Simplified life insurance is ideal for any Canadian who doesn’t want to go through the prolonged process associated with getting life insurance coverage.

While online brokers, such as PolicyAdvisor.com, significantly reduce the time involved in applying for fully medically underwritten life insurance, simplified issue life insurance can be a quicker issue option for those needing coverage sooner.

Simplified life insurance coverage has no requirements for a medical exam. To apply, all you need to do is answer some simple questions regarding your health.

The waiting process is shorter and can oftentimes grant you immediate coverage. The tradeoff? Generally, premiums are higher for simplified coverage, and the coverage amount is lower than what you can get with traditionally underwritten life insurance.

Why should I consider simplified life insurance?

• Quick issue: Simplified life insurance makes it easy to obtain coverage quickly. There may be circumstances where you need coverage as soon as possible and can’t wait for the completion of a traditional underwriting process.
• No Medical Exam: You don’t have to go through a rigorous medical exam to apply for simplified coverage. This is perfect for people who either don’t like seeing doctors or nurses or would simply rather not go through the medical exam process in a face-to-face setting. Instead, applying for simplified life insurance involves answering specific health, lifestyle, and travel-related questions to determine your eligibility.
• Dangerous Occupations: Canadians who work in hazardous professions are often quickly disqualified from applying for traditional life insurance products. Many simplified life insurance policies don’t require the applicant to answer questions about their profession. This applies to those working in logging, roofing, mining, oil exploration, aviation, military and armed forces, offshore fishing, offshore oil and gas, professional underwater divers, professional entertainers (like stunt performers or drivers) and many other high-risk professions.
• Health Concerns: Those with underlying health conditions that may disqualify them from fully-medically underwritten life insurance can sometimes explore simplified life insurance. The medical questionnaire is usually between 1 and 25 questions, and generally more lenient about medical history.
• Extreme Sport Enthusiasts: Adventure sports like bungee jumping, cliff-diving, sky diving, and more can lead to exclusions and higher premiums with traditional life insurance. Non-medical, simplified coverage generally does not require one to disclose these activities.

Why shouldn’t I consider simplified life insurance?

• Increased Premiums: The biggest knock on simplified life insurance would be the generally increased premiums. You’re going to be paying a higher premium compared to traditional life insurance, which is to be expected considering the greater risk an insurer takes covering you without a medical exam.
• Coverage Needs: There are very few simplified life insurance policies that offer over $500,000 in coverage, and many will cap out between the $100,000 – $250,000 range. Traditional life insurance options will provide much higher death benefits; sometimes up to $10 million in coverage.

Who needs simplified life insurance in Canada?

There are many Canadians who would benefit from a simplified life insurance application process; but how are they supposed to know whether it’s the right fit?

If you have moderate to sever prior health concerns and need for life insurance, simplified life insurance is there to ensure that your family and loved ones will be taken care of after your passing.

The death benefit that comes with simplified life insurance can be used to cover mortgage payments, pay for funeral expenses, and help your family thrive well after you’ve passed on.

Simplified life insurance policies are great for those with limited insurance options due to their medical circumstances and lifestyle or require immediate life insurance coverage. Some common scenarios where Canadians choose simplified life insurance are:

What types of simplified life insurance are available?

Simplified issue term life insurance and simplified issue whole life insurance are available for Canadians needing non-medical coverage.

How is simplified life insurance different from guaranteed life insurance?

Simplified life insurance is different from guaranteed life insurance in one major way. Guaranteed acceptance coverage requires you to answer NO underwriting questions. Regardless of any health concerns, you will qualify for guaranteed coverage.

Because there are no medical questions asked, guaranteed life insurance is more expensive than other forms of simplified coverage. Guaranteed coverage always has a waiting period (typically 2 years) for the coverage to start; many forms of simplified coverage do not include this waiting period.

Read more about simplified issue vs guaranteed issue life insurance.

Is simplified issue life insurance worth it?

For many Canadians, simplified issue life insurance is undoubtedly worth the elevated premiums. The difference can be between getting simplified life insurance coverage or having no coverage at all. Regardless of your circumstances, you should speak with an experienced insurance advisor.

Having placed both simplified and traditional life insurance for so many Canadians, PolicyAdvisor can help you determine which coverage you might qualify for and how to get you the best policy for your insurance needs.

Life insurers consider many factors to determine whether to approve your insurance application and what premiums to charge for coverage. Prior illnesses, age, family health, and more are all considered. 

Underwriters also examine your weight. 

It’s rare for an insurance company to reject your application for being overweight or even obese. But, being overweight can result in several related illnesses, which can lower your chance of scoring the best insurance premium. It can also mean that you have to consider no-medical insurance options.

How underwriters decide the price of life insurance based on your weight

In most circumstances, when you apply for life insurance, the insurance company asks about your medical history to determine your mortality risk. During the application process, your insurer asks you a series of medical questions, requests you take a medical exam and may ask for an Attending Physician’s Statement. They can also check other documents such as:

• Prescription history
• Motor vehicle reports
• Insurance records
• Previous life insurance applications
  

After the review, the underwriter makes a determination. Depending on the information you provide, you will face one of four outcomes:

• You will receive a standard or preferred rate
• You will receive a rated policy resulting in a higher premium
• You will face a deferral or postponement pending further information
• You will be denied and possibly deemed uninsurable
  

Your health records (including your weight) could categorize you as preferred, standard, or rated. This categorization is a starting point for underwriters to determine your life insurance premiums. 

Do life insurance companies look at BMI?

Yes, life insurance companies consider your Body Max Index (BMI) to determine your risk of certain diseases or medical complications. Those with high BMIs are susceptible to health complications such as:

• Type-2 diabetes
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Heart attack
• Coronary heart disease
• Cardiovascular disease
• Gallbladder disease
• Liver disease
• Kidney disease 
• Certain cancers
• Sleep apnea

What is BMI?

Your BMI is based on your weight in kilograms divided by your height in metres squared (kg/m2). BMI is effectively a height-to-weight ratio. 

The average Canadian BMI for a males is 27.4 and 26.7 for females.

BMI scores are generally categorized into 4 groups:

Will being overweight impact life insurance rates?

Life insurance companies use your BMI information to determine your monthly premiums or life insurance rates. For example, a BMI over 25 or even over 30 won’t automatically disqualify you from coverage. But you may expect higher premiums. 

In most cases, each individual insurance company will have its own rating weight table depending on height, weight, and sometimes gender.

For example, someone who is 5’6” and is 230 lbs would be rated 50% higher than the standard rate due to their BMI ratio using the following Canadian BMI chart.

