{"id":40725,"date":"2026-08-10T16:21:27","date_gmt":"2026-08-10T20:21:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/?p=40725"},"modified":"2026-08-10T16:21:29","modified_gmt":"2026-08-10T20:21:29","slug":"is-critical-illness-insurance-worth-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/advice-learning\/health-insurance\/is-critical-illness-insurance-worth-it","title":{"rendered":"Is Critical Illness Insurance Worth It?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-rbc-template-selector templateSelector template__article\" data-template=\"article\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group articleSingle__container tabListStickyWrapper is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group articleSingle__container__hero is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group articleSingle__container__hero__inner is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<span class=\"rbc-yoast-breadcrum-span\"><span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/personal\/\">Home<\/a><\/span><\/span>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group articleSingle__featuredImage__group is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group articleSingle__title__group is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><h1 class=\"wp-block-post-title\">Is Critical Illness Insurance Worth It?<\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group articleSingle__date__group is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-post-date\"><time datetime=\"2026-08-10T16:21:27-04:00\">August 10, 2026<\/time><\/div>\n\n\n<span class=\"wp-block-rbc-html-element articleSingle__readTime\">16 Min Read<\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group articleSingle__author__group is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/06\/Avatar.webp?quality=80&w=128\" alt=\"Keph Senett\">\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group articleSingle__author__details is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<span class=\"wp-block-rbc-html-element articleSingle__author__name\">Keph Senett<\/span>\n\n\n\n<span class=\"wp-block-rbc-html-element articleSingle__author__designation\">Keph Senett<\/span>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<figure class=\"articleSingle__featuredImage wp-block-post-featured-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/Is-Critical-Illness-Insurance-Worth-it-Writer-Keph-Senett.webp?quality=80&amp;w=1024\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" style=\"object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/Is-Critical-Illness-Insurance-Worth-it-Writer-Keph-Senett.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/Is-Critical-Illness-Insurance-Worth-it-Writer-Keph-Senett.webp?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/Is-Critical-Illness-Insurance-Worth-it-Writer-Keph-Senett.webp?resize=768,512 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group articleSingle__container__main is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group articleSingle__container__page__nav is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\t\t<div class=\"socials-block\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"socials-block-title\">\n\t\t\tShare this article\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t<div class=\"social-links mob-mar-b-hlf mob-mar-t-hlf\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"social-button-wrapper sharing-custom sharing-email\" href=\"mailto:?subject=Is Critical Illness Insurance Worth It? &#038;body=Hi, I thought you might be interested in this article from RBC Insurance: https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/advice-learning\/health-insurance\/is-critical-illness-insurance-worth-it\" aria-label=\"Email\">\n\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/plugins\/rbc-blocks\/assets\/img\/icons\/icon-email.svg\"\n\t\t\t\talt=\"envelope icon\">\n\t\t\t\t<span>\n\t\t\t\tEmail\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<div class=\"social-button-wrapper sharing-copy-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<button class=\"sharing-custom sharing-copy\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/advice-learning\/health-insurance\/is-critical-illness-insurance-worth-it\" aria-label=\"Copy URL\">\n\t\t\t<img\n\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/plugins\/rbc-blocks\/assets\/img\/icons\/icon-related.svg\"\n\t\t\t\talt=\"copy icon\">\n\t\t\t<span id=\"sharing-copyUrl-Label\">\n\t\t\t\tCopy URL\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" class=\"sharing-copy-text\" aria-labelledby=\"sharing-copyUrl-Label\">\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n  \t\t<\/div>\t\n\t\t\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rbc-tabs-list tabsList\" data-switch=\"lgBp\" data-target-heading=\"h2\"><p class=\"tabsList__heading\">On this page<\/p><div class=\"tabsList__wrapper\"><button class=\"selectDropdown__button\" aria-haspopup=\"listbox\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><span class=\"selectDropdown__title\">How does critical illness insurance work in Canada?<\/span><span class=\"selectDropdown__chevron\"><\/span><\/button><ul class=\"tabsList__items selectDropdown__list\"><li class=\"selectDropdown__list__item tabsList__item selected\"><a href=\"#h-how-does-critical-illness-insurance-work-in-canada\">How does critical illness insurance work in Canada?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"selectDropdown__list__item tabsList__item \"><a href=\"#h-the-cost-of-critical-illness-in-canada\">The cost of critical illness in Canada<\/a><\/li><li class=\"selectDropdown__list__item tabsList__item \"><a href=\"#h-what-can-i-use-a-critical-illness-insurance-payout-for\">What can I use a critical illness insurance payout for?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"selectDropdown__list__item tabsList__item \"><a href=\"#h-what-happens-if-i-never-make-a-critical-illness-insurance-claim\">What happens if I never make a critical illness insurance claim?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"selectDropdown__list__item tabsList__item \"><a href=\"#h-when-critical-illness-insurance-is-worth-it\">When critical illness insurance is worth it<\/a><\/li><li class=\"selectDropdown__list__item tabsList__item \"><a href=\"#h-when-critical-illness-insurance-may-not-be-worth-it\">When critical illness insurance may not be worth it<\/a><\/li><li class=\"selectDropdown__list__item tabsList__item \"><a href=\"#h-is-critical-illness-insurance-right-for-you\">Is critical illness insurance right for you?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group articleSingle__content__main tabListHeadings is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<section class=\"wp-block-rbc-section-block  pos-rel blog-article\" style=\"border-radius:0px\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-rbc-section-inner-block  section-inner\" style=\"border-radius:0x\">\n<p>\u201cWhat if something serious happened to me?\u201d<br><br>It\u2019s a worrisome question that many Canadians don\u2019t like to think about but often lingers in the back of their minds. After all, if you\u2019re generally healthy, it\u2019s easy to assume that a critical illness is something that happens to someone else. And even if the unexpected did happen, wouldn\u2019t your provincial or territorial health insurance plan, or workplace benefits, if you have them, cover the costs?