Foresters Financial Life Insurance Review (2026)

Written by: Bonnie Stinson
Insurance Writer
Updated
July 8, 2026

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Key Takeaways
  • Foresters offers life insurance benefits through Canada Protection Plan, making it easier for Canadians with health conditions to qualify for coverage
  • Smokers can get non-smoker life insurance rates in the first two years and keep that rate if they prove they have quit smoking.
  • Foresters is known for its unique membership program that helps families give back to their communities.

Foresters Financial life insurance review (2026 update)

Foresters Financial is a Toronto-based life insurance company with more than 150 years of history, founded in 1874. In 2020, it merged with the Canada Protection Plan (CPP) and expanded its reach in the no-medical and simplified life insurance markets. We’ve reviewed Foresters’ Canada Protection Plan life insurance plans separately.

Foresters is a fraternal benefit society, which means it reinvests its profits into member benefits and community programs for policyholders rather than paying shareholders.Β 

Foresters Financial life insurance: Our verdict β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜† (4.0/5)

Product
Rating
Average premiums*
Cost comparison
Term life insurance
β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜† (4.0)
$38/month
6% below industry average

* This figure reflects the typical costs for a non-smoking woman between the ages of 30-44 across a term length of 10-30 years for $600,000 in fully underwritten coverage

Foresters Financial offers term life insurance along with multiple whole life insurance plans.Β 

Their sustainability efforts and charity benefits provision make this life insurance company a great choice for those seeking unique participating perks that can potentially lead to cash value growth. However, it’s important to note that Foresters’ premiums are generally higher than those of many competitorsβ€”especially for non-medical or participating policies.
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Foresters Life is best for...

Canadians in search of a mutual life insurance company with participating perks.

Methodology

PolicyMe’s rankings are based on an independent, data-driven review of Canada’s best life insurance policies and providers.Β 

Our analysis combines 450,000+ quotes for 50+ life insurance plans with in-depth research on 20+ providers. We assigned each policy a star rating out of five based on a mix of average pricing, Google Review scores, and shopping convenience, then ranked the results in 12 categories.

Rankings are determined first by star rating and then by price, with preference given to expert recommendations by PolicyMe’s team of life insurance advisors. Our findings are entirely data-driven and do not include paid placements, but should not be considered a substitute for personalized financial advice.

PolicyMe, Canada’s top-rated term life insurance

Foresters Financial life insurance: pros & cons

Before choosing a life insurance policy, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons. Here’s a rundown of where Foresters shines and where it leaves a little to be desired.

Pros

  • No medical/simplified issue coverage. Foresters offers simplified issue and non-medical life insurance, including options for people with Type 2 diabetes.
  • Member perks. Policyholders with Foresters receive access to benefits like scholarships, discounted legal and wellness services, and volunteer opportunities.
  • Quit Smoking Incentive Plan. Smokers may qualify for non-smoker rates for the first two years of specific whole life policies if they quit smoking..
  • Joint/spousal policy options. Foresters offers joint life insurance policies, as well as spousal riders.
  • Charitable giving. When you pass away, 1 per cent of your death benefit can be donated to the eligible charity of your choice (up to $100,000).
  • Convertible options. You can typically convert your term life insurance policy to a whole life policy up to age 71.
  • Competitive pricing for seniors. Whole life plans for individuals over 50 are generally competitive, though rates vary based on health and coverage requirements.

Cons

  • Phone call may be required to quote and purchase
  • Maximum issue age for term life insurance is limited to 65, which may not suit older applicants seeking new coverage

Foresters Financial life insurance cost and value

For non-smoking applicants in good health, Foresters Financial’s term life insurance policies are priced near the industry average, with seniors aged 60 and over receiving the most competitive rates.