Is there a life insurance weight limit?

Due to the number of illnesses associated with being overweight, insurers ultimately see those on the heavier side as a greater risk. 

But insurers also consider your body mass in the context of other additional factors such as: 

• How overweight are you? 
• Do you have underlying health risk or medical condition related to your weight? 
• Is your BMI the result of muscle mass? (Insurers often provide leeway if you’re above-average weight because you’re an athlete or otherwise fit person.)

Being overweight or obese can also affect your mental health – another factor in your insurance premiums. How illnesses like depression or anxiety change your insurance costs is complex. 

Each insurer considers mental illness differently in their underwriting.

Can I lie about my weight on my life insurance application?

Lying about your weight, age, or health is considered insurance fraud and could void your life insurance policy.

So, while it’s tempting to lie about how much you weigh and pay a lower premium, the consequences could be disastrous. Your life insurance provider might deny your beneficiaries your death benefit if they discover your application misrepresented your health status (including your weight). 

Many life insurance applications also require a medical examination. This exam includes recording your body weight. So, misrepresenting your current weight or BMI won’t get you anywhere—your doctor is obligated to share accurate measurements with your potential insurance provider.

Alternatively, you can purchase no-medical life insurance, which doesn’t require a medical exam. No medical (simplified or guaranteed) life insurance only asks a few, basic medical questions for its underwriting process. However, if you’re opting for no-medical coverage in the hopes of getting cheaper rates, you’ll be disappointed. These types of life insurance policies are usually more expensive than standard policies and often have limits on how much coverage they provide. They are most beneficial for high-risk applicants who have exhausted their options with traditional life insurance applications.

Is it better to lose weight before getting life insurance?

Losing weight before your life insurance application could lower premiums depending on your insurer. But there are drawbacks. 

If you delay your life insurance purchase until you reach an ideal weight range, you increase your family’s financial risk as they’re not protected while you work off those extra pounds. 

Alternatively, you could purchase your life insurance policy and reapply once you lose the weight. This provides you with a lower monthly premium in the long term but covers your family as you grind it out in the gym or curb your caloric intake. 

Insurers may also investigate your medical history and see your previous weight. If they notice you only recently lost weight, they may consider your application based partially on your prior BMI. This is to ensure you can keep the pounds off. Additionally, if they see drastic fluctuations in your BMI, this may point to other health complications for underwriters to investigate. 

Maintaining a healthy, consistent BMI for approximately twelve months is usually enough for insurers to ignore your prior weight.

What if you’re denied life insurance for having a high BMI?

If an insurer denies you coverage based on your weight, speak to an expert insurance broker. They can help you find other insurance companies that may be more lenient with their rating and underwriting guidelines about weight. 

However, insurance companies don’t often reject applicants due to BMI. You likely need to be significantly over the obesity threshold or suffer from a major illness to be denied.

If you are declined from all standard life insurance policies, you may consider applying for no-medical life insurance. This type of policy usually doesn’t require you to disclose your weight.

What life insurance policy is best for an overweight person?

The best life insurance policy for overweight people is the one they can comfortably afford that offers them the life insurance coverage they require (or as close to it as they can get). With that said, some Canadian insurance companies have a much higher risk tolerance for medical conditions than others, and this can include weight and obesity conditions.

iA Financial Group (Industrial Alliance) is a Canadian financial services and insurance company with much more flexible weight classifications. If you have applied for life insurance with another insurance and your application was rejected on the basis of weight, one should certainly check their life insurance options with iA before moving on to a simplified life insurance application or forgoing coverage altogether.

No-medical life insurance for obese people

No-medical life insurance means you skip the thorough health examination that is usually required in the underwriting process. This is a great option for obese people as the insurer doesn’t consider your weight when determining whether you qualify.

This type of life insurance also has faster approvals — you won’t need to schedule and attend a medical appointment or wait for results. 

But, it comes at the cost of a higher monthly premium and limited coverage options. Your insurer may not offer obese applications the same variety of payout amounts or insurance riders if you choose to forego a paramedical exam.

If you’re concerned about your weight affecting your life insurance eligibility or premiums, our expert advisors can help. We can determine how your lifestyle, health history, and more influence your life insurance application approval. We can also suggest an insurer that best fits your needs. 

Schedule a call with one of our team of life insurance advisors today and learn more about competitive rates and coverage options.

Taking the initial steps to get life insurance coverage is hard work. Whether you are applying online or going through the arduous process of choosing a broker and provider, it can be incredibly frustrating when you finally apply for a policy and your life insurance application is declined.

There are several reasons why your application can be declined. You have control over what affects some of those reasons; with others, you quite simply do not.

So why might you be declined for life insurance, and what can you do if that happens? Read on to find out your next steps if you find yourself in these aggravating circumstances.

Why was my life insurance application declined?

We have explained in detail the various factors that determine the price of your life insurance policy. Answers you provide to your insurance company help them assess the cost and risk of insuring your life. Sometimes when they are done with their calculations, they establish the risk is too great for themselves to insure you for the policy you applied for, and deny your life insurance application.

There may have been a specific health or medical condition (such as obesity, cancer, diabetes or another chronic illness), medical testing or lab results, lifestyle choices (such as risky behaviours like sky diving and extreme sports), criminal records, driving behavior, dangerous occupations, even age, or income, and much more that triggered the decline of your life insurance application.

What are my options if my life insurance application is declined?

Don’t freak out – while many Canadians are quickly approved for life insurance, you are not alone if you received a life insurance denial letter. While it’s normal to feel angry, resentful, or upset if this happens to you – realize there are always options available. Step back, assess your situation, and take the following steps.

Gather all the information you can. Reach out to the insurer or your advisor and ask for information on why you were declined. This isn’t a topic where you have to be in the dark. The insurance company can provide more detailed information upon your request on whether the decline was due to exam results, medical history, driving record, or some other reason. 

If the decline was due to a health reason, insurance companies will typically have your exam results delivered to your family doctor detailing the medical issues behind their decision. From there, you can check with your physician to confirm the findings and any diagnosis.

Ask to reassess. At that stage, you should double-check that all the medical information shared with the insurance company was up to date and correct. If you find an error, you can always request the company reassess your application with all the correct medical data.

Ask them if they can issue with exclusions. In rare cases, insurance companies may reconsider a declined application if you agree to some exclusions based on your test results or medical history. For example, let’s say your insurance application was declined due to a heart condition. An insurance company may still grant you coverage, but exclude a death benefit if you pass away due to any complications of the heart that your condition may affect. Again, we stress this a very rare instance, but in your insurance buying journey, there is no harm in asking at this point.