<br><br>The reality is more complicated. Canada\u2019s health care system covers a lot of medically necessary services, but it doesn\u2019t cover everything, for example medical equipment used at home or ambulance fees. If you\u2019re diagnosed with a serious medical condition, the costs can add up fast \u2014 from prescription drugs and home care to travel for treatment. At the same time, you may need to take time off from work, cutting into your income just as the medical bills start to come in.<br><br>That&#8217;s where critical illness insurance comes in. It\u2019s a policy that can pay a tax-free, lump-sum benefit if you\u2019re diagnosed with a covered serious illness, giving you money to help cover expenses, replace lost income, or simply focus on your recovery.<br><br>But is critical illness insurance worth it? This article explores what is critical illness insurance, what it covers, and who it\u2019s designed to protect, so you can decide whether it\u2019s the right fit for you and your family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rbc-callout-card calloutCard calloutCard__article\" data-bg-hero-desktop=\"\" data-bg-hero-mobile=\"\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-key-takeaways\"><a><\/a>Key takeaways<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-rbc-list is-style-blue-disc\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-rbc-list\">\n<li class=\"wp-block-rbc-list-item\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-rbc-list is-style-blue-disc\">\n<li class=\"wp-block-rbc-list-item\">\n<p><strong>Critical illness insurance is a policy that can pay a tax-free, lump-sum benefit <\/strong>if you\u2019re diagnosed with a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/health-insurance\/critical-illness-insurance\/\"><\/a>covered serious illness or medical condition and meet the terms of your policy.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-rbc-list-item\">\n<p><strong>You decide how to use the money<\/strong> \u2014 whether it\u2019s replacing lost income, covering everyday bills, paying for medical expenses, or supporting your recovery.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-rbc-list-item\">\n<p><strong>Some policies offer an optional return of premium (ROP)<\/strong> for an extra cost, allowing you to recover some or all of the premiums you paid if you never make a claim.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-rbc-list-item\">\n<p><strong>Whether critical illness insurance is worth it depends on your finances<\/strong>, the coverage you already have, and how much financial risk you&#8217;re comfortable taking on yourself.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-does-critical-illness-insurance-work-in-canada\">How does critical illness insurance work in Canada?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/advice-learning\/health-insurance\/what-is-critical-illness-insurance\/\" data-dig-id=\"LP-HealthInsurance-40286-6cb6d6f1\" data-dig-label=\"Critical illness insurance&nbsp;\" data-dig-action=\"link click\" data-dig-category=\"LP-HealthInsurance\" class=\"rbc-link-format\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/advice-learning\/health-insurance\/what-is-critical-illness-insurance\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/advice-learning\/health-insurance\/what-is-critical-illness-insurance\/\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/health-insurance\/critical-illness-insurance\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-dig-id=\"LP-HealthInsurance-40725-d4966e5d\" data-dig-category=\"LP-HealthInsurance\" data-dig-action=\"link click\" data-dig-label=\"Critical illness insurance\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" class=\"rbc-link-format\">Critical illness insurance<\/a> is a type of insurance that can pay a tax-free, lump-sum benefit if you\u2019re diagnosed with a covered serious illness or medical condition and meet the terms of your policy. Just like with other types of insurance, you pay a monthly premium for the coverage and can make a claim in the event of a diagnosis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Typically, the process works like this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rbc-callout-card calloutCard calloutCard__article  is-style-list list\" data-bg-hero-desktop=\"\" data-bg-hero-mobile=\"\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-rbc-list is-style-blue-disc\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-rbc-list is-style-blue-disc\">\n<li class=\"wp-block-rbc-list-item\">\n<p><strong>Choose your coverage<\/strong>. Select a policy and coverage amount. An underwriter will then review your application to determine your eligibility. Once approved you\u2019ll pay regular premiums to your insurance company.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-rbc-list-item\">\n<p><strong>File a claim<\/strong>. If you\u2019re diagnosed with a covered condition \u2014 such as multiple sclerosis, heart disease, or life-threatening cancer \u2014 you may submit a claim to the insurance company.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-rbc-list-item\">\n<p><strong>Receive your benefit<\/strong>. If your claim is approved and you satisfy the policy\u2019s survival period (typically, 30 days, depending on the condition), you receive a tax-free, lump-sum payout.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Critical illness insurance is different from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/health-insurance\/disability-insurance\/\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/health-insurance\/disability-insurance\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-dig-id=\"LP-HealthInsurance-40725-6d188c86\" data-dig-category=\"LP-HealthInsurance\" data-dig-action=\"link click\" data-dig-label=\"disability\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" class=\"rbc-link-format\">disability<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/life-insurance\/\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/life-insurance\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-dig-id=\"LP-HealthInsurance-40725-ea48eb83\" data-dig-category=\"LP-HealthInsurance\" data-dig-action=\"link click\" data-dig-label=\"life insurance\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" class=\"rbc-link-format\">life insurance<\/a>. <strong>Disability insurance<\/strong> is designed to replace a portion of your income if you can\u2019t work because of a covered illness or injury, typically through weekly or monthly payments. While that can help replace lost income over time, it may not be enough to cover the larger, upfront expenses that often come with a serious diagnosis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Life insurance<\/strong> pays a tax-free benefit to your beneficiaries after you die, whereas critical illness helps you manage the financial impact of a serious diagnosis while you\u2019re alive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Learn more about <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/advice-learning\/health-insurance\/what-is-critical-illness-insurance\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/advice-learning\/health-insurance\/what-is-critical-illness-insurance\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-dig-id=\"LP-HealthInsurance-40725-b6bd9d1e\" data-dig-category=\"LP-HealthInsurance\" data-dig-action=\"link click\" data-dig-label=\"what critical illness insurance is\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" class=\"rbc-link-format\">what critical illness insurance is<\/a><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-cost-of-critical-illness-in-canada\">The cost of critical illness in Canada<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Canadians have access to universal health care, but a critical illness can come