Age group
Sex at birth
Average monthly premiums*
Cost comparison**
Youths (18-29)
Female
$23
2% below industry average
Youths (18-29)
Male
$33
3% below industry average
Adults (30-44)
Female
$38
6% below industry average
Adults (30-44)
Male
$52
4% below industry average
Adults (45-59)
Female
$143
1% above industry average
Adults (45-59)
Male
$199
Industry average
Seniors (60+)
Female
$208.75
9% below industry average
Seniors (60+)
Male
$292.71
7% below industry average

* These figures reflect the average monthly cost for $600,000 of fully underwritten coverage for healthy, non-smoking individuals across a term length of 10-30 years.Β 

** Compared to the average monthly costs for $600,000 of coverage for healthy, non-smoking individuals across a term length of 10-30 years and 26 term life insurance products.

In most age groups, smokers with Foresters Financial life insurance pay 2–9% below the industry average, making Foresters an excellent option for smoking applicants seeking competitive rates.

Age group
Sex at birth
Average monthly premiums*
Cost comparison**
Youths (18–29)
Female
$41
1% below industry average
Youths (18–29)
Male
$63
2% below industry average
Adults (30–44)
Female
$92
4% below industry average
Adults (30–44)
Male
$132
4% below industry average
Adults (45–59)
Female
$301
1% below industry average
Adults (45–59)
Male
$491
1% below industry average
Seniors (60+)
Female
$413.33
9% below industry average
Seniors (60+)
Male
$697.29
9% below industry average

* These figures reflect the average monthly cost for healthy, smoking individuals across a term length of 10-30 years.

** Compared to the average monthly costs for $600,000 of coverage for non-smoking individuals across a term length of 10-30 years and 26 term life insurance products.

About pricing comparisons

To ensure fairness and accuracy, all pricing comparisons were made within identical product types and demographic segments. For instance, a 10-year term policy for non-smoking women aged 30-44 with $600,000 in coverage was compared to the average pricing for all other 10-year term policies meeting the same criteria.

Compare Foresters Life to top Canadian life insurance companies.

Foresters Financial life insurance reviews and customer service

Foresters Life Insurance falls short of our Great Customer Service badge with a Google Reviews rating of 3.1 stars and a Better Business Bureau grade of A+. While some customers praise the wide range of policy options and perks like the Foresters Go wellness app, others mention difficulty with policy management and reaching a financial advisor, especially for those in the west.

Foresters Financial life insurance plans at a glance

Foresters Financial offers term life insurance and whole life insurance, as well as critical illness coverage.

Product
Coverage amount
Term length
Eligibility
Key features
Term Life Insurance – Your Life
$50,000 to $5 million
10 to 30 years; term 10 and 20 automatically renewable, term 30 renewable in 5-year increments
Ages 18 to 80
  • Level premiums for the term
  • Renewable and convertible
Advantage Plus II Whole Life Insurance
Starting at $25,000
Lifetime coverage; pay 20 years or pay to 100
Ages 0 to 85 (under 18 eligible for future insurability benefit)
  • Guaranteed death benefit
  • Participating policy with potential dividends
  • Cash value growth
  • Charity Benefit up to $100,000
  • Children’s insurance benefit
Critical Illness Insurance – Live Well
$25,000 to $100,000 (Live Well) or $25,000 to $2 million (Live Well Plus)
10 years, 20 years, or to age 80
18 to 65 (varies by policy), juvenile rider available
  • Non-life-threatening illness benefit
  • Return of premium on death benefit
  • Optional insurance riders available
  • Childhood illness coverage

Foresters life insurance riders

Foresters.com lists the following term riders for Foresters’ life insurance policies:Β 

  • Term 10, Term 20, and Term 30: Allows policyholders to combine multiple life insurance terms to meet changing insurance needs.Β 
  • Children’s term insurance rider: Provides term life insurance coverage for insureds’ children between the ages of 15 days and 25 years for a 20-year term
  • Accidental death benefit: Offers an additional death benefit of up to $300,000 if the insured dies solely as a result of an accidentΒ 
  • Waiver of premium benefit: Allows insured to maintain their coverage amount if they become disabled and unable to work

Read more: Term vs. whole life insurance

How Foresters Financial compares to other insurers

When you’re choosing a provider, it’s important to compare coverage options, benefits, and get life insurance quotes from at least three different insurance companies. We’ve done some of the legwork for you, breaking down how Foresters compares to three of the best insurers in Canada.

