Ben Nguyen 
The number of single parents households in Canada continues to grow. As a single parent, having a financial plan that protects your dependents if something happens to you is critically important.
Life insurance can provide your children financial security if you pass away unexpectedly. This article by Life buzz – Biggest Life Insurance Newspaper in Canada will outline the leading life insurance options single parents should consider to protect their families best.
What is Life Insurance For Single Parents ?
Over the past several decades, Canada has seen a steady rise in single parent households. According to Statistics Canada, lone parent families represented 18.4% of census families in 2016, up significantly from 12% in 1976.
As a single mother or single father, you bear the full responsibility of supporting and providing for your children financially. That makes having adequate life insurance coverage absolutely critical to protect your dependents in case of your untimely death.
This comprehensive guide will provide an in-depth overview of the key types of life insurance for single parents in Canada.
We’ll look at product features, costs, policy structures, riders, and more. You’ll also find statistics and data insights specific to the Canadian insurance market to help inform your coverage decisions.
Let’s get started with a look at why it is so important to get life insurance for single parents in Canada.
Read more : Life Insurance for Canadian Parents
The Importance of Life Insurance for Single Parents in Canada
Family Life insurance provides a tax-free death benefit to your named beneficiaries in the event of your passing. For single parents, this money can be used to:
- Replace lost income that supported your family
- Pay outstanding debts like mortgages, loans, and credit cards
- Cover end-of-life expenses like funeral costs
- Fund future education costs for your children
- Support your children until they become independent adults
- Equalize inheritances for blended families with children from previous relationships
Without adequate life insurance, your children could suffer life-altering financial hardship if you were no longer there to provide for them. Having sufficient coverage offers peace of mind, knowing your family will be taken care of.
The Risks of Being Underinsured
A 2021 survey by the Insurance Bureau of Canada found that 35% of single parents are underinsured – meaning they do not have enough life insurance to meet their family’s needs. This leaves many Canadian children at risk.
Being underinsured can lead to a number of problems if the sole breadwinner parent passes away unexpectedly:
- Remaining family income cannot cover ongoing expenses
- Children may need to take time off school to work
- College and university education funds are depleted
- The family home may need to be sold quickly and below market value
- Surviving relatives provide financial assistance, straining their own finances
Term life insurance is relatively inexpensive, especially when purchased early. There’s no reason for single parents to be underinsured. We’ll look shortly at how to calculate the appropriate amount of coverage.
First, let’s examine different types of life insurance for single parents available in Canada.
Term Life Insurance for Single Parents
Term life insurance remains the most popular type of policy for single parents, accounting for 81% of coverage purchased, according to a 2021 Insurance Bureau of Canada survey.
With straight term insurance, you pay lower premiums in exchange for coverage for a specific period of time, typically 10, 20, or 30 years. The policy only pays out if you pass away during the term. If you outlive the term, coverage expires.
The major advantages of term insurance for single parents are:
Affordable Premiums
Term insurance offers the lowest cost of life insurance for single parents, often 5 to 15 times less expensive than permanent insurance for the same coverage amount.
Premiums are based primarily on your age and health at the time of application. The younger and healthier you are, the lower your rates will be.
This makes term insurance very budget-friendly, especially when purchased early in life. Single parents can secure substantial coverage for just a few dollars a day.
Customizable Policy Lengths
You can match the term length of your policy to how long you anticipate needing life insurance. A common approach is to cover your children through the completion of post-secondary education.
Here are typical term lengths to meet different needs:
| Term Length | Example Coverage Needs |
|---|---|
| 10 years | Cover until child starts school |
| 20 years | Cover until child graduates high school |
| 30 years | Cover until child completes post-secondary education |
Flexible Coverage Amounts
Term life insurance for single parents lets you select the specific amount of coverage you need versus being locked into predefined limits. This allows you to customize your policy to replace income, pay debts, cover funeral costs, and meet other financial obligations in the event of your death.
According to a 2020 LIMRA study, the average amount of coverage purchased by single parents in Canada is $273,000. However, the right amount for you depends on factors like your income, debts, number of kids, and more. We’ll look shortly at how to calculate this.