with a long list of expenses that have nothing to do with medical treatment or a hospital stay. Even if you have workplace benefits or extended health coverage, you may still face hefty bills for expenses at a time when your income may be reduced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, the Canadian Cancer Society reports that <a href=\"https:\/\/cancer.ca\/en\/about-us\/media-releases\/2024\/cancer-statistics-special-report\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/cancer.ca\/en\/about-us\/media-releases\/2024\/cancer-statistics-special-report\" target=\"_blank\" data-dig-id=\"LP-HealthInsurance-40725-439db478\" data-dig-category=\"LP-HealthInsurance\" data-dig-action=\"link click\" data-dig-label=\"cancer costs the average Canadian patient nearly $33,000\" class=\"rbc-link-format externalsite-link\" data-icon-class=\"externalsite-link\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">cancer costs the average Canadian patient nearly $33,000<\/a> in their lifetime, including out-of-pocket expenses and lost income during treatment and recovery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some of the expenses to consider include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rbc-callout-card calloutCard calloutCard__article  is-style-list list\" data-bg-hero-desktop=\"\" data-bg-hero-mobile=\"\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-rbc-list is-style-blue-disc\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-rbc-list is-style-blue-disc\">\n<li class=\"wp-block-rbc-list-item\">\n<p><strong>Loss of income<\/strong>. A serious illness doesn&#8217;t just affect your health \u2014 it can affect your wallet, too. You may need weeks (or even months) away from work to recover. &nbsp;Most people only have so many paid sick days per year, and vacation time can run out fast.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-rbc-list-item\">\n<p><strong>Travel expenses<\/strong>. Specialized care isn&#8217;t available in every community. If you live in a rural or remote area, treatment may mean paying for gas, flights, hotels, meals, or parking.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-rbc-list-item\">\n<p><strong>Home care<\/strong>. During recovery, you may need help in your home, whether that\u2019s nursing care, meals support, or in-home rehabilitation. Those services can easily cost $30 an hour or more, depending on where you live, the type of care you need, and how often or how long you need it.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-rbc-list-item\">\n<p><strong>Childcare<\/strong>. If you\u2019re a parent, you might need someone to look after your children while you\u2019re attending appointments, receiving treatment, or recovering at home. Just like with home care support, the cost will depend on your situation, as well as the age of your kids.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-rbc-list-item\">\n<p><strong>Mortgage or rent payments<\/strong>. The bills don\u2019t stop even if you need to rest. Monthly living expenses, like rent or mortgage payments, property taxes, utilities, transportation, and groceries, and other monthly bills, still need to be paid whether you\u2019re working or not.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-rbc-list-item\">\n<p><strong>Experimental treatments and prescription drugs<\/strong>. Provincial or territorial health plans generally don\u2019t cover most prescription drugs taken outside a hospital. The same goes for some rehabilitation services and other auxiliary treatments, like massage, osteopathy, physiotherapy, and acupuncture. Depending on your diagnosis, you may also consider experimental treatments or other therapies that aren&#8217;t covered by your provincial\/territorial health plan or workplace benefits, leaving you to pay some or all of the cost yourself.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-rbc-list-item\">\n<p><strong>Mental health and recovery support<\/strong>. A critical illness diagnosis can wear on your mental health as well as your physical well-being. Counselling or therapy can help you and your family navigate your new situation, but sessions are generally billed at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cma.ca\/healthcare-for-real\/what-mental-health-services-are-covered-canada\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cma.ca\/healthcare-for-real\/what-mental-health-services-are-covered-canada\" target=\"_blank\" data-dig-id=\"LP-HealthInsurance-40725-e8578b87\" data-dig-category=\"LP-HealthInsurance\" data-dig-action=\"link click\" data-dig-label=\"$125 to $225 an hour\" class=\"rbc-link-format externalsite-link\" data-icon-class=\"externalsite-link\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">$125 to $225 an hour<\/a> or more.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>None of this is meant to be alarming. It&#8217;s simply the reality that a serious illness can affect far more than your health. Understanding the potential impact can help you decide whether critical illness insurance is something that belongs in your financial plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-can-i-use-a-critical-illness-insurance-payout-for\">What can I use a critical illness insurance payout for?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Here&#8217;s something many people don&#8217;t realize about critical illness insurance: <strong>once your claim is approved, the money is yours to use however you need it most<\/strong>. Unlike disability insurance, which typically pays a weekly or monthly benefit to replace part of your income, critical illness insurance provides a tax-free, lump-sum payment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are no receipts to submit and no restrictions on how you spend the money. Whether you need help paying the bills, covering treatment costs, or simply buying yourself time to recover, the choice is yours. Here are some common ways people use the payout from critical illness insurance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Medical and treatment expenses<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>When you receive a critical illness diagnosis, the last thing you want to worry about is whether a drug, treatment, or type of care is covered. You can use your payout for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rbc-callout-card calloutCard calloutCard__article  is-style-list list\" data-bg-hero-desktop=\"\" data-bg-hero-mobile=\"\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-rbc-list is-style-blue-disc\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-rbc-list is-style-blue-disc\">\n<li class=\"wp-block-rbc-list-item\">\n<p>Prescription medications not covered by your provincial\/territorial health care plan or workplace benefits;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-rbc-list-item\">\n<p>Private nursing care, home care, or personal support workers;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-rbc-list-item\">\n<p>Alternative therapies (e.g., acupuncture or massage) or emerging experimental treatments (e.g., <a href=\"https:\/\/www.heartfoundation.org.au\/catalyst\/regenerating-the-heart\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.heartfoundation.org.au\/catalyst\/regenerating-the-heart\" target=\"_blank\" data-dig-id=\"LP-HealthInsurance-40725-3b52ce72\" data-dig-category=\"LP-HealthInsurance\" data-dig-action=\"link click\" data-dig-label=\"RNA regeneration for heart attacks\" class=\"rbc-link-format externalsite-link\" data-icon-class=\"externalsite-link\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">RNA regeneration for heart attacks<\/a>) that aren&#8217;t typically covered by your provincial or territorial health plan;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-rbc-list-item\">\n<p>Travel and accommodation if you need specialized treatment in another city, province, or country.