Sun Life Health Insurance Review 2026
Is Sun Life health insurance good?
Boasting over 150 years in operation, Sun Life is one of Canada’s go-to health insurance providers. It employs almost 2,700 advisors across the country selling a mix of health insurance, critical illness insurance, disability insurance, and long-term care insurance.
Sun Life’s specialty is underwritten health insurance, meaning you may have to answer a few questions and undergo a medical exam to apply. Is it worth it? Here’s what we found out about Sun Life when we ranked the best health insurance in Canada:
Sun Life is one of the few choices in Canada for high-drug health insurance, and its mid and premium plans are stellar on paper. However, we think there are better options for Canadians seeking a basic plan or something to replace their group benefits.
How much does Sun Life health insurance cost?
Sun Life generally offers affordable health insurance, with all plans costing an average of 2% less than the industry average. Basic plans like Health Insurance Basic and Health and Dental Choice A offer the lowest health insurance rates, with coverage starting at $22/month for children:
The table displays the approximate average monthly costs of applicants living in Canada. “Children” refers to newborn infants and “Seniors” to 60-year-old adults. “Adults” refers to the age group with the starting age closest to 18, and “Older adults” refers to the age group immediately following “Adults.” Although we strive to ensure accuracy, PolicyMe cannot guarantee the validity of third-party data.
Personal Health Insurance
Sun Life’s Personal Health Insurance series is underwritten, which means you may have to answer some questions or undergo a medical exam to get covered. On the plus side, you can get a quote and apply online, and there’s a dental add-on.
Here’s a quick look at all three plans so you can decide if it’s worth the fuss:
* Premiums reflect the approximate monthly cost for an 18-year-old adult living in Canada.
** Comparison reflects the total amount of prescription drug, dental, vision, paramedical, mental health, accidental dental, and ambulance coverage versus the industry average for comparable plans.
Basic Plan
How coverage is compared
All coverage comparisons reflect the total amount of prescription drug, dental, vision, paramedical, mental health, accidental dental, and ambulance coverage versus the industry average for comparable plans.
As with most basic plans, Sun Life's Personal Health Insurance Basic Plan demands a few sacrifices in exchange for low premiums. It doesn't include restorative dental (which is only included in the Enhanced Plan) and it has a $25 per-visit limit on paramedical services.
Pros
- 10-day free-look period
- 1 optional add-on available
Cons
- 3-month dental waiting period
- No vision coverage
- No restorative dental coverage
- 60% of generic prescription drugs (up to $750 per year)
- Up to 60% of preventative dental services (up to $500 per year)
- 60% of visits to 9 paramedical professionals (up to $25 per visit and $250 per profession)
- 60% of visits to mental health professionals (up to $35 per visit and $500 combined per year)
- 60% of accidental dental services (up to $2,000 per injury)
- 60% of ground and air ambulance transportation (unlimited)
Standard Plan by Sun Life
How coverage is compared
All coverage comparisons reflect the total amount of prescription drug, dental, vision, paramedical, mental health, accidental dental, and ambulance coverage versus the industry average for comparable plans.
Because it's underwritten, your premiums for Sun Life's Personal Health Insurance Standard Plan (with Preventive Dental) may depend on how you answer the medical questionnaire. Young applicants without pre-existing medical conditions or prescriptions receive the best rates, giving them long-term financial protection against an expensive diagnosis. We just wish the add-on included restorative dental care.
Pros
- 10-day free-look period
- 2 optional add-ons available
- Includes travel insurance
Cons
- 3-month dental waiting period
- No restorative or major dental care
- 70% of generic and smoking cessation prescription drugs (up to $100,000 per year)
- Up to 70% of preventative dental services (up to $750 per year)
- 100% of vision services every 2 years (up to $250 for prescription lenses, frames, and laser surgery, including a $50 limit for eye exams)
- 100% of visits to 9 paramedical professionals (up to $0 per visit and $300 per profession)
- 100% of visits to mental health professionals (up to $1,000 combined per year)
- 100% of accidental dental services (up to $2,000 per injury)
- 100% of ground and air ambulance transportation (unlimited)
Enhanced Plan
How coverage is compared
All coverage comparisons reflect the total amount of prescription drug, dental, vision, paramedical, mental health, accidental dental, and ambulance coverage versus the industry average for comparable plans.
The fully-loaded Personal Health Insurance Enhanced Plan (with Preventive, Restorative, and Orthodontic Dental) is a premium-tier plan with incredibly high drug coverage. Because it's underwritten, your premiums may depend on a medical questionnaire, and any pre-existing conditions or prescriptions could raise your rates uncomfortably high. This wouldn't be as much of a problem if the Enhanced Plan didn't have so many waiting periods.
