Life insurance, also known as life assurance, is an agreement made between the policyholder and the insurer where the insurer agrees to pay a lump-sum of money in the event of the policyholder’s death. The payment is made to the insured’s beneficiary. The policyholder must pay a premium, according to the payment terms agreed upon with the insurer. The cost of life insurance depends on many factors, including the type of life insurance policy, the policyholder’s age, and health status, to name a few. Plans can start as low as $9 per month, but tend to increase the older you are at the time of the quote.
Life insurance in Ontario is grouped under two categories: temporary life insurance (known as term life insurance) and permanent life insurance (known as whole life insurance and universal life insurance).
Term life insurance is typically for people who require coverage for a specific period of time (young families for example), people with budget concerns, and business owners looking for coverage in the event of a loss of a key employee. Features of a term life insurance policy include:
This type of life insurance is typically considered by those people who are looking for financial protection for their families in the event of a premature death. It is also treated as an investment, with a portion of the premiums going into an investment account and creates a cash value of the policy. The common features of a whole life insurance policy in Ontario include:
With this type of life insurance in Ontario, you can obtain financial protection for your loved ones as well as accumulate cash value that is tax-sheltered. Universal life insurance is typically considered by families who are looking for financial security and accumulating additional funds, young couples who can afford to pay a higher premium quicker and people who have higher income levels looking for a tax-benefit. The main features of a universal life insurance policy in Ontario include:
According to Ward Funeral Home, the cost of the average funeral in Ontario is $5,600. Depending on what you’re looking for, these costs can jump to upwards of $15,000 for traditional two-day gatherings that include a visitation and a funeral. Then there are the costs of the burial, including purchasing a plot of land, opening and closing costs at the cemetery, and the monument or marker that will indicate your grave.
These costs add up. In Toronto’s Mount Pleasant Cemetery, casket burial ranges from $15,000 to $25,000, while a similar burial in neighbouring Oakville averages $3,000. Those costs are for the grave only, and do not include the monument.
While life insurance serves many purposes, it is the cost of a funeral that often inspires one to take out a policy. No one wants to leave their family with such a significant financial burden at a time of grief. Use our life insurance calculator to generate your quote today so you know what it costs to ensure your family and loved ones are financially protected in the event of your untimely passing.
Protect your children/dependants
The lump sum received (tax-free) in the event of a death, can provide financial protection to replace the deceased’s income to pay any debts, mortgage, education and day-to-day expenses.
Estate protection
The money may also be used to pay off any debts, tax liabilities and other estate costs to remove the burden from loved ones.
Withdrawals and loans
The cash value component of a permanent life insurance policy can be accessed during the term of your life insurance policy. You can leverage your policy to secure a loan or take the money earned from your investment.
The younger and healthier you are when you purchase life insurance, the less your premiums will cost throughout your term. If you haven't already, now is the perfect time to use InsuranceHotline.com to compare life insurance quotes and get the process to protection started.