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Replace lost income and cover living expenses<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Life doesn&#8217;t stop because you\u2019re recovering. The mortgage still needs to be paid. Groceries still need to be bought. Kids still need to get to school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For many Canadians, the biggest financial challenge isn&#8217;t the medical bills \u2014 it&#8217;s the paycheque that shrinks or stops coming altogether. This can be especially true for self-employed individuals, small business owners, or anyone without comprehensive workplace benefits. Plus, partners or family members may need to reduce their own working hours to care for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Your lump-sum payment can help ease any financial strain and help cover:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rbc-callout-card calloutCard calloutCard__article  is-style-list list\" data-bg-hero-desktop=\"\" data-bg-hero-mobile=\"\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-rbc-list is-style-blue-disc\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-rbc-list is-style-blue-disc\">\n<li class=\"wp-block-rbc-list-item\">\n<p>Rent or mortgage payments;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-rbc-list-item\">\n<p>Utilities and groceries;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-rbc-list-item\">\n<p>Childcare and school expenses;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-rbc-list-item\">\n<p>Credit card and loan payments;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-rbc-list-item\">\n<p>Car insurance and transit costs.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Additional expenses<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Then there are the expenses many people don\u2019t think about until they\u2019re dealing with them. The help you and your family might need depends on many factors including where you live, family makeup, and type of illness. Your benefit could be used to help cover everyday expenses, such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rbc-callout-card calloutCard calloutCard__article  is-style-list list\" data-bg-hero-desktop=\"\" data-bg-hero-mobile=\"\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-rbc-list is-style-blue-disc\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-rbc-list is-style-blue-disc\">\n<li class=\"wp-block-rbc-list-item\">\n<p>Hiring help at home, like a cleaner, cook, or childcare professional;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-rbc-list-item\">\n<p>Modifying your home with accessibility supports, such as shower grab bars, a hospital bed, or specialized equipment;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-rbc-list-item\">\n<p>Paying down existing debt to relieve financial pressure on your family;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-rbc-list-item\">\n<p>Taking time to make thoughtful decisions about your treatment, career, or next steps without feeling rushed by financial concerns;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-rbc-list-item\">\n<p>Help a loved one take time away from work to support your recovery.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The point is that every diagnosis is different, and so is every family&#8217;s financial situation. Having the flexibility to use the money where it\u2019s needed most can give you some breathing room, allowing you to focus on your recovery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-happens-if-i-never-make-a-critical-illness-insurance-claim\">What happens if I never make a critical illness insurance claim?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s a common question people ask: <em>What if I never get sick? Am I just throwing money away?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you never need to make a critical illness insurance claim, that\u2019s good news. It means you never experienced one of the serious medical conditions your policy was designed to protect against. Throughout that time, you had the peace of mind of knowing you had a financial safety net if something unexpected happened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That said, some people like the idea of getting back some money if they never make a claim. Some critical illness insurance policies offer a return of premium (ROP) option, where you can get back some or all of the premiums you\u2019ve paid if certain conditions are met.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">About return of premium<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Depending on your policy, you may be eligible for a ROP in a few different situations:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rbc-callout-card calloutCard calloutCard__article  is-style-list list\" data-bg-hero-desktop=\"\" data-bg-hero-mobile=\"\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-rbc-list is-style-blue-disc\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-rbc-list is-style-blue-disc\">\n<li class=\"wp-block-rbc-list-item\">\n<p><strong>Your policy ends without a claim. <\/strong>If you never make a claim during your policy\u2019s term, you may be eligible to get back some or all of your premiums.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-rbc-list-item\">\n<p><strong>You cancel your policy<\/strong>. Some policies allow you to receive a ROP if you cancel your policy after a certain time (e.g., 15 years).<\/p>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-rbc-list-item\">\n<p><strong>Death<\/strong>. If you pass away without ever making a claim, your beneficiaries may receive a refund of eligible premiums.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Return of premium isn\u2019t available with every policy, and eligibility rules vary by product and insurer. If this feature is important to you, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/request-a-call\/health-insurance\/index.html\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/request-a-call\/health-insurance\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" data-dig-id=\"LP-HealthInsurance-40725-a493a115\" data-dig-category=\"LP-HealthInsurance\" data-dig-action=\"link click\" data-dig-label=\"speak to a licensed RBC Insurance advisor\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" class=\"rbc-link-format\">speak to a licensed RBC Insurance advisor<\/a> to understand how it works.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Is critical illness insurance still worth it without the return of premium option?