Life insurance, made simple.
A calm, plain-language guide to life insurance in Canada, for families in British Columbia and Ontario who want to understand before they decide. No pressure, no confusing terminology.
What is life insurance?
Life insurance is a contract between you and an insurance company. In exchange for the premiums you pay, the insurer agrees to provide a benefit to the people you name (your beneficiaries) when you pass away, subject to the terms and conditions of the policy.
At its heart, life insurance is designed to help provide financial support to the people you love, so that a difficult time isn't made harder by financial worry.
Why do people buy life insurance?
People consider life insurance for many reasons, and the right reason depends entirely on your life. Common needs may include:
- Replacing income your family depends on
- Protecting dependants
- Paying off a mortgage
- Covering outstanding debts
- Supporting children as they grow
- Helping with education costs
- Covering final expenses
- Certain estate-related needs, where appropriate
Not everyone needs the same amount or type of insurance. The goal is to understand what fits your situation, not to fit you into a template.
Term Life Insurance
Term life insurance covers you for a specified period, the 'term.' Common terms include 10, 20, or 30 years. If you pass away during the term, the policy pays the benefit to your beneficiaries, subject to the policy's terms.
People often consider term insurance because it generally costs less than permanent coverage during the term, and because it can match a need that may ease over time, for example, while children are growing or a mortgage is being paid down. When the term ends, your needs may have changed, so it's worth reviewing your options well before then.
Book a CallPermanent Life Insurance
Permanent life insurance is designed to last your entire lifetime, as long as the policy's conditions (such as paying the required premiums) are satisfied. Because it isn't tied to a set term, some people consider it for longer-term or lifelong concerns.
Permanent coverage typically costs more than term insurance. It is not automatically 'better' than term; the two are designed to do different things. The right choice depends on your needs, budget, and goals, which is something we can talk through together.
Ask a QuestionTerm vs. Permanent
A simple side-by-side comparison. This is general information, not a recommendation. The right fit depends on you.
Term Life Insurance
- Covers you for a specified term (for example, 10, 20, or 30 years).
- Generally tends to cost less during the term than permanent coverage.
- Often considered for needs that may ease over time, like a mortgage or young children.
- Needs may change when the term ends. It's worth reviewing your coverage well before then.
Permanent Life Insurance
- Designed to last your lifetime when the policy's conditions are satisfied.
- Typically costs more than term coverage.
- Some people consider it for longer-term, lifelong concerns.
- Not automatically 'better' than term. It depends on your situation.
How much life insurance do I need?
There's no single right number. The right amount of coverage depends on your individual situation, including things such as:
I don't give individualized recommendations without understanding your situation first. That conversation is exactly where we'd start.
Book a CallInsurance through work
Workplace (group) life insurance can be genuinely valuable, and it's often a great starting point. But it can differ from personal insurance you own yourself. It's worth understanding:
- The coverage amount: is it enough for your situation?
- Portability: does the coverage move with you if you change jobs?
- Employment dependency: what happens if you leave the role?
- Policy terms: what's included, and what isn't?
Understanding these points helps you see where workplace coverage helps, and where personal coverage might fill a gap.
Beneficiaries
A beneficiary is the person (or people) you name to receive the benefit from your life insurance policy. Choosing beneficiaries is an important part of setting up a policy, and it's worth reviewing your choices as your life changes, for example, after marriage, divorce, or having children.
How beneficiaries are named can affect how the benefit is handled, so it's worth asking questions and, where appropriate, consulting your own legal or tax professional.
Underwriting
Underwriting is the process an insurer uses to decide whether to offer coverage and on what terms. Insurers may consider factors such as:
Underwriting differs between insurers and products. Two companies may view the same situation differently.
Life insurance costs
Premiums can vary widely depending on multiple factors: the type and amount of coverage, your age and health, your lifestyle, the insurer, and more. I won't invent pricing here, because an honest answer depends on real details about you and the product you're considering.
When we talk, I can help you understand what drives cost so you can think about it clearly, with no surprises and no pressure.
The application process
A high-level view of how things typically unfold. Approval is never guaranteed, and the insurer always makes the final decisión.
Conversation & needs discussion
We talk through your life, priorities, and questions. No pressure.
Exploring options
I explain the relevant options in plain language, so you can compare.
Application
If you choose to move forward, we complete the insurer's application together.
Underwriting
The insurer reviews the application, which may include health and lifestyle questions.
Insurance company decisión
The insurer decides whether to offer coverage, and on what terms.
Policy delivery (where approved)
If approved, your policy is issued. Approval is never guaranteed.
Life insurance in your province
I serve clients across British Columbia and Ontario. Each province has its own page with helpful context.
Go deeper on each topic
If you want to understand a particular topic, these articles explain it in plain language, without pressure and without unnecessary jargon.
Not sure how this applies to you? Ask me.
That's exactly the kind of question I like. We can walk through it together, in plain language, with no obligation.
No pressure, no sales script. Just a real conversation.