a covered condition such as cancer, heart attack, or stroke. It provides financial relief so you can focus on recovery rather than expenses.

    Most critical illness policies cover 25 or more of the most common and life-altering conditions, although the exact list depends on the policy and the insurer.

    Common covered conditions may include:

    → Cancer
    → Heart attack
    → Stroke
    → Coronary artery bypass
    → Kidney failure
    → Major organ transplant
    → Multiple sclerosis
    → Paralysis
    → Blindness
    → Deafness
    → Loss of speech
    → Severe burns
    → Dementia including Alzheimer’s
    → Parkinson’s disease
    → Motor neuron disease
    → Benign brain tumour
    → Coma
    → Aortic surgery
    → Major organ failure
    → Occupational HIV
    → Severe rheumatoid arthritis
    → Advanced liver disease
    → Advanced lung disease
    → Advanced heart disease

    (The full list is always policy dependent, and we review it with you to make sure you understand your coverage.)

  • It can help pay for:

    Treatment and medications not fully covered
    Time away from work
    Childcare
    Travel for medical appointments
    Home adjustments

  • No. Critical illness benefits are usually paid tax-free.

  • Possibly. Each insurer has different guidelines. We help you find the most suitable options based on your medical history.

 
 

DISABILITY INSURANCE

  • Disability insurance replaces a portion of your income if an injury or illness stops you from working.
    It protects your ability to earn a living.

  • Yes. Most disability claims are not from accidents. They come from illnesses, mental health challenges, or chronic conditions. Anyone who earns an income should consider it.

  • It depends on your plan. Options can cover short-term or long-term needs, sometimes all the way to age 65.

  • Employer coverage may only replace a portion of your income and may stop when you leave the job. A personal policy ensures you have reliable, portable protection.

 
 

ANNUITY AND RETIREMENT

  • An annuity is a guaranteed income product that pays you for life or for a chosen number of years. It is ideal for people who want secure, predictable retirement income.

  • Annuities offer several advantages that other retirement options do not:

    Guaranteed lifetime income
    You receive a dependable income stream that you cannot outlive. This removes the fear of “running out of money” in retirement.

    Protection from market volatility
    Your payments stay the same regardless of what happens in the stock market, interest rates, or the economy.

    Simplicity
    There is no need to manage investments, rebalance accounts, or monitor markets. Your income arrives automatically.

    Optional inflation protection
    Some annuities include cost-of-living adjustments to help protect your purchasing power.

    Tax advantages
    If purchased inside an RRSP or RRIF, annuity payments follow the same tax rules as any registered plan.
    If purchased outside registered plans (a non-registered annuity), special tax treatment may reduce the taxable portion of each payment.

    Creditor and lawsuit protection
    In Canada, annuities purchased through a life insurance company can be protected from creditors and lawsuits, including during bankruptcy, if a protected class of beneficiary is named (such as a spouse, child, grandchild, or parent).

    This makes annuities very appealing for business owners, professionals, and anyone who wants to safeguard assets.

    Legacy protection
    Depending on the type of annuity, you can also choose options that ensure a guaranteed payout period or a refund to beneficiaries.

  • You might consider one if you want:

    → Guaranteed lifetime income
    → Protection from market fluctuations
    → A simple, stable retirement plan

  • Yes. In Canada, annuities are issued by life insurance companies and protected by Assuris within specific limits.

  • Yes. Annuities can complement your existing retirement savings and help create a balanced income strategy.

 
 

GROUP BENEFITS FOR BUSINESS OWNERS

  • A plan that offers health, dental, disability, life insurance, and wellness benefits to employees. It helps you protect your team and support retention.

  • Yes. Whether you have two employees or twenty employees, we can build a plan that fits your needs and your budget.

  • Yes. We offer solutions tailored to self-employed professionals.

 
 

INDUSTRY SPECIFIC GROUP INSURANCE

  • Yes. Electricians, carpenters, HVAC workers, and plumbers often need stronger disability protection and flexible benefit structures. We build plans for seasonal or growing teams.

  • Absolutely. These teams often need affordable coverage that works with varied schedules and roles.

  • Yes. We help nonprofits offer meaningful coverage at a sustainable cost.

  • Yes. Law offices, accounting firms, real estate teams, and tech companies often need competitive benefits to attract top talent.

  • Yes. We work with chiropractors, physiotherapists, massage therapy clinics, and dental offices.

  • Yes. Even small retail teams or part-time employees may qualify for affordable plans.