If you’ve been declined, it will stay on your record for up to 7 years. Yes, that’s right – your record. Much like applying for credit, North American insurance companies share limited information regarding insurability of an applicant through a regulated body called the Medical Information Bureau (MIB) – which we promise has nothing to do with aliens…

Your records are kept to enhance transparency and consistency of information between the companies. In rare cases, the information the MIB provides prevents the more unscrupulous applicants from holding too many policies simultaneously or providing false information to get insured by one company after getting declined by another.

At the end of the day, their work and purpose ensure that insurance seekers are treated fairly throughout the whole process.

Thus, presenting false information on an additional life insurance application is not in your best interests. First thing’s first, it will flag your record for added future scrutiny. Secondly, if you lie on an application and a claim is declined at death because of it, you end up not covering anyone or anything you wanted to in the first place.

Buying life insurance involves numerous questions and decisions. A life insurance application asks typical questions about your health and lifestyle, but there are some out-of-the-ordinary queries as well. Namely, you’ll need to decide who to designate as your beneficiaries and whether they’ll be revocable or irrevocable. 

Sometimes, insurance policy language isn’t the most straightforward, which can make answering these questions more tricky than they have to be. Life insurance applicants might not even know the difference between a revocable or irrevocable beneficiary. But PolicyAdvisor is here to help make the insurance application jargon-free!

In the simplest terms, a beneficiary is a person who will get your life insurance payout. They can be a revocable or irrevocable beneficiary. The insurance company will require an irrevocable beneficiary’s signature and consent before making any change to your policy. In contrast, you won’t need a revocable beneficiary’s permission to make the same changes.

Policies generally default your beneficiaries to revocable, but there are particular reasons to make someone an irrevocable beneficiary. So, beyond those simple definitions, this article dives into detail about how to choose between the two types of beneficiaries for your life insurance policy.

What is a life insurance beneficiary?

Generally, a beneficiary describes someone who receives something like money or property. A life insurance beneficiary can be a person, multiple people, or an organization that receives your insurance policy death benefit. You will be asked to name a beneficiary, regardless of the type of life insurance you’re applying for.

It’s common to designate a spouse or child as a beneficiary. They ultimately receive the life insurance proceeds as a tax-free, lump-sum cash payment to use for debts, living expenses, estate taxes, and funeral arrangements. This way, you leave your loved ones in a healthy financial position if you pass away.

Minor children can be life insurance beneficiaries. However, provincial laws commonly require children under 18 to receive payouts through an irrevocable trust until they reach the age of majority. The trustee can manage the funds on behalf of the minor child through the trust until they are legally able to hold that money themselves.

A policy owner may designate a charitable organization as their beneficiary as a last good deed. You may even select your business as a beneficiary — a typical corporate planning tactic in strategies like key person insurance or buy-sell agreements. 

Your estate becomes the beneficiary if you don’t designate one. As a result, creditors can access your death benefit, and the money is subject to any applicable taxes, such as an estate administration tax. The remainder is divided based on your will or provincial intestacy laws. Therefore, if you want your death benefit to serve as a gift to a specific person or organization, it’s best to name them as a beneficiary, so they get to enjoy the full life insurance benefit.

What is an irrevocable beneficiary?

An irrevocable beneficiary is a beneficiary that must consent to any changes you request on your life insurance policy. Ultimately, irrevocable beneficiaries have a more substantial right to your death benefit because you can’t alter or cancel your life insurance without their permission.

Is an irrevocable beneficiary the primary beneficiary?

Primary beneficiaries are first in line to receive a policy’s death benefit. If your primary life insurance beneficiary is no longer alive when you die, the life insurance payout goes to your secondary or tertiary beneficiaries instead.

An irrevocable beneficiary is pretty much always your primary beneficiary. It’s rare for a secondary or tertiary beneficiary to be irrevocable. 

Why would you want an irrevocable beneficiary?

Irrevocable beneficiary status ensures money goes to where you originally planned. It’s commonly used in divorce settlements or separation agreements, where each spouse lists their ex as an irrevocable beneficiary. 

Suppose after a divorce, one spouse passes away. Their death means the other spouse no longer receives spousal or child aid payments for their dependent children. However, life insurance funds provide financial protection by making up for this loss.

An irrevocable beneficiary designation prevents a former spouse from changing the policy’s designation without the other person’s knowledge. Otherwise, some may attempt to remove their ex from their policy due to any number of circumstances.

Irrevocable beneficiary designations are also required when using a life insurance policy as loan collateral. The lender, such as a bank, would become the irrevocable beneficiary and is entitled to the death benefit. In exchange, the lender advances a percentage of the death benefit to the policyholder during their living years. This strategy allows you to use your policy’s payout before you die. But, if you repay the loan during your lifetime, the lender removes themselves as the beneficiary.

How Can I Remove an Irrevocable Beneficiary?

Removing an irrevocable beneficiary requires their consent — but that’s the whole point! With this in mind, a policy owner should choose an irrevocable beneficiary carefully, if you select one at all. You don’t want to regret your decision down the road.

What is a revocable beneficiary? 

A revocable beneficiary is a named beneficiary on your life insurance policy that you can change without their consent. If all your beneficiaries are revocable, you can freely modify or cancel your life insurance policy because no one else’s permission is required. 

This flexibility is helpful in situations like the following: suppose you select your two adult children to each receive 50% of your death benefit. They’re both revocable beneficiaries.

As time passes, family dynamics can change. As the years go by, Child One visits you frequently and has taken responsibility for your care more so than Child Two.

In this example, you might want to change your death benefit to provide Child One with a larger payout. However, if both children were irrevocable beneficiaries, Child Two might object to this change and not provide their consent. Keeping your beneficiaries revocable keeps you in full control of who gets the payout. 

 Contingent beneficiary (secondary beneficiary) 

Contingent or secondary beneficiaries only receive your death benefit if the primary beneficiary dies before or at the same time as you. Secondary and contingent beneficiaries are generally revocable beneficiaries. 

Should a beneficiary be revocable?

When doing estate planning with your life insurance plan, it’s usually wise to make contingent beneficiaries revocable. This removes the burden of gathering numerous consents whenever you want to change your life insurance.

Even primary beneficiaries can be revocable. Doing so lets you remain in control of your life insurance policy.

As life changes, your priorities change as well. Accommodating these priorities is much more complex when you need one or multiple irrevocable beneficiaries to consent to policy changes.

What is the difference between revocable and irrevocable life insurance?