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Whether a ROP option is worth it ultimately comes down to what you value most. Some people prefer to pay higher premiums to receive some of their money back if they never make a claim. Others would rather keep their premiums lower and forgo the ROP option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The difference is that critical illness insurance policies without a ROP option are typically more affordable, while still providing the same financial protection if you need to make a claim. In other words, you&#8217;re not giving up the core benefit of the coverage. You\u2019re simply choosing a different pricing option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Think of it like car insurance. Most people don&#8217;t regret paying for coverage, even if they never file a claim. The value isn\u2019t in using the insurance \u2014 it&#8217;s in knowing it\u2019s there if you need it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The same idea applies to critical illness insurance. It&#8217;s there to help protect you financially if the unexpected happens.And while no one likes to think about it, serious illnesses are more common than many people realize.Yet <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/advice-learning\/newsroom\/whats-the-plan-when-life-happens-most-canadians-dont-have-one-rbc-insurance-poll\/\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/advice-learning\/newsroom\/whats-the-plan-when-life-happens-most-canadians-dont-have-one-rbc-insurance-poll\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-dig-id=\"LP-HealthInsurance-40725-24b54c9d\" data-dig-category=\"LP-HealthInsurance\" data-dig-action=\"link click\" data-dig-label=\"nearly 30 per cent of Canadians\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" class=\"rbc-link-format\">nearly 30 per cent of Canadians<\/a> say their savings would run out within six months after a major health setback.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The numbers tell the story. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.heartandstroke.ca\/articles\/connected-by-the-numbers\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.heartandstroke.ca\/articles\/connected-by-the-numbers\" target=\"_blank\" data-dig-id=\"LP-HealthInsurance-40725-deff705b\" data-dig-category=\"LP-HealthInsurance\" data-dig-action=\"link click\" data-dig-label=\"Nine in 10 Canadians have at least one risk factor for heart conditions\" class=\"rbc-link-format externalsite-link\" data-icon-class=\"externalsite-link\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Nine in 10 Canadians have at least one risk factor for heart conditions<\/a>, stroke or vascular cognitive impairment, and <a href=\"https:\/\/cancer.ca\/en\/research\/cancer-statistics\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/cancer.ca\/en\/research\/cancer-statistics\" target=\"_blank\" data-dig-id=\"LP-HealthInsurance-40725-dbe7978b\" data-dig-category=\"LP-HealthInsurance\" data-dig-action=\"link click\" data-dig-label=\"two in five Canadians are expected to be diagnosed with cancer\" class=\"rbc-link-format externalsite-link\" data-icon-class=\"externalsite-link\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">two in five Canadians are expected to be diagnosed with cancer<\/a> in their lifetime. If you want to be prepared, critical illness insurance can help \u2014 with or without return of premium.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-when-critical-illness-insurance-is-worth-it\">When critical illness insurance is worth it<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Everyone can <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/advice-learning\/health-insurance\/when-should-you-buy-critical-illness-insurance\/\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/advice-learning\/health-insurance\/when-should-you-buy-critical-illness-insurance\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-dig-id=\"LP-HealthInsurance-40725-90c0cff0\" data-dig-category=\"LP-HealthInsurance\" data-dig-action=\"link click\" data-dig-label=\"benefit from having critical illness insurance\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" class=\"rbc-link-format\">benefit from having critical illness insurance<\/a> coverage, particularly if you:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rbc-callout-card calloutCard calloutCard__article  is-style-list list\" data-bg-hero-desktop=\"\" data-bg-hero-mobile=\"\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-rbc-list is-style-blue-disc\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-rbc-list is-style-blue-disc\">\n<li class=\"wp-block-rbc-list-item\">\n<p><strong>Own a business or are self-employed. <\/strong>Without employer benefits,you may have fewer financial supports to rely on if you\u2019re unable to work.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-rbc-list-item\">\n<p><strong>Have children or people who depend on your income. <\/strong>&nbsp;A lump-sum benefit can help keep the household running while you recover.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-rbc-list-item\">\n<p><strong>Have a family history of conditions like cancer, heart disease, or other covered conditions. <\/strong>&nbsp;While family history doesn\u2019t guarantee you&#8217;ll develop a serious illness, it may prompt you to think more carefully about protecting your finances.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-rbc-list-item\">\n<p><strong>Are young and healthy. <\/strong>Buying coverage earlier in life may help you qualify for lower premiums while you&#8217;re in good health.Your specific premium will vary depending on factors like age, health status, and other elements.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-rbc-list-item\">\n<p><strong>Have a mortgage or significant financial obligations.<\/strong> If losing your income would make it difficult to keep up with monthly expenses, critical illness insurance can provide an added layer of financial protection.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-rbc-list-item\">\n<p><strong>Have employer benefits with coverage gaps. <\/strong>Even if you have insurance through work, it may not fully cover lost income or all of your out-of-pocket expenses following a serious illness.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-rbc-list-item\">\n<p><strong>Have significant assets or estate planning goals. <\/strong>Depending on your circumstances, a larger lump-sum benefit may help preserve your wealth or provide greater financial flexibility during recovery.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-when-critical-illness-insurance-may-not-be-worth-it\">When critical illness insurance may not be worth it<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Critical illness insurance isn&#8217;t a necessity for everyone. It may be less of a priority if you:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rbc-callout-card calloutCard calloutCard__article  is-style-list list\" data-bg-hero-desktop=\"\" data-bg-hero-mobile=\"\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-rbc-list is-style-blue-disc\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-rbc-list is-style-blue-disc\">\n<li class=\"wp-block-rbc-list-item\">\n<p><strong>Already have a strong financial safety net.<\/strong> If you have a substantial emergency fund or other savings, you might not need additional coverage.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-rbc-list-item\">\n<p><strong>Already have comprehensive insurance coverage<\/strong>.&nbsp; If your workplace benefits provide generous disability coverage and extended health benefits, you may already have enough financial protection.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-rbc-list-item\">\n<p><strong>Have few financial obligations<\/strong>. If you have little debt, low monthly expenses, and could comfortably manage a temporary loss of income, critical illness insurance may not be necessary.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-rbc-list-item\">\n<p><strong>Don\u2019t have dependents<\/strong>. If no one relies on your income, the financial hit of a serious illness may be easier to manage.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-rbc-list-item\">\n<p><strong>Have other financial priorities<\/strong>. If you don\u2019t have room in your budget to pay for insurance premiums, it may make more sense to focus on building an emergency fund, paying down high-interest debt, or securing essential insurance before adding critical illness coverage.