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Canada Life Health Insurance Review 2025

By
PolicyMe Editorial Team
July 31, 2025
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Key takeaways:
  • Canada Life provides a variety of health insurance plans, as well as disability and critical illness coverage.
  • Downsides include slower claims processing and limited online tools for plan management.

Overview of Canada Life health insurance

Canada Life is one of the country's largest and oldest insurance providers, with a range of all-in-one health insurance plans under its Freedom to Choose banner. These plans provide customizable coverage for health, dental, disability, and critical illness, with options tailored for individuals, families, and those leaving group benefits. 

While the company holds a strong industry reputation and offers broad plan flexibility, customer experience reviews vary, with some policyholders reporting issues with claims and support. 

We evaluated nearly 20 Canadian insurers based on plan design, affordability, customer feedback, and financial stability. Here’s how Canada Life ranks in today’s health insurance landscape:

Category: All-in-one

Types of coverage: Health and dental, Critical illness, Disability

Customer experience score: 2.03/5

Industry reputation score: 4.05/5

Awards:

  • 35 Fundata FundGrade A+® Awards (2025)
  • Fundata FundGrade A+® Awards (2024)
  • LSEG Lipper Fund Awards Canada (2024)
  • Segregated Funds Top-Ranked (2023–2024)
  • Scotland Mortgage “Later-Life Lender of the Year” (2024)
  • Top Employer for Young People (Canada, 2025)

Key features of Canada Life’s health insurance plans

Canada Life’s Freedom to Choose plans are built to provide a mix of baseline coverage and premium options. Whether you’re self-employed, leaving group benefits, or just want more control over care for you or your loved ones, here’s what stands out: 

Feature
Description
Tiered plan structure
Choose from Select, Plus or Elite plans with increasing coverage amounts, or Guaranteed plan with no medical exam required
Online account management
Manage your plan, submit a claim, or explore additional coverage options through their online sign-in feature
No-medical options
Guaranteed plans do not require a medical exam and offer the most coverage, ideal if you’re transitioning from workplace coverage
Prescription drug reimbursement
All plans cover at least some of prescription drug costs, with coverage ranging from $500 to $250,000 annually depending on the plan tier
Paramedical and mental health services
Get reimbursed up to $500 per practitioner for services like physiotherapy, massage therapy, chiropractic care, and psychologist visits, but with a cap per visit
Virtual care and retail perks
All plans include access to Teladoc medical experts and 20% off Rexall retail items (with exclusions)
Private hospital accommodations
Some plans cover up to $250 per day for private hospital rooms, offering added comfort if you require hospitalization
Optional add-ons available
Customize your plan further with travel emergency coverage, major dental care, accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D), hospital cash, and more
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Learn more: What does health insurance cover?

Pros and cons of Canada Life’s health insurance

While Canada Life offers an impressive selection of comprehensive health insurance plans, there are a few drawbacks depending on your needs. Here’s what stands out: 

  • Various plan options for increasing levels of coverage
  • Coverage continues regardless of your age, offering long-term stability as you grow older
  • Flexible bundling and add-ons for benefits such as travel insurance, hospital cash, or AD&D coverage
  • Teladoc access to free virtual consultation with licensed doctors and medical experts
  • Strong financial reputation and long-standing insurance history
  • Does not offer online quotes for health insurance
  • Reviews mention delayed or denied claims, and difficulty using online tools for support
  • Customers report long wait times for customer service and inconsistent communication
  • Premiums can rise as you age or if your health changes
  • Basic plans may feel limited

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Types of Canada Life health insurance

Canada Life offers three types of insurance: personal health insurance, disability insurance, and critical illness insurance. 

Personal Health Insurance

Personal health insurance provides coverage for the most popular health services, including prescription drugs, dental work, vision care, and paramedical services. Canada Life’s Freedom to Choose and Freedom to Choose Guaranteed plans cover a total of six coverage levels, catering to different health needs, coverage preferences, and budgets.

Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of each plan type and what they include:

Freedom to Choose Plan
Best for
Prescription drugs
Dental coverage
Vision care
Paramedical services
Hospital & Other perks
Select
Those who don’t currently have coverage
70% up to $500 per year
70% up to $350 per year
$150 every 2 years + $75 for eye exam
$300/year per practitioner ($30/visit limit)
Teladoc access, Rexall 20% off
Select Plus
People who want affordable coverage
80% up to $10,000 per year
80% up to $750 per year
$200 every 2 years + $75 for eye exam
$400/year per practitioner ($40/visit limit)
Teladoc access, Rexall 20% off
Select Elite
Those looking for higher maximums and co-insurance
90% for the first $10,000, 100% after (up to $250,000)
80% up to $1,000 per year + 50% for major dental (up to $750)
$250 every 2 years + $75 for eye exam
$500/year per practitioner ($50/visit limit)
Teladoc access, Rexall 20% off
Guaranteed
People who are leaving workplace benefits and want a wide range of coverage with no medical exams
80% up to $10,000 per year
Not included
90% up to $75 for eye exam every 2 years
90% up to $300/year per practitioner
Private hospital room: $225/day up to 90 days, Teladoc access, Rexall 20% off
Guaranteed Plus
People looking for higher guaranteed coverage
85% up to $15,000 per year
80% up to $1,000 per year
$200 every 2 years + $75 for eye exam
$350/year per practitioner
Private hospital room: $225/day up to 90 days, Teladoc access, Rexall 20% off
Guaranteed Elite
Those looking for the highest coverage levels with no medical disclosure
90% up to $2,400 per year
85% up to $2,000 per year + 50% for major dental (up to $1,000)
$275 every 2 years + 90% for eye exam
$400/year per practitioner
Private hospital room: $250/day up to 90 days, Teladoc access, Rexall 20% off

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Disability coverage

Canada Life’s disability insurance offers monthly, tax-free income protection if an illness or injury prevents you from working. It’s designed to help cover everyday expenses like rent, groceries, and loan payments so you can focus on recovery, not bills.

    Canada Life Disability Coverage Perks


  • Choose your monthly benefit amount based on your income and needs
  • Coverage is customizable with optional benefits, and rates are guaranteed until age 65
  • Benefits typically begin after a waiting period and continue until you return to work or your benefit period ends
  • Payments can replace up to 80% to 90% of your take home pay

Critical Illness coverage

Canada Life’s critical illness insurance provides a one-time, tax-free lump sum if you’re diagnosed with a covered life-threatening illness. It offers financial flexibility to manage your recovery, whether that means paying bills, covering medical costs, or taking time off work. 

    Canada Life Critical Illness Coverage Perks


  • Coverage is available for conditions such as cancer, heart attacks, and strokes
  • Counselling and other professional services (such as childcare and nutritional advice) are available during your recovery
  • Access expert medical help for a second opinion or healthcare advice

How much does Canada Life health insurance cost?

The cost of Canada Life health insurance varies depending on the plan and coverage, your age, and your health status. 

We looked at the average premiums for their Freedom to Choose plans, and here’s what we found:

Freedom to Choose Plan
Average monthly premium
Select
$107.03
Plus
$222
Elite
$259.53
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While these numbers highlight the average cost of Canada Life’s Freedom to Choose plans, average premiums for their Freedom to Choose Guarantee plans may be higher due to increased coverage levels. 

Is Canada Life health insurance worth it? 

Canada Life health insurance can be worth it if you’re looking for customizable, long-term coverage with stability and add-on flexibility. Without an age cap on coverage, you can take your extended protection into retirement. Plus, perks like Teladoc virtual care and bundled benefit options add real everyday value. 

However, users frequently report challenges with claims processing and inconsistent customer service. Basic plans also have tight reimbursement limits, and premiums may rise with age or health changes. If you prefer digital self-service and want clearer transparency around coverage and costs, you may find other providers easier to work with.

FAQ: Canada Life health insurance

Our mission is to empower Canadians to make informed financial decisions. To achieve this, we have an expert editorial team that includes licensed insurance advisors and financial planners. We prioritize the best interests of Canadian families and won't endorse any product, company or financial strategy that we believe isn't suitable. Our educational guides are crafted by in-house experts, like licensed life insurance advisors. Before publication, we subject our research and advice to scrutiny and comprehensive revisions for accuracy and completeness.

Our mission is to empower Canadians to make informed financial decisions. To achieve this, we have an expert editorial team that includes licensed insurance advisors and financial planners. We prioritize the best interests of Canadian families and won't endorse any product, company or financial strategy that we believe isn't suitable. Our educational guides are crafted by in-house experts, like licensed life insurance advisors. Before publication, we subject our research and advice to scrutiny and comprehensive revisions for accuracy and completeness.