The main difference between revocable and irrevocable life insurance is how you make changes to the policy. A life insurance company requires your irrevocable beneficiary’s consent to make policy changes. In contrast, a revocable policy lets you change your life insurance around freely and without anyone else’s permission.

How often should I review my beneficiaries?

As a policy owner, it’s important to review your beneficiaries regularly. This ultimately depends on your own schedule, but many people do it once a year.

It is also beneficial to revisit your policy and its beneficiaries whenever you face a major life event. This could include a new home purchase, marriage, divorce, birth of a child, or even a family member’s death.

We understand that as your life changes, so do your insurance requirements. A PolicyAdvisor expert insurance advisor can help you set up a new policy or make changes to your existing one to meet your evolving needs. Schedule a call with a PolicyAdvisor insurance expert today!

Most people assume that life insurance for seniors is either not worth it or impossible to get approved – but, it is not true!

If you are aged 60 or over and looking to get some form of life insurance coverage, you can take comfort in the fact that obtaining term life insurance for seniors is more than possible.

Read on to find out what your coverage options are and how you can secure the protection you need in retirement age.

Is life insurance worth it for seniors?

Yes! Life insurance is worth it for any senior looking to build generational wealth and financial security for their family. While many seniors have adequate savings to leave their families to cover their debts when they pass, some do not. Even if they have savings, there are still many situations where a senior may have outstanding final expenses that life insurance can cover.

Life insurance provides a tax-free lump sum to your loved ones or estate for anything they wish. It can be used to:

Life insurance is vital coverage for any senior looking to secure their family’s financial future. But the clock is ticking! It’s important to place coverage as soon as possible.

Does age matter in life insurance?

Yes. Age matters when it comes to life insurance eligibility and cost. The older you are, the more expensive your life insurance coverage will be—this is why it’s important to apply for coverage as soon as possible!

Additionally, some types of coverage have age limits. Most life insurance providers do not approve term life insurance policies for those over the age of 75.

What is the oldest age you can get life insurance?

For term life policies, you must not be older than 85 while the policy is in force. For most companies, this means they have an age restriction of 75 because the shortest term they offer is 10 years.

For example, a 75-year-old could buy a 10-year-term policy, but a 76-year-old could not because they would be 86 before the policy expires.

Some companies have exceptions, such as Canada Life, which will issue a 5-year term policy to an 80-year-old. 

For whole-life coverage, some insurance companies issue up to age 85.

Type of life insurance for seniors

Depending on their individual health and coverage needs, seniors have many life insurance types to choose from.

• Traditionally underwritten life insurance
  (usually requires a medical exam)
  • Term life insurance
  • Whole life insurance

• No-medical life insurance
  (usually doesn’t require a medical exam)
  • Simplified issue life insurance
  • Guaranteed issue life insurance

Traditionally underwritten life insurance

Traditional policies are fully underwritten, meaning applicants will have to answer health questionnaires and may have to go through a medical exam that details their health history.

Term life insurance for seniors

Term life insurance is a type of life insurance product that covers you for a specific length of time, called a term, and pays a tax-free, lump-sum payment to your beneficiaries if you die, within the term.

A healthy 60-year-old seeking life insurance coverage for a temporary need (such as paying off an outstanding mortgage) will find term life is a more affordable option.

Whole life insurance for seniors 

Permanent life insurance policies (also known as whole life insurance) cover you for your entire life. A permanent policy is best to cover final expenses like funeral costs, outstanding debts, and end-of-life medical costs. Your policy options for permanent life insurance are whole life or universal life insurance. 

Since this is lifelong coverage, it is generally more expensive. Additionally, whole life policies also have the living benefit of a cash value component. This cash value may be accessed during your lifetime either by withdrawing or borrowing against it. 

A senior may also look into a term-to-100 policy. It’s like a blend of term and whole life insurance. This policy lasts your entire life (like whole life) and you pay level premiums (like term life) until you turn 100 years old. 

No-Medical life insurance for seniors 

No medical life policies have very few medical questions and do not require a medical exam. Options include simplified and guaranteed issue life insurance. Both types of policies insurance have lower coverage amount options than traditionally underwritten policies. These policies are best for those who: 

• have an underlying health condition or medical issue
• have hobbies or pastimes that are considered dangerous (like sky-diving)
• need to get coverage quickly

Simplified life insurance for seniors

Simplified issue life insurance requires you to answer a FEW questions about your medical history on the life insurance application, rather than undergoing a full physical medical exam and interview process. Simplified issue life insurance policies usually carry additional limitations such as an exclusion period (sometimes 1-2 years) during which no claims are accepted. They may also have lower death benefit coverage than traditional policies. 

Guaranteed life insurance for seniors

Guaranteed life insurance has NO health questions and is essentially a pay-to-play product. It is a last-resort life insurance option for seniors. It’s there for those who don’t qualify for any traditional life insurance policies or simplified life policies. A guaranteed issue policy has a 2-year waiting period as well as a lower life insurance payout amount—the death benefit is usually limited to $50,000. 

Find out more about the difference between simplified vs guaranteed life insurance.

How much does life insurance for seniors in Canada cost?

For a typical 60-year-old non-smoking female in regular health, $100,000 of a 20-year term life insurance plan could cost just over $61 per month, and around $97 for a male. The cost of life insurance premiums depends on several factors such as age, gender, smoking status, lifestyle, and overall health. For example, smoking almost doubles the price of these premiums to $198 and $126 per month respectively.

Read more about how much life insurance costs in general.

What is the best life insurance for seniors in Canada?

The “best” life insurance policy for seniors depends on one’s individual situation. Our life insurance needs calculator below can shed more light on your specific insurance requirements. But in general, here is a list of what is available our expert insurance advisors might recommend based on your age. 

Life insurance for seniors 60 and over

Life insurance for seniors over 60 offers a way to protect your loved ones and cover final expenses in your later years. Here are your policy options as in your 60s.

• 5- year term
• 10-year term
• 15-year term
• 20-year term
• 25-year term
• Term-to-100
• Whole life
• Universal life

Life insurance for seniors 65 and over

Life insurance for seniors over 65 is a valuable tool to ensure your family’s financial well-being and address end-of-life planning. After 65, term options become more limited due to the term age restriction at 85. Here are your options as you approach 65 or older. 

