If you have a health condition, you may still qualify for life insurance in Canada. This page helps you explore your options by condition and understand how no medical life insurance may work for your situation
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Can You Get Life Insurance with a Pre-Existing Condition?
Yes — many Canadians with pre-existing conditions can still qualify for life insurance.
Your eligibility depends on factors such as the type of condition, how well it is managed, when you were diagnosed, and whether there have been any recent complications or hospitalizations.
In many cases, no medical life insurance allows you to apply without blood tests or doctor visits. Some policies ask a few health questions, while others offer guaranteed approval with no questions at all.
Find Life Insurance by Health Condition
Start with the condition that best matches your situation. Each page explains how that condition may affect approval and what options may be available.
Heart and Blood Pressure Conditions
Life Insurance with Heart Disease
Life Insurance After Heart Attack
Life Insurance with High Blood Pressure
Cancer and Serious Illness History
Life Insurance After Cancer
Life Insurance with HIV
Life Insurance with Multiple Sclerosis
Metabolic and Chronic Conditions
Life Insurance with Diabetes
Life Insurance with Obesity
Life Insurance with Depression
How Health Conditions Affect Life Insurance Approval
Pre-existing conditions do not automatically prevent you from getting life insurance, but they do influence how insurers assess your application.
What insurers typically consider:
- The type of condition
- How severe or advanced it is
- Whether it is controlled or stable
- Medications and treatment
- Recent hospitalizations or complications
In general, well-managed conditions offer more options. More serious or recent conditions may limit choices, but coverage is often still possible.
No Medical Life Insurance Options
If you have a pre-existing condition, no medical life insurance is often the simplest way to get covered.
No medical life insurance includes two main types of coverage for applicants who want to avoid medical exams or may not qualify for traditional policies.
Simplified life insurance typically offers lower premiums for those with moderate conditions, while guaranteed life insurance is a good choice for those with serious health conditions. It comes though with higher costs and lower coverage.
Please see below a comparison of no medical life insurance types alongside traditional (fully underwritten) life insurance.
| Type | Medical Exam | Health Questions | Approval Time | Cost | Best for |
| 1. Guaranteed Issue Life Insurance | Instant – 24 hours | $$$ | Applicants with serious health conditions or prior declines | ||
| 2. Simplified Issue Life Insurance | Same day-few days | $$ | Applicants with moderate health conditions | ||
| 3. Traditional Life Insurance (Fully Underwritten) | 2 to 6 weeks | $ | Applicants in good health looking for the lowest cost |
Simplified Issue Life Insurance
Requires answering a short series of health questions (typically between 5 and 10) instead of completing a medical exam. Approval depends on your health history, but many applicants with stable or well-managed conditions can still qualify.
These policies typically offer lower premiums and higher coverage amounts compared to guaranteed life insurance.
Guaranteed Issue Life Insurance
No medical exams and no health questions are required, and approval is guaranteed regardless of your health. Coverage amounts are usually smaller and premiums are higher compared to other options.
Most policies include a 2-year waiting period, during which non-accidental death results in a refund of premiums (often with interest), while accidental death is typically covered in full from day one.
Compare Your Options
Insurance companies assess health conditions differently. Comparing multiple insurers can help you find better rates and improve your chances of approval.
Who This Page Is For
This page is designed for Canadians who:
FAQ About life insurance with a pre-existing condition
Can I get life insurance with a pre-existing condition in Canada?
Yes. Many Canadians with health conditions can still qualify, especially through no medical life insurance options.
What is the best life insurance option if I have a health condition?
It depends on your condition. Some people qualify for simplified policies, while others may need guaranteed approval options.
Do I need a medical exam?
Not always. Many policies allow you to apply without medical tests.
Can I get life insurance after being declined?
Yes. A decline does not mean you cannot get coverage. Other options may still be available.
Which conditions make approval harder?
More serious, recent, or unstable conditions can make approval more difficult, but options may still exist.
Get a Quote Based on Your Situation
Find out what life insurance options may be available to you – even with a pre-existing condition.