Pros
- 10-day free-look period
- 3 optional add-ons available
- Above-average mental health coverage
- Includes travel insurance
Cons
- 3-month preventive dental waiting period
- 2-year orthodontic dental waiting period
- 1-year restorative dental and vision waiting period
- 80% of generic, birth control, and smoking cessation prescription drugs (up to $250,000 per year)
- Up to 80% of preventative, restorative, major, and orthodontic dental services (up to $750 per year)
- 100% of vision services every 2 years (up to $300 for prescription lenses, frames, and laser surgery, including a $50 limit for eye exams)
- 100% of visits to 9 paramedical professionals (up to $0 per visit and $400 per profession)
- 100% of visits to mental health professionals (up to $1,500 combined per year)
- 100% of accidental dental services (up to $2,000 per injury)
- 100% of ground and air ambulance transportation (unlimited)
Health Coverage Choice ★★★★☆ (4.0)
Health Coverage Choice by Sun Life is a series of replacement health insurance plans for Canadians between 18-74. There’s no medical exam required, no deductibles, and you can get a quote and apply online–the only caveat is you must apply within 60 days of the end of your group health benefits.
* Premiums reflect the approximate monthly cost for an 18-year-old adult living in Canada.
** Comparison reflects the total amount of prescription drug, dental, vision, paramedical, mental health, accidental dental, and ambulance coverage versus the industry average for comparable plans.
Health and Dental Choice A
How coverage is compared
All coverage comparisons reflect the total amount of prescription drug, dental, vision, paramedical, mental health, accidental dental, and ambulance coverage versus the industry average for comparable plans.
Health and Dental Choice A by Sun Life offers unusually low premiums and coverage, even for basic health insurance. Its paramedical coverage is especially disappointing, awarding just $25 per visit for 10 visits per practitioner, and it doesn't include restorative dental. It can be a cost-effective choice if you treat it less like a comprehensive source of health coverage and more like a discount card.
Pros
- 10-day free-look period
- Above-average dental and paramedical coverage
- Below-average premiums for adults and seniors in most regions
- Includes semi-private hospital accommodations
Cons
- Above-average premiums for children in most regions
- Below-average prescription drug, vision, mental health, and accidental dental coverage
- No restorative dental coverage
- 80% of generic, brand-name, and diabetic prescription drugs (up to $500 per year)
- Up to 80% of preventative dental services (up to $700 per year)
- 100% of vision services every 2 years (up to $150 for prescription lenses, frames, and laser surgery, including a $50 limit for eye exams)
- 80% of visits to 8 paramedical professionals (up to $25 per visit and $250 per profession)
- 80% of visits to mental health professionals (up to $60 per visit and $300 combined per year)
- 80% of accidental dental services (up to $2,000 per injury)
- 80% of ground and air ambulance transportation (unlimited)
Health and Dental Choice B
How coverage is compared
All coverage comparisons reflect the total amount of prescription drug, dental, vision, paramedical, mental health, accidental dental, and ambulance coverage versus the industry average for comparable plans.
For a mid-tier replacement health insurance plan, Sun Life's Health Choice B (with Dental) plan has unusually strict dental benefits. The one-year waiting period is unusually long, coverage is below-average, and it doesn't include major services.
Note, too, that air ambulance coverage only applies in your home province, where it's subsidized for $0-$900 per trip. If you get into a ski accident while vacationing in Whistler, you'll have to pay out-of-pocket for thousands of dollars of emergency transportation.
Pros
- 10-day free-look period
- 1 optional add-on available
- Below-average premiums for children
- Below-average premiums for all ages in Quebec
- Includes semi-private hospital accommodations and travel insurance
Cons
- 1-year restorative and major dental waiting period
- Below-average dental and mental health coverage
- No air ambulance coverage
- 80% of generic, brand-name, diabetic, and smoking cessation prescription drugs (up to $1,300 per year)
- Up to 80% of preventative, restorative, and major dental services (up to $700 per year)
- 100% of vision services every 2 years (up to $200 for prescription lenses, frames, and laser surgery, including a $50 limit for eye exams)
- 100% of visits to 8 paramedical professionals (up to $0 per visit and $300 per profession)
- 100% of visits to mental health professionals (up to $70 per visit and 7 visits combined per year)
- 100% of accidental dental services (up to $5,000 per lifetime)
- 100% of ground ambulance transportation (unlimited)
Health and Dental Choice C
How coverage is compared
All coverage comparisons reflect the total amount of prescription drug, dental, vision, paramedical, mental health, accidental dental, and ambulance coverage versus the industry average for comparable plans.
Replacement health insurance plans generally offer more value than their non-replacement counterparts, with the exception of Sun Life's Health Choice C (with Dental). Its coverage is too low, its premiums are too high, and there are cheaper and more comprehensive alternatives.
That being said, we love its 100% paramedical and mental health reimbursement rate.