Read more : How to Save Money on Life Insurance
Guaranteed Renewability
Many term life insurances for single parents include guaranteed renewability at the end of your initial term. This allows you to extend your coverage in 5 or 10 year increments without needing additional medical underwriting. Renewal rates will be higher than your initial policy premiums due to your increased age.
Guaranteed renewability gives you flexibility to maintain life insurance well into the future. This can be useful for single parents who want lifelong coverage.
Decreasing Premiums
Some term life insurance policies offer premiums that decrease over time. Early in the term, when coverage needs are highest, premiums are at their peak. Premiums then taper off as coverage needs decline.
For example, a 20-year term policy may start with a $100 monthly premium that drops to $75 after 10 years. This can make longer terms more affordable.
Conversion Options
Many term life policies allow you to convert your coverage to a permanent life insurance policy down the road without requiring additional medical underwriting. This gives you the flexibility to extend your protection.
Conversion often makes sense once children are independent adults and coverage needs have decreased. Permanent insurance can provide smaller, lifetime coverage at that stage. We’ll explain more about permanent life insurance for single parents later on.
Accelerated Death Benefits
Most term life insurance contracts include accelerated death benefit riders. These allow early access to a portion of the death benefit (typically 50%) if diagnosed with a terminal illness where life expectancy is 12 months or less.
Accessing benefits while still living can help cover medical costs and other pressing expenses.
Disadvantages of Term Life Insurance for single parents
There are a few potential drawbacks to term life insurance for single parents:
- Requires periodic renewal if coverage is needed beyond the original term length
- Premiums increase substantially upon renewal due to age
- Does not build permanent cash value like some life insurance policies
- Coverage expires if you outlive the term length and don’t renew
Despite these limitations, term life insurance remains the top choice for the majority of life insurance for single parents requiring protection well into the future. It offers unbeatable affordability packaged with flexibility.
Permanent Life Insurance for Single Parents
Permanent or cash value life insurance is much less commonly used by single parents, accounting for only 15% of coverage purchased based on industry stats. With permanent insurance, coverage remains in effect for your entire lifetime, not just a set term, as long as you pay the premiums.
The main forms of permanent life insurance are:
Whole Life Insurance for single parents – Offers guaranteed death benefit, guaranteed level premiums, and guaranteed cash value growth. Most restrictive but predictable.
Universal Life Insurance for single parents – More flexible with adjustable death benefit and flexible premium payments tied to market interest rates.
Variable Life for single parents– Death benefit and cash value fluctuate based on the performance of investments you select. Higher risk.
Indexed Life Insurance for single parents – Returns tied to a market index like the S&P 500 but with downside protection and capped upside. Medium risk.
Here are some notable aspects of permanent life insurance for single parents:
- More Expensive – Premiums are 5-15x higher than term insurance for the same death benefit.
- Builds Cash Value – Part of your premiums go toward building tax-advantaged savings you can access via policy loans.
- Lifetime Coverage – Coverage continues forever regardless of health changes if you pay the premiums.
- Payor Benefits – Can be structured to pay out benefits if disabled to cover future premiums.
- Complex Products – Much more complicated with various moving parts requiring professional guidance.
Given the high cost, permanent life insurance for single parents makes the most sense when you:
- Have maxed out other tax-preferred savings options like RRSP and TFSA accounts
- Require very high coverage amounts well beyond what term insurance can provide
- Will depend on the cash value for supplementary retirement income
- Need benefits to age 100+, which term insurance may not cover
For the majority of middle-income families, permanent insurance is overkill. The premiums take away money that would be better spent directly caring for children versus funding cash value reserves.
Talk to an advisor specializing in high net worth insurance planning to see if permanent coverage aligns with your situation.
How Much Life Insurance Do Single Parents Need?
Determining the appropriate amount of term life insurance coverage is an extremely personal calculation based on your unique circumstances. Here are some common factors that influence how much you should purchase life insurance for single parents in Canada:
- Debts – If you pass away, you’ll want to make sure any debts like mortgages, lines of credit, car loans, and credit cards can be fully repaid so your children don’t inherit these burdens.