• 5-year term
• 10-year term
• 15-year term
• 20-year term (65-year-olds only)
• Term-to-100
• Whole life
• Universal life

Life insurance for seniors 70 and over

Life insurance for seniors over 70 remains accessible and essential for securing your legacy and easing the burden on your family. If you haven’t already put a life insurance plan in place, you still have options: 

• 5-year term
• 10-year term
• 15-year term (70-year-olds only)
• Term-to-100
• Whole life
• Universal life

Life insurance for seniors 75 and over

Seniors over 75 can still secure life insurance, providing an essential safety net for their loved ones and addressing end-of-life costs. Here are life policy options for seniors 75 and over:

• 5-year term 
• 10-year term (75-year-olds only)
• Term-to-100
• Whole life
• Universal life

Life insurance for seniors over 80 and over

Life insurance for seniors over 80 becomes even more critical, allowing you to leave a lasting legacy and manage estate planning efficiently. Term coverage is limited to a 5-year term, which few providers offer. Here are your options if you’re 80 and over:

• 5-year term
• 10-year term (75-year-olds only)
• Term-to-100
• Whole life
• Universal life

Where can I get affordable life insurance for seniors in Canada?

As we mentioned, Insurance companies base their premiums on many factors (such as age, health, amount of coverage, term, etc). Because every senior’s situation is different, life insurance rates vary. 

However, insurance companies that are popular with our senior clients include: 

• Canada Life: This company offers a short 5-year term option that is best for elderly people looking to be covered between 80 and 85 years old. Term life insurance is more affordable, but it is only temporary coverage. 
• Wawanesa: This company calculates their prices based on your actual age at the time of application, rather than your nearest birthday like most insurers (which may be older). 
• Industrial Alliance: This company is popular for guaranteed term life insurance coverage. Their Access Life insurance product has a maximum issue age of 80 with coverage amounts between $10,000 and $500,000. 
• Canada Protection Plan (CPP): Seniors also choose CPP for their guaranteed life insurance plans, although their coverage maxes out at $50,000.

We encourage you to use our online tool to get life insurance quotes for seniors. There you can easily compare the price of premiums offered by different insurance companies based on your unique needs and situation.

Get a quote for seniors life insurance

With so many options available, making a choice can get challenging. If you’re still not clear about your situation and which insurance policy to choose, don’t worry. Our licensed insurance advisors have decades of experience helping Canadians compare life insurance quotes and choose coverage at the best rates for seniors. Get an online quote or book a call with us to go over your options and what product is best for you.

Seniors Life Insurance FAQ

Can I get a life insurance policy for my parents?

Yes. You can get a life insurance policy for your parents. To buy a life insurance policy on someone else’s life, you will need to prove that you have an insurable interest in their lives—this means, if they pass away, you would affected financially. For example, if you co-owned a house and they help cover the mortgage payments, this would mean you have an insurable interest. Age restrictions will apply based on your parent’s age at the time of application and they may have to undergo medical tests.

Is there government life insurance for seniors?

No. There is no government-funded life insurance for seniors in Canada like there are programs for health insurance. To get coverage, a senior must purchase life insurance privately. To find an affordable life insurance option for your financial goals, contact an advisor today!

Can seniors with bad health get life insurance?

Yes. Depending on the type and severity of the pre-existing medical condition, seniors can still get life insurance coverage. If the pre-existing condition is well managed and not considered life-threatening, then coverage will typically be available at regular rates.

In more moderate to severe health cases, the pre-existing medical condition may lead to higher premiums or denial of traditional policies. If that’s the case, no medical life insurance may be a better option as the application for these policies doesn’t ask many health questions.

Can seniors get life insurance without a medical exam?

Yes. There are several situations where a senior may opt to apply for coverage without a medical exam. High-risk seniors in poor health may have severe pre-existing medical conditions that disqualify them from traditional term life insurance or whole life insurance.

In other cases, some simply do not want to go through the physical or time-consuming process of a medical examination. For these situations, there is the option to choose from no-medical life insurance policies, though premiums are generally higher and coverage amounts are lower than traditionally underwritten policies.

If you’re in the market for an insurance policy – life insurance or otherwise – you’ve likely come across the concept of underwriting. Insurance professionals throw around the term a lot—an article mentions underwriting risk, or your broker references an underwriter. These professionals may assume everyone understands what underwriting is, but that’s not always the case.

This article explains the concepts behind underwriting, inside and outside of insurance. We further detail how life insurance policies are underwritten, including the factors considered, and what the underwriting process entails.

How does underwriting work?

Underwriter is an important role at institutions and companies that deal with financial risk. Insurance is the transfer of risk from an individual to a company. It is the underwriter’s job to determine if its financially viable to take this risk on.

Underwriting isn’t only applicable to insurance. It references any time an individual or organization takes a monetary risk in exchange for a payment. You might have heard the term in reference to investment bankers and stocks. Investment banks underwrite initial public offerings by guaranteeing the offering company that their equity will sell at a specific price.

Commercial banks also underwrite the risks of lending money to people and businesses, whether for a new home or equipment. During this procedure, the bank looks at a person or businesses’ credit score, financials, and more to determine how risky granting a loan to that person or business is.

Insurance underwriting follows a similar path. The underwriting process and the role of an underwriter determine the risk of a particular event happening, such as damage to your vehicle or your death. This allows the insurer to price premiums correctly or deny your coverage altogether.

The insurance underwriting process varies depending on the type of insurance you’re purchasing. Factors, timelines, and procedures also vary between insurers. For example, a home insurance policy usually considers how old your property is, where it’s located, what you’re using the building for, how close it is to a fire hydrant, and more. In contrast, a car insurance policy involves your prior driving record, your car’s year and model, its safety features, your age and driving history, and so forth.

How life insurance policies are underwritten

A life insurer’s risk is that you may die within your policy’s active years, and they’ll have to pay out your death benefit. As a result, the life insurance underwriter calculates your likelihood of death using a cocktail of factors, software programs, and actuarial tables.

Factors that life insurers consider when underwriting

Every insurance company has a different underwriting formula. That’s why your premium from insurer to insurer may vary and why some may deny coverage while others don’t. Generally, life insurers consider the following:

Age

As we get older, we face new ailments that increase our likelihood of death. That’s why younger people usually have lower life insurance premiums. In some cases, you may see a decline in your life insurance costs as you get older because older can also mean more time away from your last cigarette or dangerous hobby. Accidental deaths are the main contributor to deaths in younger age groups, and thus underwriters look for other signs of risk as you’ll read below.

Overall health

Overall health can include existing medical conditions, your body mass index (BMI), family health history, and more. More commonly, insurers are considering mental health. But how mental health factors into your coverage remains complicated.

Gender

Women, on average, live six to eight years longer than men (source: World Health Organization). So, women generally see lower rates for life insurance. However, the rates for disability insurance trend higher for women as they have a higher rate of disability.