PolicyMe
Foresters Life Insurance
Sun Life
Top-rated plans
Term life insurance
Term life insurance
Evolve Term Life Insurance
Rating
β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜… (5.0)
β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜†β˜† (3.0)
β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜† (3.5)
Average premiums*
$37/month
$38/month
$41/month
Cost comparison
6% below industry average
6% below industry average
10% above industry average
Term options
10–30 years
10–30 years
10–40 years
Coverage options
$100,000 – $5,000,000
$50,000 – $5,000,000
$50,000 – $25,000,000
Renewable
Convertible
Great Customer Service
Quote Online
Buy Online

* These figures reflect the average monthly cost for $600,000 of coverage for healthy, non-smoking individuals across a term length of 10-30 years

Get affordable, top-rated term life insurance in Canada in minutes

Foresters Financial life insurance vs. PolicyMe life insurance

Foresters Financial and PolicyMe both have a strong presence in the Canadian insurance market. Let’s take a look at how they compare.

Cost

Foresters Financial provides term life, whole life, and simplified issue products with coverage available up to millions. Its products, even those offered under Canada Protection Plan, tend to be much more expensive than fully underwritten term policies.

PolicyMe leverages its fully digital model to reduce overhead costs, resulting in lower premiums for Canadians seeking term life insurance. PolicyMe is one of the most affordable options in Canada.

Customer satisfaction

Foresters Financial distributes its policies through advisors and brokers, with CPP offering online applications for simplified issue policies. The reviews are mixed, with many policyholders noting slower processing compared to other insurers.

PolicyMe was built around speed and simplicity. You can get a quote almost instantly, and then complete the fully online application process in about 20 minutes to finalize your policy. Of course, if you need to speak to an agent, you’ll find customer support available to help.

Convenience

PolicyMe was built around speed and simplicity. You can get a quote almost instantly, and then complete the fully online application process in about 20 minutes to finalize your policy. Of course, if you need to speak to an agent, you’ll find customer support available to help.Β 

By contrast, Foresters doesn’t give customers the option to receive life insurance quotes or buy a policy online β€” everything has to go through an agent.

See how affordable term life insurance can be with PolicyMe

The bottom line: Who should consider Foresters Financial?

Foresters Financial has established a strong presence in Canada with its simplified issue and no-medical life insurance offerings. Beyond financial protection, Foresters stands out thanks to unique membership benefits like scholarships and community grants. It’s a decent option for individuals who prefer a traditional approach to life insurance and value the personalized service you receive from connecting with an advisor.

For healthy applicants seeking the lowest premiums on term life, however, a digital-first insurer like PolicyMe may be more affordable.

FAQ: Foresters Financial life insurance review

*** The life insurance premium rates in this article are based on publicly available figures as of July 2026.

Bonnie Stinson is an insurance writer and researcher in Toronto with a decade of experience producing helpful, accurate content for Canadians. They have published resources for some of Canada's most innovative and consumer-trusted companies in the health, legal, and fintech sectors.Β 

Bonnie Stinson is an insurance writer and researcher in Toronto with a decade of experience producing helpful, accurate content for Canadians. They have published resources for some of Canada's most innovative and consumer-trusted companies in the health, legal, and fintech sectors.Β 

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Fully Covered Conditions

Fully Covered Conditions are critical illnesses for which, once all applicable criteria and waiting periods are met, the full Critical Illness Benefit is paid. The benefit is paid as one lump-sum amount equal to the total coverage amount shown in the policy.

Partially Covered Conditions

Partially Covered Conditions, also referred to in the policy as Covered Early Conditions, provide an Early Condition Benefit rather than the full Critical Illness Benefit.

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