- Income Replacement – Your life insurance benefit should cover several years’ worth of income to allow your children time to adjust finances and potentially for the surviving parent to re-enter the workforce. Industry guidelines suggest 5-10x your gross annual income.
- Education Funding – If you want life insurance proceeds to fully fund your children’s future post-secondary education, factor in projected tuition, room and board, books, travel, and other related costs.
- Funeral Expenses – End-of-life costs like burial, cremation, services, headstones, etc., can be in the $10,000 to $15,000 range. Your policy should account for covering these non-negotiable obligations.
- Existing Assets – Life insurance needs may be lower if you have substantial retirement savings, equity in home ownership, or other assets that could be left to your children.
- Other Expenses – Think about any other unique costs that your children will incur over time which life insurance proceeds could help fund, like weddings, down payments on first homes, medical expenses, etc.
Online calculators like this one from Life Buzz Insurance can help determine a more precise life insurance amount based on your specific situation. It’s often better to err on the side of more coverage than less. The last thing you want is to leave your children underinsured.
How to get Life Insurance for Single Parents in Canada
Here is an overview of what to expect when applying for life insurance for single parents in Canada:
Choose a Policy Type
First, decide if term or permanent insurance better aligns with your needs and budget based on the insight earlier in this guide. For most single parents, straight term life insurance is the way to go.
Select a Term Length
Next, pick an appropriate term length based on how long you want coverage. Common options are 10, 20, and 30 year terms. Match this to when you anticipate your children achieving financial independence.
Determine Coverage Amount
Using the criteria above, settle on a total benefit amount that meets all known and projected financial obligations. An advisor can help ensure this is adequate.
Choose Your Beneficiaries
Name the persons who will receive your life insurance proceeds. For single parents, this is typically your child(ren). Make sure to also designate a trustee to manage any payouts to minors.
Get Quotes
With the help of an insurance advisor or online comparison tool, get premium quotes from multiple insurers. Compare rates for your desired type, term length, and coverage amount.
Select a Carrier
Choose the life insurance provider offering the most competitive pricing along with strong financial strength ratings. Apply directly or through an advisor.
Complete Medical Underwriting
You’ll need to complete medical underwriting, providing details on your health history. This may involve scheduling a paramedical exam and providing blood/urine samples.
Get Approved
It takes approximately 2 to 6 weeks for life insurance applications to be assessed. You’ll either be approved as applied for or receive a modified offer with higher premiums.
Set Up Payment
Once approved, you’ll need to arrange automatic monthly or annual premium payments from your bank account, credit card, or payroll deduction at work.
That covers the basics of securing term life insurance as a single mom or dad. The process is relatively straightforward with help from an advisor. Next, let’s look at some other options of life insurance for single parents.
How to Get Life Insurance for Single Parents with Pre-Existing Conditions
If you have a pre-existing medical condition like cancer, heart disease, diabetes, or mental illness, traditional life insurance for single parents may be difficult to qualify for, limited, or very expensive. Here are some options to explore:
No Medical Exam Insurance
Some insurers offer simplified issue life insurance with limited face amounts and no medical underwriting. This option provides basic coverage when health excludes you from medically underwritten policies.
Guaranteed Issue Insurance
With guaranteed issue life insurance, acceptance is guaranteed with no health questions asked. However, coverage amounts are usually small – around $25,000 to $30,000. Still, this ensures you have at least some basic protection.
Impaired Risk Insurance
Specialty high-risk life insurance providers cater to applicants with serious pre-existing conditions. You’ll pay higher premiums based on your risk profile, but coverage is still available.
Group Insurance Conversion
If leaving an employer, you may be eligible to convert group life insurance to a private plan without medical underwriting.
Securing Coverage Early
Make sure to lock in life insurance long before the onset of any medical problems. This guarantees insurability when risks increase later on.
Work with an independent life insurance broker who specializes in high-risk life insurance for single parents. They’ll present multiple options tailored to your health profile at the best available rates.
How Divorce Impacts Life Insurance for Single Parents
Here are some considerations of life insurance for single parents who are divorced with children:
Policy Beneficiaries – Remove your ex-spouse and name your children as beneficiaries unless mandated otherwise. Review annually.
