Insurance · No-medical

Best no-medical life insurance in Canada

Q: What is the difference between simplified-issue and guaranteed-issue?

Simplified-issue asks health questions but no medical exam — answer them cleanly and you get full, immediate coverage. Guaranteed-issue asks no questions and can’t decline you, but it’s the most expensive, caps coverage low, and typically pays only premiums-plus-interest (not the full benefit) if you die in the first two years.

No-medical and guaranteed-issue policies skip the medical exam — coverage when health, time or a needle is the barrier. We compare the Canadian insurers that offer it, and the trade-offs.

Compare 8 insurers How much do I need?

What “no-medical” life insurance really means

There are two kinds. Simplified-issue skips the medical exam but still asks health questions — approval can be quick, often instant, with full coverage if you answer cleanly. Guaranteed-issue (guaranteed acceptance) asks no health questions and cannot decline you, but it costs the most, caps coverage low (often $25,000–$50,000), and usually has a two-year waiting period before the full death benefit is paid.

No-medical is the right tool when a regular policy isn’t practical: a health condition that would be declined or heavily rated, a need to get covered fast, or a dislike of medical exams. If you’re healthy, a fully underwritten policy is almost always cheaper for the same coverage — so get a regular quote first.

These policies are often used for final expenses — funeral and end-of-life costs — which is why they overlap with coverage for seniors. See life insurance for seniors.

Best for your situation

No questions asked (guaranteed issue)

Canada Protection Plan RBC Insurance iA Financial Group

Coverage you cannot be declined for: Canada Protection Plan, RBC’s Guaranteed Acceptance (to $40K) and iA’s Access Life (issues to age 80).

Fast simplified-issue

PolicyMe Canada Protection Plan Manulife (CoverMe)

Skip the exam, keep full coverage: PolicyMe approves many applicants instantly; CPP and Manulife offer simplified-issue plans.

The 8 insurers that offer it

Insurer	Buy online?	Products	Issue age	Financial strength
Canada LifeLargest participating whole life	Advisor	Term, Whole, Universal, No-medical	My Term to age 85 minus term; My Simple Term 18–80	AM Best A+ · DBRS AA · Moody’s Aa3 · S&P AA	Review
Manulife (CoverMe)Most you can buy online	Yes	Term, Whole, Universal, No-medical, Guaranteed issue	CoverMe Term 18–70; CoverMe Guaranteed Issue 40–75	AM Best A+ · DBRS AA (Manufacturers Life)	Review
Sun LifeOnline term + final expense	Yes	Term, Whole, Universal, No-medical, Guaranteed issue	Go Term/Simplified 18–69; Go Guaranteed Life 30–74	AM Best A+ · Moody’s Aa3 · DBRS AA	Review
RBC InsuranceHighest guaranteed-acceptance cap	Yes	Term, Whole, Universal, No-medical, Guaranteed issue	Term 18–70 (10–15 yr); Whole 0–80; UL 0–85; Guaranteed Acceptance 40–75	AM Best A (Excellent) — see note	Review
iA Financial GroupWidest term flexibility	Advisor	Term, Whole, Universal, No-medical, Guaranteed issue	Pick-a-Term 0–70; Access Life 6 months–80	AM Best A+ · DBRS AA (low)	Details
Empire LifeParticipating whole-life focus	Advisor	Term, Whole, Universal, No-medical, Guaranteed issue	Solution 20: 18–65; Guaranteed Life Protect 40–75	DBRS A (high) · AM Best A (Excellent)	Details
Canada Protection PlanNo-medical specialist	Advisor	Term, Whole, No-medical, Guaranteed issue	Permanent plans 18–80; Guaranteed Acceptance 18–75	AM Best A · DBRS A (Foresters)	Review
PolicyMeBest fully-online term	Yes	Term, No-medical	18–75	AM Best A (per PolicyMe) — see note	Review

Full insurer details, products and sources are on the best life insurance comparison. Products and ratings verified June 13, 2026; premiums are individually quoted.

Frequently asked questions

Is no-medical life insurance worth it?

It depends on your health. If you have a condition that would be declined or heavily rated on a regular policy, or you need coverage immediately, no-medical is worth it. If you’re reasonably healthy, a fully underwritten policy costs much less for the same death benefit — no-medical convenience comes at a real price, so always compare a regular quote first.

What is the difference between simplified-issue and guaranteed-issue?

Simplified-issue asks health questions but no medical exam — answer them cleanly and you get full, immediate coverage. Guaranteed-issue asks no questions and can’t decline you, but it’s the most expensive, caps coverage low, and typically pays only premiums-plus-interest (not the full benefit) if you die in the first two years.

How much no-medical coverage can I get?

It varies by type and insurer. Simplified-issue plans can reach meaningful amounts (hundreds of thousands at some insurers) if you answer the health questions cleanly. Guaranteed-issue is usually capped low — commonly $25,000 to $40,000 — which is why it’s mainly used for final expenses rather than income replacement.

See every insurer, side by side

Full products, issue ages, financial strength and sources for all eight major Canadian life insurers.

Best life insurance Term vs whole

Educational only, not insurance advice. Product availability, issue ages and ratings are set by each insurer and the rating agencies, vary by product and change over time; details are sourced to each insurer's own site and verified June 13, 2026. Premiums are individually underwritten. Speak with a licensed advisor before buying. See our methodology.