Types of No Medical Life Insurance in Canada

What is accelerated issue life insurance?

The average fully-underwritten life insurance policy takes roughly six weeks for approval. Some people do not have the luxury of time when trying to buy life insurance. And if you are in perfect health, you wouldn’t want to pay extra for faster approval.

That’s where accelerated issue life insurance comes into play.

It promises instant approval and is priced similar to standard life insurance policies.

But the catch is you must be in good health. If you are not, you may have to take a medical life insurance examination.

Accelerated underwriting policies use sophisticated algorithms to calculate the risk of insuring you and choosing premium rates. When applying, you will have to answer some health-related questions.

Life insurance providers will enter this information and other data like your driving record, into their algorithm. Depending on the results, you may receive approval without having to take a medical life insurance examination. If you don’t, life insurance providers will request you to complete a medical life insurance test.

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What is guaranteed issue life insurance with no medical exam?

Guaranteed issue life insurance provides coverage regardless of your medical history — hence the name. You don’t need to take a medical life insurance examination and may or may not answer medical questions (depending on the broker). Effectively, it is basically no-questions-asked life insurance.

However, it is significantly more expensive than permanent life insurance and simplified issue life insurance. And the coverage amount is rather limited, usually just enough to take care of end-of-life expenses. For this reason, it is also called funeral expense life insurance or burial insurance. Unlike standard whole life insurance policies, guaranteed issue doesn’t include a savings component.

Most guaranteed life insurance policies include a waiting period, usually two years. You need to hold on to your policy for two years before it pays out the death benefit to your family. If you die within this time, the insurance provider will refund the premium dollars paid into the policy to your family.

Guaranteed life insurance is for people who are seniors or unhealthy or both. If better insurance options may be available, it’s best to talk with your insurance broker first.

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What is simplified issue life insurance with no medical exam?

Simplified issue life insurance offers lifetime protection. But unlike permanent life insurance, which has full medical underwriting, it offers only basic coverage and doesn’t accumulate cash value.  

You don’t need to complete a physical exam, but must answer some medical questions to qualify. Not everybody who applies gets approval. The premium rates are considerably higher than fully underwritten permanent life insurance, while the benefit amount is much lower.

Some simplified issue life insurance policies have a waiting period, usually two years. Your family receives the policy’s proceeds only after the waiting period. If you die within the first two years, the insurer will not issue the payout. Instead, it will pay your family the premium dollars you had paid.

This type of life insurance policy can be the right choice for people who don’t qualify for a traditional life insurance policy or permanent life insurance, but are otherwise in reasonably good health.

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How long is the waiting period for different no medical life insurance options?

Some no medical life insurance policies include a waiting period, usually up to two years. These are typically designed for people who have a serious health condition or who are currently undergoing treatment.  

Your family will not receive the benefit amount if the claim is filed during the waiting period. However, the insurer is likely to refund premium dollars paid into the before then.

Accelerated issue life insurance vs. simplified issue life insurance vs. guaranteed issue life insurance

Here’s a quick comparison guide.

In the case of simplified issue life insurance, you need to answer health questions to qualify. Plus, the insurance companies can turn down your application if you are in poor health. On the other hand, guaranteed life insurance doesn’t include medical history questions. The insurer can’t deny coverage, provided you are not above a certain age, usually 85.

Simplified issue offers more coverage and is cheaper than guaranteed issue life insurance.

Conclusion

There are three types of no medical exam life insurance in Canada and they all have their pros and cons. The type that you choose will depend on your needs, what is available to you, how much coverage you need or want as well as your budget.

With some research and consideration, finding an appropriate no medical life insurance policy should not be too difficult so give yourself plenty of time before making any final decisions about which one best suits your situation.