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-is-critical-illness-insurance-right-for-you\">Is critical illness insurance right for you?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Whether critical illness insurance is right for you depends on one simple question: If you were diagnosed with a serious illness tomorrow, how would you pay the bills?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you already have robust savings, workplace benefits, or enough financial flexibility to weather months away from work, you may decide you don\u2019t need additional coverage. But if a prolonged loss of income or unexpected expenses would put pressure on your finances, critical illness insurance may be worth considering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At the end of the day, this isn\u2019t about expecting the worst. It\u2019s about giving you and your family more options if life doesn&#8217;t go according to plan. The right policy won&#8217;t prevent a serious illness, but it can help protect your savings, your family&#8217;s finances, and the freedom to focus on getting better instead of worrying about money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And if one of your biggest concerns is paying for coverage you never use, remember that some policies offer a return of premium option. If you never make a claim and meet the policy&#8217;s terms, you may be eligible to recover some or all of the premiums you paid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Still unsure? Use our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/health-insurance\/critical-illness-insurance-calculator.html\" target=\"_blank\" data-dig-id=\"LP-HealthInsurance-40725-f92c2f99\" data-dig-category=\"LP-HealthInsurance\" data-dig-action=\"link click\" data-dig-label=\"critical illness insurance calculator \" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" class=\"rbc-link-format\">critical illness insurance calculator<\/a> to estimate how much critical illness insurance you might need and how it might fit into your budget. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/request-a-call\/personal-insurance\/contact-us\/index.html\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/request-a-call\/personal-insurance\/contact-us\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" data-dig-id=\"LP-HealthInsurance-40725-ee767726\" data-dig-label=\"A licensed RBC Insurance advisor\" data-dig-action=\"link click\" data-dig-category=\"LP-HealthInsurance\" class=\"rbc-link-format\">A licensed RBC Insurance advisor<\/a> can help you review the coverage you already have, spot any gaps, and decide whether critical illness insurance makes sense for your situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>No one can predict the future. But you can decide how prepared you want to be for it.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-rbc-section-block  pos-rel\" style=\"border-radius:0px\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-rbc-section-inner-block  section-inner\" style=\"border-radius:0x\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-rbc-section-inner-block  section-inner block-wpr bg-light-blue rounded-corners pos-rel pad-l pad-r mob-pad-r centered-block mob-pad-l pad-t mob-pad-t pad-b mob-pad-b section-ads\" style=\"border-radius:0x\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center mar-t mar-b-hlf mob-mar-b-hlf mob-mar-t\" id=\"h-rbc-critical-illness-insurance\">RBC Critical Illness Insurance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center mar-b-hlf mob-mar-b-hlf pad-r mob-pad-r pad-l mob-pad-l has-text-reg-font-size\">Protect yourself and your loved ones with critical illness insurance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-a89b3969 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\"><div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-button aligncenter btn is-style-primary primary\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-text-lg-font-size has-custom-font-size wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/health-insurance\/critical-illness-insurance\/\" data-dig-id=\"LP-32972-476a44f4\" data-dig-category=\"LP\" data-dig-action=\"button click\" data-dig-label=\"Learn More-https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/health-insurance\/critical-illness-insurance\/ \">Learn More<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:19px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rbc-rbc-default-collapsible\"><p><button class=\"collapse-toggle collapsed\" data-target=\"#collapse2de7ba0a\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"collapse2de7ba0a\" data-dig-id=\"LP-HealthInsurance-40725-2de7ba0a\" data-dig-category=\"LP-HealthInsurance\" data-dig-action=\"accordion closed\" action-closed=\"accordion closed\" action-opened=\"accordion open\" data-dig-label=\"Things Our Lawyers Want You to Know\"><div>Things Our Lawyers Want You to Know<\/div><\/button><\/p><div class=\"collapse-content collapse\" id=\"collapse2de7ba0a\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-rbc-collapsible-inner-block collapse-inner\">\n<p class=\"has-text-sm-font-size\">*Home and auto insurance products are distributed by RBC Insurance Agency Ltd. and underwritten by Aviva General Insurance Company. In Quebec, RBC Insurance Agency Ltd. Is registered as a damage insurance agency. As a result of government-run auto insurance plans, auto insurance is not available through RBC Insurance in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and British Columbia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-sm-font-size\">This article is intended as general information only and is not to be relied upon as constituting legal, financial or other professional advice. A professional advisor should be consulted regarding your specific situation. Information presented is believed to be factual and up-to-date but we do not guarantee its accuracy and it should not be regarded as a complete analysis of the subjects discussed. All expressions of opinion reflect the judgment of the authors as of the date of publication and are subject to change. No endorsement of any third parties or their advice, opinions, information, products or services is expressly given or implied by Royal Bank of Canada or any of its affiliates.<br><br>Statistics cited in this material are for informational and educational purposes only and are sourced from third-party research. They are not intended to&nbsp;represent&nbsp;the scope of coverage provided under RBC Insurance&#8217;s critical illness insurance products. Please refer to the policy for a complete list of covered conditions, definitions, and eligibility requirements, or speak to your insurance advisor.&nbsp; <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:31px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Explore how critical illness insurance works in Canada. Learn what it covers, how payouts work, and if it&#8217;s the right fit for your financial plan.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":222,"featured_media":40727,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"templates\/new-rbci-design.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[46],"tags":[9],"article-type":[80],"ppma_author":[207],"class_list":{"0":"post-40725","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-health-insurance","8":"tag-health-insurance","9":"article-type-advice-learning"},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v28.0 (Yoast SEO v28.0) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Is Critical Illness Insurance Worth It? | RBC Insurance<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Explore how critical illness insurance works in Canada. Learn what it covers, how payouts work, and if it&#039;s the right fit for your financial plan.