Occupation

Jobs such as police officers, firefighters, construction workers, oil drillers, and loggers are among a long list of those who face more risks than others resulting in higher premiums. However, with increasing studies (National Library of Medicine) linking stress to higher mortality rates, having a high-stress office job may also affect your coverage.

Foreign travel

Frequent travelling or upcoming trips to dangerous countries can lead insurers to suspect a higher risk of death.

Previous ratings

If you previously applied for life insurance and received a life insurance rating, your current application may consider this initial rating.

Hobbies

Dangerous hobbies can mean higher insurance rates. Activities such as bungee jumping, paragliding, or skydiving may not be the best idea.

Alcohol and drug use

Regular binge drinking, a history of drug or alcohol abuse, or a lousy nicotine habit can put you at a higher risk of death. Naturally, it also means a higher premium. Although light marijuana use will not affect your premium, an insurer may treat regular marijuana consumption similar to regular tobacco use.

Driving history

In 2018, Canada saw over 1,900 deaths as a result of motor vehicle accidents (source: government statistics). A poor driving record can, therefore, indicate a higher risk to the insurer.

Does no-medical life insurance go through underwriting?

Some insurers offer policies that skip the medical examination part of underwriting, but that does not mean they skip the underwriting process. Because a lack of medical examination means less information to determine their risks, it generally results in a higher premium. The underwriting process of these policies is through a medical questionnaire an applicant would answer with their insurance advisor.

The benefit of a no-medical life insurance policy is that it’s a simplified procedure. Without the need for physical examinations and having the underwriter examine those results, the insurer can approve your policy within a few days (or instantly!) instead of weeks.

Those with particular health struggles may also prefer a no-medical life insurance option. Instead of health tests, you would just answer the medical questionnaire with your life insurance advisor. With that in mind, if you’re generally in good health, going with a medical option usually leads to a cheaper insurance premium.

How does the life insurance underwriting process work?

Like the factors considered, the underwriting process for life insurance differs between insurers, but you can generally expect the following steps:

Application

You and your insurance advisor complete an application that outlines general information about your health and lifestyle. It will provide the insurer with the information to consider the prior mentioned factors.

Medical examination

Depending on your policy or your application, the insurer may require a medical examination. This can include:

• A statement from your physician— i.e., a summary of your medical history to verify your questionnaire (this is also known as an Attending Physician Statement)
• A check of your previous records with the Medical Information Bureau
• A paramedical exam that checks your height, weight, blood pressure, and other vitals
• An interview to further understand your medical history and lifestyle
• A blood and/or urine test to provide additional insights into your health

An insurer may also ask for a motor vehicle report or financial inspection report to better understand your non-medical risks.

Occasionally, an insurance company may request additional medical tests based on the assessed risk gathered from the information above. Due to COVID-19 protocols, many insurance providers are relying on tele-health interviews to determine one’s health history.

The underwriter’s role

Your application is sent to and verified by an underwriter who assesses your risks. Based on a guide unique to each insurer, the underwriter compares your risk factors to the insurer’s guidelines to determine whether you’re an appropriate risk for the company.

This is also the stage where underwriters use software and actuarial tables to determine your premium.

Final thoughts

Underwriting is ultimately how an insurer determines how risky you are as a policyholder. The factors they consider and how they go about underwriting vary between what insurance you’re purchasing and who you’re purchasing from.

To learn more, speak with one of our experienced advisors. They can help you through the underwriting process – including filling out any questionnaires – and further explain what options may be best for you.

There are many factors one must consider when contemplating who should get no-medical life insurance. Time commitment, health issues, iatrophobia (the fear of doctors) – the list goes on. Before you start your search for no-medical life insurance, find out if it’s the right fit for your needs at this time.

Definition of no-medical life insurance

No-medical life insurance is just that. Life insurance issued to an applicant without the need for medical underwriting; a process that typically entails a medical exam by a paramedical service employed by the insurance company you’ve chosen to work with. The medical exam typically includes a blood test, a urine test, and a check of your vitals (blood pressure, and height and weight) in addition to a medical questionnaire. On the other hand, no-medical exam policies exclude the body fluid sample collection and rely solely on the questionnaire.

Digging deeper, no-medical life insurance comes in three different varieties: accelerated issue, simplified issue, and guaranteed issue. Each policy type requires a different level of scrutiny into your health and medical history, and their premiums reflect this. Typically, accelerated issue life insurance will have the lowest premiums due to its more in-depth, dynamic medical questionnaire, while guaranteed issue life insurance has the highest premiums as it asks for virtually no-medical history from its applicants.

How do I know if I should get no-medical life insurance?

Whether for one of the reasons stated above, or another concern you have when it comes to medical underwriting, you have many factors to consider whether you want to go forward with no-medical life insurance. As we mentioned, no-medical life insurance policies are priced differently than those that are medically underwritten. And by different, we mean more expensive.

Thus, keep that in mind when contemplating the following scenarios. You can save a substantial amount of money by going through medical underwriting for term life insurance if you have that option. Before proceeding with any life insurance policy, speak with your broker. Licensed experts – like ours at PolicyAdvisor – are specially trained to help you navigate insurance questions like these. We have years of experience helping Canadians pick the right life insurance for their needs and their budgets, all while saving them time completing their applications digitally.

Should I get no-medical life insurance if I have underlying health conditions?

no-medical life insurance is certainly an option for those with health concerns. If you’ve survived a recent critical illness (like cancer, heart disease, etc), or suffer from a chronic illness, your number of traditional insurance options may be slim Not only that, but coverage could be denied once you apply or prohibitively expensive once you are provided with the final price after a medical exam.

In some of these cases, your best option may be no-medical life insurance. However, speak with a licensed broker. They will have the best idea of whether no-medical life insurance or a traditional option is best for you. Keep in mind that CLHIA statistics show only a small number of life insurance applications are denied each year.

Read More: Can I Get Life Insurance With Pre-existing Health Conditions?

Should I get no-medical insurance if I have diabetes?

The above answer is also sound advice for diabetics applying for life insurance or contemplating no-medical life insurance. While, as a diabetic, you may have assumed you won’t qualify for traditionally underwritten life insurance, that’s simply not the case. 

Diabetics with demonstrably consistent, tight control of their blood sugar, and in general good health can qualify for the same insurance pricing as anyone else applying for underwritten life insurance.