Pros
- 10-day free-look period
- 1 optional add-on available
- Includes semi-private hospital accommodations and travel insurance
Cons
- 1-year waiting period for restorative and major dental coverage
- Above-average premiums for adults and seniors in most regions
- Below-average dental, vision, accidental dental, and ambulance coverage
- 80% of generic, brand-name, diabetic, and smoking cessation prescription drugs (up to $2,600 per year)
- Up to 80% of preventative, restorative, and major dental services (up to $750 per year)
- 100% of vision services every 2 years (up to $300 for prescription lenses, frames, and laser surgery, including a $50 limit for eye exams)
- 100% of visits to 8 paramedical professionals (up to $0 per visit and $300 per profession)
- 100% of visits to mental health professionals (up to $75 per visit and 7 visits combined per year)
- 100% of accidental dental services (up to $5,000 per lifetime)
- 100% of ground ambulance transportation (unlimited) and 100% of air ambulance transportation (up to $5,000 per year)
How does Sun Life health insurance compare to other providers?
It can be hard to compare some Sun Life health insurance plans to other products since they’re in a category of their own. For example, there are no other mid-tier, high-drug underwritten health insurance plans in our study that compare with Sun Life’s Personal Health Insurance Standard Plan (with Preventive Dental).
However, there are three choices facing customers seeking a premium, high-drug underwritten plan: Sun Life’s Personal Health Insurance Enhanced, Canada Life’s Freedom to Choose Select Elite, and GreenShield’s ZONE 7 (Ultimate) plan.
The best fit for you depends on your preferences–are you looking to cover existing prescriptions and visits to paramedical and mental health professionals? Take Sun Life. Need lots of dental work? Try Canada Life or GreenShield.
* Premiums reflect the approximate monthly cost for an 18-21-year-old adult living in Canada.
Does Sun Life have critical illness insurance?
Sun Life’s critical illness insurance provides applicants with financial protection from the cost of a life-altering illness. It’s ideal for individuals who want to keep their independence, families seeking financial security, and business owners who want to keep their livelihoods afloat.
Sun Life sells two plans: a low-coverage, low-cost, simplified plan called Express Critical Illness Insurance, and a more comprehensive policy called Sun Life Critical Illness Insurance. The rest of their differences are summarized below:
* Premiums reflect the cost of an Express Critical Illness Insurance policy with $25,000 (Basic and Enhanced) or $50,000 (Comfort) in coverage for an 18-year-old non-smoking female living in Ontario.
Does Sun Life have disability insurance?
Sun Life sells short and long-term disability insurance to businesses large and small, as well as individual Canadians. To apply for an individual plan, you’ll need to contact a Sun Life advisor.
Sun Life disability insurance covers a range of illnesses and injuries that can affect your livelihood, including:
- Autoimmune disorders
- Chronic illnesses
- Mental health conditions
- Musculoskeletal conditions
- Neurological conditions
- Physical injuries
- Respiratory diseases
- Severe vision or hearing loss
Your premiums and the amount of coverage you can purchase depend on your age and occupation, which you can discuss with an advisor once you connect.
Does Sun Life have long-term care insurance?
Sun Life’s long-term care insurance can help cover the cost of specialized care and living assistance in your senior years. Benefits begin at age 65, range from $125 to $2,300/week, and can be applied to nursing costs, personal care, home-making services, and more–as long as your health meets three conditions:
- You must require constant supervision by another person because of deteriorated mental ability.
- You must require substantial physical assistance with at least 2 activities of daily living.
- You must require stand-by assistance to perform the daily activity of bathing and transferring.
Sun Retirement Health Assist is available to Canadians between 45-71 and includes your choice of a 1-year or 2-year waiting plan. Complimentary benefits include an automatic preturn of premium rider, inflation protection, LifestageCare services, and waiver of premium during the benefit period.
Sun Life’s Sun Retirement Health Assist insurance only kicks in if you suffer a mental decline. Make sure you have a trusted person to apply for coverage, advocate, and liaise with Sun Life on your behalf, and don’t forget to provide them with your policy details.
Is Sun Life health insurance worth it?
Sun Life is an established name in the Canadian insurance market and offers a wide selection of products. Its basic plans have competitive pricing, and it’s one of the few providers to offer long-term care insurance or high-value health insurance with over $200,000 in prescription drug coverage. We also love the 100% reimbursement rate on paramedical and mental health services featured on its premium plans!
That being said, Sun Life’s replacement health insurance plans aren’t very competitive, and we wish it had some guaranteed options. Canadians may find it tedious to apply for underwritten coverage and undergo a medical exam, only to end up with substandard coverage (especially on basic plans) and lengthy waiting periods.
FAQ: Sun Life health insurance
Jasmine specializes in converting complex insurance data into actionable guidance. Her background includes auto, life, and health insurance and financial planning. Lately, she’s leveraging AI to extract insights from the numbers and help Canadians make better decisions.
Jasmine specializes in converting complex insurance data into actionable guidance. Her background includes auto, life, and health insurance and financial planning. Lately, she’s leveraging AI to extract insights from the numbers and help Canadians make better decisions.
Prices listed on this page are based on information available as of January 2026. The prices shown are for general reference only and may vary based on factors like your age, location, and product selection.