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/advice-learning\/health-insurance\/is-critical-illness-insurance-worth-it\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Is Critical Illness Insurance Worth It? | RBC Insurance\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Explore how critical illness insurance works in Canada. Learn what it covers, how payouts work, and if it&#039;s the right fit for your financial plan.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/advice-learning\/health-insurance\/is-critical-illness-insurance-worth-it\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"RBC Insurance\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-08-10T20:21:27+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-08-10T20:21:29+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/Is-Critical-Illness-Insurance-Worth-it-Writer-Keph-Senett.webp\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1024\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"683\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/webp\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Keph Senett\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"emilee.corry@rbc.com\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"27 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rbcinsurance.com\\\/en-ca\\\/advice-learning\\\/health-insurance\\\/is-critical-illness-insurance-worth-it\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rbcinsurance.com\\\/en-ca\\\/advice-learning\\\/health-insurance\\\/is-critical-illness-insurance-worth-it\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"emilee.corry@rbc.com\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rbcinsurance.com\\\/en-ca\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/733273966cf51cd56c194cf6e3de1b54\"},\"headline\":\"Is Critical Illness Insurance Worth It?\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-08-10T20:21:27+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-08-10T20:21:29+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rbcinsurance.com\\\/en-ca\\\/advice-learning\\\/health-insurance\\\/is-critical-illness-insurance-worth-it\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":3138,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rbcinsurance.com\\\/en-ca\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rbcinsurance.com\\\/en-ca\\\/advice-learning\\\/health-insurance\\\/is-critical-illness-insurance-worth-it\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rbcinsurance.com\\\/en-ca\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/2\\\/2026\\\/08\\\/Is-Critical-Illness-Insurance-Worth-it-Writer-Keph-Senett.webp\",\"keywords\":[\"Health Insurance\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Health Insurance\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rbcinsurance.com\\\/en-ca\\\/advice-learning\\\/health-insurance\\\/is-critical-illness-insurance-worth-it\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rbcinsurance.com\\\/en-ca\\\/advice-learning\\\/health-insurance\\\/is-critical-illness-insurance-worth-it\\\/\",\"name\":\"Is Critical Illness Insurance Worth It? | RBC Insurance\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rbcinsurance.com\\\/en-ca\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rbcinsurance.com\\\/en-ca\\\/advice-learning\\\/health-insurance\\\/is-critical-illness-insurance-worth-it\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rbcinsurance.com\\\/en-ca\\\/advice-learning\\\/health-insurance\\\/is-critical-illness-insurance-worth-it\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rbcinsurance.com\\\/en-ca\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/2\\\/2026\\\/08\\\/Is-Critical-Illness-Insurance-Worth-it-Writer-Keph-Senett.webp\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-08-10T20:21:27+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-08-10T20:21:29+00:00\",\"description\":\"Explore how critical illness insurance works in Canada. Learn what it covers, how payouts work, and if it's the right fit for your financial plan.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rbcinsurance.com\\\/en-ca\\\/advice-learning\\\/health-insurance\\\/is-critical-illness-insurance-worth-it\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rbcinsurance.com\\\/en-ca\\\/advice-learning\\\/health-insurance\\\/is-critical-illness-insurance-worth-it\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rbcinsurance.com\\\/en-ca\\\/advice-learning\\\/health-insurance\\\/is-critical-illness-insurance-worth-it\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rbcinsurance.com\\\/en-ca\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/2\\\/2026\\\/08\\\/Is-Critical-Illness-Insurance-Worth-it-Writer-Keph-Senett.webp\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rbcinsurance.com\\\/en-ca\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/2\\\/2026\\\/08\\\/Is-Critical-Illness-Insurance-Worth-it-Writer-Keph-Senett.webp\",\"width\":1024,\"height\":683},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rbcinsurance.com\\\/en-ca\\\/advice-learning\\\/health-insurance\\\/is-critical-illness-insurance-worth-it\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rbcinsurance.com\\\/en-ca\\\/personal\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Advice &amp; Learning\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rbcinsurance.com\\\/en-ca\\\/article-type\\\/advice-learning\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"Is Critical Illness Insurance Worth It?\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rbcinsurance.com\\\/en-ca\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rbcinsurance.com\\\/en-ca\\\/\",\"name\":\"RBC Insurance\",\"description\":\"Personal Insurance\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rbcinsurance.com\\\/en-ca\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rbcinsurance.com\\\/en-ca\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rbcinsurance.com\\\/en-ca\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"RBC Insurance\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rbcinsurance.com\\\/en-ca\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rbcinsurance.com\\\/en-ca\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rbcinsurance.com\\\/en-ca\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/2\\\/2021\\\/06\\\/rbc-logo-shield.svg?quality=80&w=1024\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rbcinsurance.com\\\/en-ca\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/2\\\/2021\\\/06\\\/rbc-logo-shield.svg?quality=80&w=1024\",\"width\":\"1024\",\"height\":\"1024\",\"caption\":\"RBC Insurance\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rbcinsurance.com\\\/en-ca\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"},\"description\":\"RBC Insurance offers personal insurance such as car, home, life, health, travel and creditor insurance, plus retirement investment solutions to Canadians.\",\"telephone\":\"1-800-769-2568\",\"legalName\":\"RBC Insurance Services Inc.