Applying for life insurance can feel like an interrogation. You are asked about your weight, your family history of heart disease, that time you went skydiving, and even your smoking habits. It can be tempting to "gloss over" the details to get a cheaper rate.
The Golden Rule
Never lie on an insurance application. If you pass away and the insurance company discovers you withheld information (non-disclosure), they can legally deny the claim, leaving your beneficiaries with nothing.
What Do They Ask?
In Canada, insurers are assessing "risk." They want to know the statistical likelihood of a claim being made. Common areas of questioning include:
- Medical History: Personal illnesses, surgeries, and medications.
- Family History: Hereditary conditions in parents or siblings.
- Lifestyle: Smoking (tobacco and cannabis), alcohol consumption, and dangerous hobbies like rock climbing.
- Travel: Recent or planned travel to high-risk regions.
"But I have a pre-existing condition..."
Many people lie because they fear being rejected. However, having a condition doesn't automatically disqualify you. It might mean a slightly higher premium ("rated" policy), but that policy is valid and enforceable.
If you have serious health issues, there are specific products called "Simplified Issue" or "Guaranteed Issue" life insurance that require no medical exam. As a broker, I can help navigate you toward these if standard insurance isn't an option.
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