However, perfect control is not a reality for many of the millions of Canadians living with diabetes. Even a hemoglobin A1C above 7 can result in an increased rating from an insurance company. If your diabetes control is at a point where it results in an incredibly high insurance rating or outright decline of an application, then you may consider no-medical life insurance.

Should I get no-medical life insurance if my previous application was denied?

Having your life insurance application denied is not ideal, but it does not mean you have no choice when it comes to protecting your income for your family or beneficiaries. An application denial is a scenario where you may instantly choose to navigate the different no-medical life insurance policies – like simplified and guaranteed issue – to ensure you get coverage. Before you do so, speak with your broker and find out why your insurance was denied. You may have the chance to reassess your application, reapply with a different insurance company, or have it insured with exclusions for the specific issue that triggered its denial. 

Either way, having an experienced broker by your side will help you find the right policy for you on your new search or modify your previous application so that it works for your situation.

Should I get no-medical life insurance if I am healthy and want to save time?

The short answer: yes. 

The long answer? There are many ways to save time when comparing and buying life insurance. First and foremost, a digital life insurance broker can help you through the insurance buying process. They can provide you with quotes in minutes and guide you towards the best choices that can save you money; all in a fraction of the time a traditional mortgage broker would take to get you covered.

What’s even better is – thanks to their years of experience – our brokers can guide you to accelerated issue life insurance options that don’t require face-to-face medical exams, yet offer comparable pricing to other medically underwritten insurance policies. Companies like Assumption Life, Canada Protection Plan, Desjardins, Empire Life, Manulife, Industrial Alliance (iA), RBC and others offer a substantial amount of term life coverage to those in good health without the need for a medical exam. Depending on your age, some of these companies can offer coverage of as much as $5 million dollars to healthy applicants without requiring a medical exam.

While there is nothing better than instant – our licensed brokers can do the time-consuming leg-work involved in finding you the best policy while avoiding the higher premiums of some no-medical options. no-medical life insurance is not the sole choice if you want to save time AND money.

Should I get no-medical life insurance if I don’t like the doctor’s office?

You certainly can, but there are other options if you want to get life insurance without entering your doctor’s crowded waiting room. All insurance companies offer a paramedical appointment to collect your health information. A nurse can visit you at home or your place of work and collect bloodwork, blood pressure, and the other information required by underwriters. 

But, as alluded to previously, there are some providers that offer accelerated issue term life insurance policies. Depending on your health and how you answer the initial medical questionnaire, you may qualify for coverage without ever having to do a medical.

I’m not sure if I need no-medical life insurance. Who can I talk to?

We thought you’d never ask! PolicyAdvisor’s mission is to help Canadians save time and money as they seek out life insurance coverage. We work with 20 of Canada’s biggest and best insurance companies. Our experience with these providers grants us the ability to find the right, custom coverage for your needs. And that means saving you time and recommending no-medical insurance that fits your budget and needs when appropriate. Reach out and we’ll help you start comparing life insurance quotes online. In the mean time, check out our life insurance calculator so you have an idea of how much coverage you may need.

1. What is non-medical life insurance?

Non-medical life insurance or life insurance without a medical exam refers to the fastest-growing category of life insurance products in Canada. Non-medical life insurance policies do not require a medical exam, blood test, or an assessment of your vitals (blood pressure, height and weight etc). Without the requirement for such tests, life insurance coverage can be obtained much faster – sometimes even instantaneously. No wonder it’s so popular.

2. What are the benefits of life insurance coverage without a medical exam?

Life insurance without a medical exam has historically been made available to those individuals that have moderate to severe health issues. These policies are usually more accommodating in their underwriting requirements and therefore cater to harder to insure individuals or those that have been declined health coverage. Increasingly, such coverage is also available through accelerated underwriting to healthy individuals that may want to set up coverage quickly and avoid the pain points of traditional underwriting (or just the major pain point associated with syringes!).

In effect, non-medical coverage offers several benefits such as:

• Easier underwriting process
• Faster to complete the process
• More accommodating for those with prior health considerations or previously declined applications
• Avoid dealing with blood work or needles
• No face to face interaction necessary

3. Is there a waiting period for non-medical life insurance claims? Does my coverage start right away?

The waiting period for a life insurance policy refers to the length of time (usually up to 2 years) when claims may not be paid by insurance companies. Most non-medical options allow for coverage to be available instantly after approval, without any waiting period.

There are some products in the market where the coverage may be deferred. Such products are typically offered to individuals with severe health considerations or those currently undergoing treatment.

4. Which companies offer life insurance coverage without a medical exam?

Most Canadian life insurers offer a substantial amount of life insurance coverage without requiring a medical test. At PolicyAdvisor, we work with the best life insurance companies in Canada and have access to both their standard (medically underwritten) products and non-medical products.

Many of the biggest life insurance companies in Canada such as Manulife, Canada Life, Desjardins, Industrial Alliance, RBC Life Insurance, BMO Life Insurance and others are now able to offer significant life insurance coverage without requiring a blood test. In some cases, for healthy applicants, coverage as much as $5 million can be offered without medicals (also known as without fluids) using these companies’ accelerated underwriting processes.

There are also leading providers, such as Canada Protection Plan, Assumption Life, and Industrial Alliance (iA) that specialize in offering simplified life insurance products, that are available without a medical exam. This type of simplified coverage is best suited to individuals with moderate to severe health issues. In such cases coverage is limited to a maximum of $500,000.

5. Is non-medical insurance expensive?

If you are in good health, then life insurance coverage without a medical exam offers comparable premiums to coverage obtained after bloodwork and vitals are taken.

If however you have some prior health considerations, then the premiums may be higher to compensate for the elevated risk the insurance company is taking on.

6. Can I get joint coverage with my spouse without a medical?

Non-medical term insurance is generally issued on an individual basis. However if you and your spouse are in good health and qualify for accelerated underwriting, then you will be able to get joint coverage without medicals. Our advisors can easily assist you when reviewing your options for joint coverage.

7. Should I get non-medical insurance if I am healthy?

If you want your coverage approved and in place quickly then we recommend you take a non-medical policy if you are eligible. Without the time commitments of in-person blood work and tests there is no downside or price difference for non-medical coverage.

Some of the insurance providers we work with offer more favorable rates for customers who are in good health. For example, Canada Protection Plan has products such as Express Elite that are specifically designed for applicants in good health, who want quick coverage.

8. Are non-medical policies safe? Will my non-medical life insurance pay out a claim?

Yes! Of course, they are safe and will pay out a claim. The claims process for non-medical life insurance works exactly as it would for any other type of life insurance. The process for applying is easier and faster than regular medically underwritten issuance. However, there is no difference in the claims process between life insurance with a medical and without a medical.

