The RBC Insurance term life insurance is a simple and affordable way to help provide financial security for your loved ones.
Questions and Answers about Term Life Insurance
Don't see your question? Call 1-866-223-7113 to talk with a licensed RBC Insurance® advisor.
Applying for Coverage
How do I apply for coverage?
For coverage under $500,000:
To apply for RBC Simplified® Term Life Insurance:
*The online purchase option may not be available to all customers. Please get a quote first to see if you are eligible to buy online.
For coverage $500,000 and over:
To purchase amounts $500,000 and over, please contact us:
Can I cancel my policy at any time?
Yes, but you must request the cancellation in writing. When your policy is mailed to you, you have a certain number of days to review it—30 days for RBC Simplified Term Life Insurance and 10 days for our other term life insurance plan ($500,000 and over). If you want to cancel, we’ll refund all premiums paid. After the 10 or 30 days, you can cancel your insurance and you’ll only have to pay for the time you were covered.
Eligibility
Who can apply for coverage?
You may apply for term life insurance if you are:
- Between the ages of 18 and 70 (Term 10) or between the ages of 18 and 60 (Term 20), and
- A Canadian citizen or permanent resident/landed immigrant who has been in Canada for more than 12 months
What if I occasionally smoke?
If you smoke, you may still apply for coverage. You will qualify for non-smoker rates only if you have not used any form of tobacco products within the last 12 months. If you occasionally smoke or if you have quit smoking in the last 12 months, you are considered a smoker.
Once the policy is issued, you can apply for a change to non-smoker rates if you have gone a full 12-month period without using any form of tobacco products. Just contact us and apply for a switch to non-smoker rates. You will have to complete a medical questionnaire and we will send out a nurse to collect some medical evidence, most likely a urinalysis. Once our underwriters have approved your application and your eligibility is confirmed, you will be switched to non-smoker rates.
Coverage Details
What is term life insurance?
Term life insurance is a legal contract between you and RBC Life Insurance Company. In the event of your death, we will make a tax-free payment to your beneficiary or estate, usually referred to as a death benefit(3). (Note that probate fees are applicable if the death benefit is paid to your estate.)
All of our term life insurance plans provide protection that is guaranteed for 10 or 20 years. They are an affordable way to protect your family in the event of your death. These plans allow you to renew coverage for an additional 10- or 20-year term, at a higher premium, until you turn 80 years old.
The premium you pay goes towards life insurance coverage only. The policy does not build any cash value. However, our policies do allow you to convert your insurance to a permanent life insurance or universal life insurance plan at any time prior to the age of 71, with no health questions or medical exam(2).
What are the differences between RBC Simplified Term Life Insurance and the other term life insurance plan?
Here is a summary of the key differences:
| Under $500,000 |
$500,000 and over |
- Phone
- Insurance branch
- Online (in some cases)
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- Phone
- Insurance branch
- Insurance advisor
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- Total Disability Waiver of Premium
- Term 10 or Term 20 Rider
- Children's Term Rider
- Accidental Death Benefit Rider
- Payor Death and Disability Waiver of Premium Benefit Rider
- Learn more about the Optional Benefits.
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Compare the Term Life Insurance Plans
What’s the difference between term and permanent life insurance?
One of the differences between term and permanent life insurance is that term life insurance covers you for 10 or 20 years at a time, whereas permanent life insurance provides coverage for your lifetime. Term life insurance is also generally lower in cost when compared to permanent coverage.
What are the benefits of term life insurance?
All of our term life insurance plans offer these benefits:
- Affordable guaranteed rates—term life insurance is the lowest cost form of life insurance
- Automatic renewal to the age of 80
- Ability to convert to a permanent or universal life insurance plan prior to the age of 71, with no health questions or medical exam required(2)
How much life insurance do I need?
The answer to this question depends on several factors, including your salary, whether you have other life insurance, your financial obligations and resources, and more. A typical recommendation is to purchase life insurance in an amount 5-7 times your yearly salary. However, your specific needs could be less than or greater than this recommendation.
Try our needs calculator to estimate how much insurance might be right for you.
Estimate how much life insurance you may need
Is there any cash value with a term policy?
There is no cash value with a term policy. The premium you pay is for coverage only.
What is the conversion option?
The conversion option allows you to change or convert to another type of life insurance policy(2). For example, you may choose to convert a term policy to a permanent life insurance policy that covers you for life. If you do so, you will not need to complete a health questionnaire or medical exam.
