Life Insurance Payout in Canada: How Does it Work?

What is a life insurance payout in Canada?

A life insurance payout is a tax-free lump sum paid to your beneficiaries if you pass away while your life insurance policy is active. This payout is also called a death benefit.

The death benefit is intended to offer financial support to the policyholder’s loved ones, relieving the financial burden caused by their death.

Your beneficiary (or beneficiaries) can use the life insurance to cover whatever they see fit. This might include:

• Paying for final expenses
• Making mortgage payments
• Paying off other debts
• Childcare costs
• Post-secondary education for your kids
• Other day-to-day expenses

Term life insurance is one of the best life insurance options available to Canadians, providing comprehensive life insurance coverage for low monthly premium payments. 

How does a life insurance payout work in Canada?

In Canada, the life insurance payout process is fairly straightforward. If the policyholder has a term insurance policy and dies while it is active, the beneficiaries are almost guaranteed to receive the death benefit. Here’s how it works:

1. The policyholder passes away

To qualify for a life insurance payout, the policyholder must die while the policy is active. The cause of death must also be covered by the policy terms. Some life insurance policies have exclusions, such as suicide (typically within the first two years) or risky hobbies like skydiving or SCUBA diving.

2. The beneficiaries file a claim

Before notifying the insurance company of the policyholder’s death, have the policy information and a death certificate on hand. If the policyholder advised the beneficiaries of the policy details in advance, the claims process should be fairly simple.

In some cases, the insurance company may require other documentation, like a coroner's report, medical records, or police reports.

If you know there’s a life insurance policy in effect but don’t have the policy details, there are a few things you can try:

3. The life insurance company reviews the claim

Once you submit the required documents, the insurer will review the life insurance claim to verify the policy details and cause of death.

In some cases, the insurance company may require further information—this is especially true if the policy was recently issued. They’ll reach out to you for additional documents or if they need to begin an investigation.

4. The insurer issues the life insurance payout

In most cases, it takes two weeks to 60 days for the insurance company to pay the death benefit. This is just a general guideline and can vary depending on the insurer, policy, and circumstances of the claim.

Beneficiaries typically receive the tax-free payout in a lump sum via cheque or bank deposit.

4 factors that affect life insurance payouts in Canada

In the vast majority of cases, life insurance policies pay out without any issues. However, there are a few exceptions that can affect how smoothly the claim is processed, how quickly the payout is received, or whether the benefit is paid out at all.

1. Policy type and coverage amount

The type of life insurance plan plays a major role in the claims process and terms of the payout. 

Term life insurance is one of the most straightforward policy types. There are no hidden terms, cancellation fees, or other risks hidden in the fine print. If the policyholder dies during the term, the beneficiaries receive a tax-free, lump sum payment to do with as they please (as long as they have not violated policy exclusions, like insurance fraud).

On the other hand, a specific coverage like mortgage insurance requires the payout go directly to the mortgage lender, not the policyholder’s loved ones.

Learn more: Types of life insurance in Canada

2. Policy exclusions

Most life insurance policies contain exclusions—situations in which the policy may not pay out. Common exclusions include:

• Suicide within the first two years
• Death during illegal activity
• High-risk recreational activities, like skydiving (unless you have a high-risk policy)

Mental health resources

If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, help is available. Contact Talk Suicide Canada at 988 or text 45645 for free, confidential support, 24/7. You are not alone.

3. Contestability period

Life insurance policies commonly include a contestability period for the first two years of the policy. If a claim is made during this period, the insurer has the right to investigate the accuracy of the information provided during the application process. This helps identify (and deter) fraudulent claims.

4. Accuracy of personal information

Misrepresenting yourself or your health status during the life insurance application process can result in a life insurance claim being denied. Examples include failing to disclose a history of heart disease, concealing lifestyle habits like smoking or drug use, and not reporting high-risk activities like skydiving or a hazardous job.

How to ensure a smooth claims process

Submitting a life insurance claim after losing a loved one can be highly emotional—and when there are questions or complications, it can make for a frustrating claims process.

Here are some things that policyholders can do to make the process as easy as possible for their beneficiaries:

1. Keep the policy up to date 

Regularly review and update your life insurance policy to make sure it reflects your current circumstances. Let your insurance provider know about changes promptly, such as new contact information or a change in beneficiaries.

2. Be honest during the application process

Make sure you disclose all relevant information to your insurance company. Failure to do so could void the policy and lead to a denied claim.

3. Share policy details with your beneficiaries

Let each beneficiary know where the policy is located and provide the policy number and contact information for the insurance company. This transparency will help them navigate the claims process with ease during a difficult time.

Why your life insurance policy might not pay out

Here’s the truth: it’s unlikely that life insurance in Canada won’t pay out. That said, there are some situations where a life insurance claim may be denied.

Main reasons life insurance claims are denied in Canada

• Inaccurate information on the application: Intentional misrepresentation on your life insurance application (like lying about your age or a medical condition) can result in the policy not paying out to your beneficiaries.
• Policy lapse due to missed payment: Paying your life insurance premiums keeps your policy active. The insurer can deny your claim if the policy becomes inactive due to missed payments.
• The insured passes away during the contestability period: The insurer might re-evaluate your claim if the policyholder passes away during the contestability period. It doesn’t automatically mean the claim is denied, but it can delay the payout while they investigate.
• Death by suicide in the first two years: Most insurers will not pay out the claim if the policyholder passes away by suicide within two years of activating the policy.
• Beneficiary information wasn’t updated: If you haven’t named a beneficiary, the payout will likely go to pay your estate first. If there is any money remaining, it may be distributed among family members.
• Cause of death is excluded: Your agreement may exclude specific causes of death, such as death by homicide, death while doing illegal activities, or war-related deaths.
• Beneficiaries don’t know the policy exists: If the beneficiary isn’t aware that they’ve been named on a policy, they will not know to contact the insurer. In these cases, the policy could expire due to nonpayment.

Be sure to read your policy carefully to see what other clauses may apply.

Learn more: Common reasons life insurance won’t pay out

Types of life insurance payouts

Life insurance companies typically pay out the death benefit in a lump sum, but some insurers offer other payment options. Let’s look at the three most common types: lump sum payments, specific income, and annuity payments.

Lump sum payments

This death benefit is paid out all at once in a tax-free lump sum. It’s the most common type of death benefit payment and may be the only one that your insurance company offers. It offers the greatest flexibility in terms of access to funds and estate planning. 

Specific income

This option lets you receive the death benefit in installments over a set period of your choosing, providing a steady stream of income instead of a single lump sum. 

For example: If the policy coverage amount was $500,000, you could choose to receive $50,000 a year for 10 years.

Annuity payments

Annuity payments are similar to specific income payout. The death benefit will be paid over a set amount of time—but the unpaid amount will grow at a fixed interest rate determined by the insurance company.

FAQ: Life insurance Beneficiary Rules & Payouts