Child Support – If financially dependent on an ex’s support payments, ask to be made an irrevocable beneficiary on their policy so you cannot be removed.
New Policies – Secure individual coverage if leaving a job to replace any lost group life insurance benefits.
Monitor Coverage – If your ex is required to maintain life insurance for child support, make sure the policy remains active.
Court Orders – Request a court order mandating your ex to keep up life insurance with you and/or children as beneficiaries if concerned.
Communicate – Proactively discuss life insurance obligations and intentions with ex-spouses to prevent unpleasant surprises later.
Consult an Expert – Talk to an advisor familiar with divorce situations to ensure life insurance transitions are handled optimally.
Update Paperwork – Change the owner, insured, and beneficiary names on policies to reflect the new circumstances.
While messy, with some care, divorcing parents can implement changes to ensure life insurance still protects their children.
Finding Affordable Life Insurance for Single Parents on a Limited Budget
If money is very tight, here are some tips to find affordable life insurance for single parents:
Leverage Group Insurance – Access employer-provided group life insurance, often up to 2x your salary. This can provide baseline protection.
Choose Term Length Strategically – Opt for a longer term, like 30 years, even if you only need 10-15 years of coverage. Premiums will be lower overall.
Pay Annually – Opt to pay premiums annually rather than monthly to benefit from discounts of up to 10% per year.
Pick Modest Increments – For example, buy $250,000 rather than $300,000 if it crosses a pricing threshold that disproportionately hikes rates.
Compare Many Quotes – Rates can vary significantly across insurers. The lowest premiums may come from less recognized brands.
Consider Decreasing Coverage – Choose a policy structured with declining coverage amounts over time to match reducing obligations.
Improve Health Habits – Boost fitness, nutrition, sleep etc. to potentially qualify for discounts on premiums.
Accept a Substandard Policy – If you have minor health issues, a rated policy may have higher premiums but still be affordable.
Waiting For More Budget – Initially, secure a small policy to lock in insurability and supplement it over time as budget allows.
Where there’s a will, there’s a way. With some savvy moves, you can secure protection from life insurance for single parents despite limited financial means.
Critical Factors That Influence Eligibility and Rates of Life Insurance for Single Parents
As a single parent, your life insurance application will be impacted by:
Age – The younger you are, the lower your premiums will be. Life insurance gets more expensive every year you wait.
Gender – Statistically, women tend to live longer than men, so coverage is cheaper for women in the same age brackets.
Health History – Past or present medical conditions will raise rates and could potentially disqualify you from coverage.
Family History – You may pay higher premiums if close blood relatives have cancer, heart disease and other serious illnesses.
Lifestyle – Habits like smoking, heavy drinking, recreational drug use, high-risk hobbies, etc., negatively impact insurability and rates.
Occupation – Hazardous jobs may reduce eligibility for preferred premiums. Higher-risk careers raise rates.
Existing Policies – Insurers will factor in any life insurance you already have when underwriting additional coverage.
Residence – Where you live impacts rates. Urban areas with more crime and pollution tend to have higher premiums.
Aim for the healthiest possible lifestyle and fully disclose all medical history to secure the most favourable offers. Work with an experienced independent agent to negotiate great rates.
Other Considerations of Life Insurance for Single Parents
Here are a few other life insurance-related factors single moms and dads in Canada should keep in mind:
Beneficiary Designations
Be very purposeful in naming beneficiaries – the parties who will receive death benefit payouts. Typically, this will be your children. Make sure to also designate a trustee to manage any funds going to minors.
Review beneficiaries whenever circumstances change, like after a divorce. Remove former partners if required unless a binding agreement stipulates otherwise.
Group vs. Individual Insurance
Group life insurance through your employer is typically 2-5x your annual salary. While inexpensive, group coverage amounts tend to be insufficient for most families. Supplement with individual policies.
Policy Ownership and Control
If having an irrevocable beneficiary, consider setting up policies under corporate ownership or assigning them to a partner to maintain control over changes.
Second-to-Die Insurance
Parents jointly insuring can access lower-cost second-to-die insurance, which only pays out when the last parent passes away.