What is an exchange option?
The exchange option allows the owner to exchange a Term 10 policy for a Term 20 policy without providing evidence of insurability. The exchange must occur by the earlier of the fifth policy anniversary and insurance age 60 of the life insured. The exchange option is only available on Term 10 policies $500,000 or above.
Can I change my beneficiary?
Yes, you can change your beneficiary by completing a change of beneficiary form. If you name a beneficiary and designate them as "irrevocable" then the beneficiary must also agree to the change.
When does my coverage start and end?
You are covered under the policy once you are approved and we receive the first premium. There should also be no change in your health during the review of your application. Please contact us or see a sample policy
for complete details.
If you are paying by monthly pre-authorized debit, we will automatically debit your account when you are approved for coverage. When you select to pay on an annual basis, we will send out an invoice for the annual premium. Once payment is received, coverage starts. If there is any change in your health during our review of your application, please notify our office immediately.
As premiums become due under the policy, we will give you 30 days after your premium due date to make your premium payment. If we do not receive your payment during this time, the insurance will terminate and your coverage ends.
Your coverage ends on the earlier of:
- The date of your death
- The date you request to cancel your life insurance in writing
- The date you stop paying your insurance premiums (you have a 30-day grace period after payment is due)
- The policy anniversary nearest your 80th birthday
Please contact us or see a sample policy
for complete details.
Can I reduce or increase my coverage?
Yes. You can apply to reduce or increase your coverage at any time. Your premiums will also be updated based on the new amount of insurance. Coverage increases will require medical evidence and are subject to approval.
Are there any exclusions?
Yes. During the first two years of coverage, if death is due to suicide, then no benefit is payable.
Also, if during the application process we are given incorrect or incomplete information, RBC Insurance has the right to deny the claim. This includes information regarding health, lifestyle or smoking habits.
Premiums
Could I qualify for preferred rates?
To qualify for preferred rates the amount of coverage you are applying for must be $500,000 or above. Preferred rates also depends on, your family history, your health and lifestyle factors, whether you participate in dangerous sports, and more.
Are the rates guaranteed?
Once you are approved, your policy will contain a premium schedule that will show all premiums payable, including the renewal premiums that would apply at the end of your term—either 10 or 20 years. These premiums are guaranteed and cannot be changed by RBC Insurance. As long as you continue to pay your premiums, your coverage will continue at these rates. Rates are subject to approval by RBC Insurance.
How long will I pay premiums?
You will pay premiums for either 10 or 20 years, depending on the term policy you have selected. After that, if you choose to renew your policy for another 10 or 20 years, you will continue to pay premiums for that term based on your renewal rates.
How do I pay for my policy?
You may pay for your policy on a monthly or annual basis.
- If you are paying by monthly pre-authorized debit, we will automatically debit your account when you are approved for coverage.
- If you select to pay on an annual basis, we will send out an invoice for the annual premium.
- If you buy RBC Simplified Term Life Insurance online, a credit card in the name of the policyholder will be required to purchase.
- As premiums become due under the policy, we will give you 30 days after your premium due date to make your premium payment. If we do not receive your payment during this time, the insurance will terminate and your coverage ends.
What happens to my premiums if I quit smoking after the policy is issued?
Once the policy is issued, you can apply for a change to non-smoker rates if you have gone a full 12-month period without using any form of tobacco products. Just contact us and apply for a switch to non-smoker rates. You will have to complete a medical questionnaire and we will send out a nurse to collect some medical evidence, most likely a urinalysis. Once our underwriters have approved your application and your eligibility is confirmed, you will be switched to non-smoker rates.
Claims
How does my beneficiary file a claim and collect the death benefit?
Our goal is to make the claims process as stress-free as possible. Your beneficiaries will need to call us at 1-877-519-9501. An RBC Insurance® representative will send them a claims form and guide them through the claims process.
Your beneficiaries will receive a lump sum tax-free(4) payment in the event of your death, once they have submitted the required paperwork and the claim has been approved.
1) You may apply for term life insurance if you are between the ages of 18 and 70 (Term 10) or between the ages of 18 and 60 (Term 20) and are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident/landed immigrant who has been in Canada for more than 12 months.
2) Subject to certain terms and conditions. Please contact us for complete details.
3) Subject to policy exclusions.
4) Note that probate fees are applicable if you have not designated a beneficiary and the proceeds of your policy become part of your estate.