\",\"numberOfEmployees\":{\"@type\":\"QuantitativeValue\",\"minValue\":\"1001\",\"maxValue\":\"5000\"}},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rbcinsurance.com\\\/en-ca\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/733273966cf51cd56c194cf6e3de1b54\",\"name\":\"emilee.corry@rbc.com\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rbcinsurance.com\\\/en-ca\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/2\\\/2021\\\/06\\\/Avatar.webp?quality=80&w=1285311091e249d85a89a1c2139527829f8\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rbcinsurance.com\\\/en-ca\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/2\\\/2021\\\/06\\\/Avatar.webp?quality=80&w=128\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rbcinsurance.com\\\/en-ca\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/2\\\/2021\\\/06\\\/Avatar.webp?quality=80&w=128\",\"caption\":\"emilee.corry@rbc.com\"}}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Is Critical Illness Insurance Worth It? | RBC Insurance","description":"Explore how critical illness insurance works in Canada. Learn what it covers, how payouts work, and if it's the right fit for your financial plan.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/advice-learning\/health-insurance\/is-critical-illness-insurance-worth-it\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Is Critical Illness Insurance Worth It? | RBC Insurance","og_description":"Explore how critical illness insurance works in Canada. Learn what it covers, how payouts work, and if it's the right fit for your financial plan.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/advice-learning\/health-insurance\/is-critical-illness-insurance-worth-it\/","og_site_name":"RBC Insurance","article_published_time":"2026-08-10T20:21:27+00:00","article_modified_time":"2026-08-10T20:21:29+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1024,"height":683,"url":"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/Is-Critical-Illness-Insurance-Worth-it-Writer-Keph-Senett.webp","type":"image\/webp"}],"author":"Keph Senett","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"emilee.corry@rbc.com","Est. reading time":"27 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/advice-learning\/health-insurance\/is-critical-illness-insurance-worth-it\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/advice-learning\/health-insurance\/is-critical-illness-insurance-worth-it\/"},"author":{"name":"emilee.corry@rbc.com","@id":"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/#\/schema\/person\/733273966cf51cd56c194cf6e3de1b54"},"headline":"Is Critical Illness Insurance Worth It?","datePublished":"2026-08-10T20:21:27+00:00","dateModified":"2026-08-10T20:21:29+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/advice-learning\/health-insurance\/is-critical-illness-insurance-worth-it\/"},"wordCount":3138,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/advice-learning\/health-insurance\/is-critical-illness-insurance-worth-it\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/Is-Critical-Illness-Insurance-Worth-it-Writer-Keph-Senett.webp","keywords":["Health Insurance"],"articleSection":["Health Insurance"],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/advice-learning\/health-insurance\/is-critical-illness-insurance-worth-it\/","url":"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/advice-learning\/health-insurance\/is-critical-illness-insurance-worth-it\/","name":"Is Critical Illness Insurance Worth It? | RBC Insurance","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/advice-learning\/health-insurance\/is-critical-illness-insurance-worth-it\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/advice-learning\/health-insurance\/is-critical-illness-insurance-worth-it\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/Is-Critical-Illness-Insurance-Worth-it-Writer-Keph-Senett.webp","datePublished":"2026-08-10T20:21:27+00:00","dateModified":"2026-08-10T20:21:29+00:00","description":"Explore how critical illness insurance works in Canada. Learn what it covers, how payouts work, and if it's the right fit for your financial plan.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/advice-learning\/health-insurance\/is-critical-illness-insurance-worth-it\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/advice-learning\/health-insurance\/is-critical-illness-insurance-worth-it\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/advice-learning\/health-insurance\/is-critical-illness-insurance-worth-it\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/Is-Critical-Illness-Insurance-Worth-it-Writer-Keph-Senett.webp","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/Is-Critical-Illness-Insurance-Worth-it-Writer-Keph-Senett.webp","width":1024,"height":683},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/advice-learning\/health-insurance\/is-critical-illness-insurance-worth-it\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/personal\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Advice &amp; Learning","item":"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/article-type\/advice-learning\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Is Critical Illness Insurance Worth It?"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/","name":"RBC Insurance","description":"Personal Insurance","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/#organization","name":"RBC Insurance","url":"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/06\/rbc-logo-shield.svg?quality=80&w=1024","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/06\/rbc-logo-shield.svg?quality=80&w=1024","width":"1024","height":"1024","caption":"RBC Insurance"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"description":"RBC Insurance offers personal insurance such as car, home, life, health, travel and creditor insurance, plus retirement investment solutions to Canadians.","telephone":"1-800-769-2568","legalName":"RBC Insurance Services Inc.","numberOfEmployees":{"@type":"QuantitativeValue","minValue":"1001","maxValue":"5000"}},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/#\/schema\/person\/733273966cf51cd56c194cf6e3de1b54","name":"emilee.corry@rbc.com","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/06\/Avatar.webp?quality=80&w=1285311091e249d85a89a1c2139527829f8","url":"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/06\/Avatar.webp?quality=80&w=128","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/06\/Avatar.webp?quality=80&w=128","caption":"emilee.corry@rbc.com"}}]}},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/Is-Critical-Illness-Insurance-Worth-it-Writer-Keph-Senett.webp","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"authors":[{"term_id":207,"user_id":0,"is_guest":1,"slug":"keph-senett","display_name":"Keph Senett","avatar_url":{"url":"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/06\/Avatar.webp?quality=80&w=128","url2x":"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/06\/Avatar.webp?quality=80&w=128"},"author_category":"1","first_name":"Keph","last_name":"Senett","user_url":"","job_title":"","description":""}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40725","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/222"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=40725"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40725\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":40765,"href":"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40725\/revisions\/40765"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/40727"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=40725"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=40725"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=40725"},{"taxonomy":"article-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/article-type?post=40725"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rbcinsurance.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ppma_author?post=40725"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}