For many Canadians, buying traditional life insurance can be difficult because it requires medical exams, blood tests, and detailed health questions.
If you have health conditions or want faster approval, non medical life insurance policies can provide coverage without medical testing.
But an important question most people ask is: “How much does non medical life insurance cost?”
In this guide we explain:
We also include example pricing and comparison tables to help you understand your options.
Non medical life insurance allows Canadians to obtain life insurance without completing a medical exam. Instead of medical testing, insurers use either a short health questionnaire, or no health questions at all.
There are two main types of policies:
Both options allow faster approvals but typically come with higher premiums than standard life insurance.
Understanding the differences helps explain why non medical life insurance cost in Canada is higher.
| Feature | Standard Life Insurance | Simplified Issue Life Insurance | Guaranteed Issue Life Insurance |
| Medical exam required | Usually yes | No | No |
| Health questions | Detailed | Short questionnaire | None |
| Approval time | Weeks | Days | Immediate |
| Coverage amounts | Up to millions | Usually up to $500K | Usually $25K–$50K |
| Premium cost | Lowest | 25–50% higher | 50–100% higher |
| Best for | Healthy applicants | Minor health issues | Serious health conditions |
In simple terms:
The non medical life insurance cost in Canada varies based on several factors such as age, gender, smoking status, coverage amount, policy type, insurance company underwriting rules.
Below is an example of typical monthly pricing differences for a non-smoking male for a Term 20 life insurance policy.
| Male, Age | Standard Life ($250k) | Simplified Issue ($250k) | Guaranteed Issue ($25k) |
| 30 | $16 | $18 | $97 |
| 40 | $27 | $28 | $130 |
| 50 | $69 | $71 | $172 |
| 60 | $202 | $228 | $325 |
Below is an example of typical monthly pricing differences for a non-smoking female for a Term 20 life insurance policy.
| Female, Age | Standard Life ($250k) | Simplified Issue ($250k) | Guaranteed Issue ($25k) |
| 30 | $13 | $15 | $78 |
| 40 | $20 | $20 | $102 |
| 50 | $47 | $48 | $130 |
| 60 | $143 | $160 | $238 |
Simplified issue policies are commonly used by Canadians who have moderate health conditions or want fast approval.
| Male, Age | $25K Coverage | $50K Coverage |
| 30 | $52/month | $97/month |
| 40 | $69/month | $130/month |
| 50 | $90/month | $171/month |
| 60 | $166/month | $325/month |
| Female, Age | $25K Coverage | $50K Coverage |
| 30 | $13/month | $19/month |
| 40 | $18/month | $30/month |
| 50 | $45/month | $95/month |
| 60 | $130/month | $265/month |
Because approval is guaranteed, premiums are significantly higher and coverage is usually limited.
| Male, Age | $25K Coverage | $50K Coverage |
| 30 | $52/month | $97/month |
| 40 | $69/month | $130/month |
| 50 | $90/month | $171/month |
| 60 | $166/month | $325/month |
| Female, Age | $25K Coverage | $50K Coverage |
| 30 | $35/month | $78/month |
| 40 | $45/month | $102/month |
| 50 | $56/month | $130/month |
| 60 | $100/month | $238/month |
Non medical life insurance is particularly valuable for Canadians with health conditions. Here are three common situations.
Michael, age 52, has type 2 diabetes and was declined for traditional life insurance. A simplified issue policy allowed him to get $200,000 coverage with approval in two days for $75/month.
Susan, age 61, had a previous heart surgery. A simplified issue policy provided $250,000 coverage for $175/month, providing the protection her family needed.
Robert, age 62, previously had cancer. He purchased guaranteed issue life insurance for $25,000 coverage at $174/month to cover funeral costs.
Because insurance companies assess risk differently, premiums vary. At NoMedicalLifeInsurance.ca, our licensed advisors work with more companies than most brokerages to help you find the best rate.
Simplified issue policies typically cost 25–50% more than standard life insurance, while guaranteed issue policies may cost 50–100% more.
Yes. Because simplified issue policies include health questions, insurers can assess risk better, resulting in lower premiums.
It accepts applicants regardless of health, meaning insurers take on significantly more risk.
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