Insurance for Paid Child Support
If financially dependent on a former spouse for child support, talk to them about assigning an irrevocable beneficiary status on their life insurance.
Review Policies Annually
Re-evaluate coverage amounts, terms, beneficiaries, and policy structures at least once per year as circumstances evolve. Life changes impact insurance needs.
Conclusion
Getting adequate life insurance is one of the most important financial steps a single parent can take to protect their children. Term life insurance for single parents tends to provide the optimal blend of affordability and flexibility for coverage durations matching your dependents’ needs.
Be sure to work with an ethical, knowledgeable advisor who will guide you through all considerations in customizing the right policy. Finding the right life insurance for single parents brings invaluable peace of mind, knowing your family will be secure even in your absence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should single parents regularly review their life insurance in Canada?
Single parents should review their life insurance annually to ensure no changes have impacted the policy or benefits and that coverage amounts are still adequate.
When can minors access life insurance proceeds in Canada?
In most provinces, minors can access life insurance proceeds at the age of majority, which ranges from 18 to 19. Until then, a trustee manages the funds.
Do single parents need a will if they have life insurance in Canada?
Single parents should still have a will detailing guardianship and asset distribution. Life insurance proceeds pass outside of probate directly to named beneficiaries.
What happens if a single parent stops paying premiums in Canada?
If premiums stop being paid, the policy can lapse, requiring reapplication if coverage is still needed. Term policies have a grace period before lapsing.
Can single parents swap beneficiaries on life insurance in Canada whenever they want?
Yes, beneficiaries can be changed at any time unless named irrevocable. Irrevocable beneficiaries require consent to be removed.
What alternative is there to life insurance for ill single parents in Canada?
Living benefits policies like critical illness or long-term care insurance provide alternative options if single parents have health issues and cannot qualify for life insurance.
How long do single parents contest a life insurance claim denial in Canada?
Single parents have 30 days after a claim denial to launch a legal challenge in Canada. In case of disputes, outside legal counsel should be engaged.
Should single moms get mortgage life insurance in Canada?
No, mortgage life insurance only pays out the mortgage balance. Single moms need more comprehensive life insurance to replace income to support the family.
Can sick single dads get life insurance in Canada?
Yes, single dads with illnesses can explore guaranteed issue life insurance, which doesn’t require medical underwriting to get basic coverage.
Do single moms require medical exams for life insurance in Canada?
Medical exams are often needed for higher coverage term life insurance for single moms. No exam options are available for more minor policies.
Can single dads find free life insurance in Canada?
Reputable life insurance is only accessible for some dads in Canada. Very minimal final expense policies have modest premiums for basic coverage.
How can save money on life insurance for single parents in Canada?
Strategies to save money include:
- Buying term insurance.
- Locking in rates young.
- Comparing many quotes.
- Choosing longer terms.
- Bundling policies.
- Take advantage of group insurance from your employer.
- Improving health habits.
- Inquiring about discounts.
What is the difference between term life and whole life insurance for single parents in Canada?
Term life covers a set period, while whole life covers life. Term is more affordable, while whole life builds cash value but costs more.
How can single parents find affordable life insurance in Canada?
Strategies include opting for group insurance, choosing longer terms, paying annually, comparing quotes, improving health, and accepting substandard policies.
What key factors determine life insurance for single parents rates in Canada?
The main factors are age, gender, health, family history, lifestyle, occupation, and residence. The younger and healthier you are, the lower your rates.
Should single parents buy life insurance for children in Canada ?
Life insurance for kids is generally unnecessary. It’s better to put money aside in savings. A small policy can fund funeral costs if needed.
How does life insurance for single parents work if there is shared custody in Canada?
With shared custody, both parents should secure coverage with the children as beneficiaries to protect their financial interests.
Aricle Sources
For a deeper look at our dedication to accuracy, transparency, and independence, please refer to the Lifebuzz.ca Editorial Policy. We take great pride in being Canada’s most trusted life insurance news source for this topic : Life Insurance for Single Parents in Canada: A Comprehensive Protection Plan 2024 :