9. I have Diabetes. Can I qualify for insurance without medicals?

There are several options for life insurance coverage for diabetes. The availability of these options depends on the age of the applicant, how long they have had diabetes, the degree of control, and the presence of any related complications if any. Non-medical policies are usually more accommodative for those with prior health conditions, including diabetics. Get in touch with us and we will be able to go over the details of your diabetes history and ensure you get a plan that’s right for you.

10. Can I get life insurance without a medical if I have been treated for cancer?

There are several on-medical life insurance options for those that have successfully overcome cancer. The coverage options depend on your age, type of cancer, the number of years since your treatment was completed, and a few other factors. At PolicyAdvisor, our advisors are able to work with you to find a suitable non-medical insurance product, personalized for your needs.

Read more about life insurance after cancer. 

11. Can I get non medical life insurance if I have heart disease and have had angioplasty?

You may be able to qualify for certain types of non medical life insurance depending on the severity of the heart condition and the number of years since the heart treatment or angioplasty was completed. Generally speaking, if the time since your angioplasty was completed is more than 3 years, you should qualify for life insurance coverage.

Read more about getting life insurance with a heart condition. 

12.  Can I increase my coverage later?

Most insurance companies will require you to complete a new application. This will include a new questionnaire. If there is no change in your health or lifestyle situation, then you can always apply for additional coverage, under a new policy.

13. Can I get insurance without a medical if I am on a work permit?

Yes, you can! Some insurers provide life insurance coverage for individuals on a temporary work permit or a student visa, albeit for lower coverage amounts. You do not have to be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident to apply for coverage without a medical exam.

14. Can I get non-medical insurance if I’m recovering from a chronic illness?

If you have a chronic illness or are recovering from one, there may be options available for your life insurance needs. Guaranteed life insurance is available for those currently receiving medical treatment, although these products usually have a waiting or deferral period. For example, if you have recently been diagnosed with a mental health disorder such as anxiety, depression, or bipolar, your insurance provider may require a two-year deferral period. 

Our experienced life insurance advisors are happy to assist you. Schedule a call and we will be ready to assist.

15. What is the application process for non-medical life insurance?

As Canada’s best life insurance advisor, we are making the life insurance purchase process radically simple and easy. Our in-house advisors will help you complete a digital application form that will be electronically submitted to the insurance company. The form will ask a few medical and non-medical questions. Once the application is submitted, it takes 1 to 2 weeks for approval, although in some cases coverage can be approved instantly. Once the policy is approved, you may also have the option to receive the policy electronically.

There are many different types of life insurance. Traditional life insurance policies usually have the best prices and coverage, but their applications are harder to approve because of their strict rules. Not everyone can qualify for them. But there’s another type called no-medical life insurance. This kind is easier to get because you don’t need to do a medical examination during the application process.

There are 2 main types of no medical life insurance: simplified issue and guaranteed issue. The right policy for you will depend on several factors. In this article, we’ll compare both to help you decide.

Should I get simplified or guaranteed life insurance? 

The question of which type of insurance you should get depends on your unique needs, and which policy you would be most likely to get approved for.

Generally speaking…

Simplified issue life insurance is best if you:

• Are older in age
• Have a history of health concerns
• Have serious health issues
• Don’t want to do a medical exam
• Need life insurance quickly and don’t have time to wait for the traditional underwriting process
• Can’t get traditional life insurance products for some reason (health issues, dangerous occupation, or risky hobbies)

Guaranteed issue life insurance is best if you:

• Have severe health issues or a terminal illness
• Can’t get simplified life insurance

Normally, we suggest that people with health concerns try to get a simplified issue policy. It’s a better choice than guaranteed issue, which we only suggest if someone does not qualify for any other type of insurance.

A guaranteed policy may not be the best possible outcome, and may not provide as large a death benefit payout as you wanted. But at the very least it can give you peace of mind in knowing that your loved ones will be provided for to some degree if something unexpectedly happens to you. It’s often used as a form of burial insurance to cover an insured person’s funeral costs and any other end-of-life expenses.

Autism is a wide spectrum that comes with a range of symptoms and conditions that can affect day-to-day living. It typically affects children, but a growing number of adults are diagnosed with it too.

Because more and more people with autism are sharing their stories online, there is a better understanding of how autism can impact a person’s life. The impact is very little for some, but for others it may mean relying on others to function. This growing awareness allows the stigma about autism to get better with time.

It’s not impossible to get life insurance with autism, but it can be confusing to know where to start and what your best options are. Insurance companies might need more information and assessments, and the coverage could have limitations or cost more.

In this article, we’ll explore some of the options and show you what some of Canada’s biggest life insurance companies will look for on your application.

Can people with autism get life insurance?

Yes, you can qualify for life insurance if you have autism. There are several options available, although different companies look at autism differently in children and in adults. So, age will play a major factor in determining what kind of insurance someone on the spectrum can get. But even in the most severe cases, people with autism will still have options.

What is Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)?

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a mental condition that affects the nervous system and changes the way the brain functions. It’s called a “neurodevelopmental disorder” and is most commonly diagnosed in childhood. Autism affects how people see and interact with the world. It can make social communication and interaction difficult and cause repetitive behaviors.

While autism is a health condition, it is not considered an illness or disease. And although it affects the brain, it’s not considered a mental illness. ASD is called a “spectrum” disorder because it includes a wide range of symptoms and abilities. Each person with ASD is unique and experiences it differently.

There is no cure for autism, so it is a lifelong condition. But there are ways that people on the spectrum can manage their condition well and live a “normal” life. ASD is not expected to shorten someone’s life expectancy on its own, but it can lead to more serious health concerns like physical or mental health conditions, such as epilepsy, seizures, or depression/anxiety.

What are the 5 types of autism?

The five most common types of autism spectrum disorder are:

1. Autistic Disorder: This is the most well-known type of autism. It’s also known as Kanner’s Syndrome. People with Autistic Disorder may have difficulties communicating and be extra sensitive or reactive to specific senses.
2. Asperger Syndrome: Individuals with this type may be able to speak and function normally but may have trouble with social interactions.
3. Childhood Disintegrative Disorder: This rare type of autism involves a significant loss of previously acquired skills, such as language and social skills.
4. Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS): Used to describe individuals who have some autism symptoms but may not fit into the other categories.
5. Rett Syndrome: Mostly affects girls and leads to severe physical and mental impairments. Since 2013, Rett is not technically still considered an autism disorder in a medical sense. But it still often comes up in discussions about autism.