(EN) 
Canada - ENPersonal Insurance > Health Insurance >
Help protect your lifestyle and recover from a serious illness
Critical illness insurance can give you financial security and valuable support services to help cope during a challenging time.
Critical illness insurance
Benefits of critical illness insurance
Types of critical illness insurance
Critical illness insurance
Most popular
Critical Illness Recovery Plan™
Protect yourself financially against over 30 illnesses and conditions. For substantial financial protection against over 30 serious illnesses and conditions1, choose our comprehensive Critical Illness Recovery Plan™.
Ideal if you
Need a substantial coverage amount
Want coverage for a wide range of illnesses and conditions
Are age 18-65
Highlights
Lump-Sum Benefit: $25,000 to $2 million
Comprehensive: Coverage for over 30 serious illnesses and conditions1
Long-Term Care Conversion Benefit: From age 55 to 65, you can convert all or some of your coverage to long-term care insurance without proof of insurability
Convert term to permanent insurance without medical proof until age 71
Assistance Services: Teladoc Health, “The Healing Journey” program and early assistance benefit
This plan includes a unique combination of assistance services that can help you and your family better cope with the emotional stress and challenges of a critical illness:
- Teladoc Medical Experts+. Offers access to health care resources, specialists and world renowned experts who will review your medical records to confirm your diagnosis.
- “The Healing Journey” Program: Receive support to help deal with the stress associated with a critical illness.
- Early Assistance Benefit: Without reducing your critical illness benefit for future claims, you can receive 10% of your benefit (to a maximum of $50,000 and payable only once) if you are diagnosed with and satisfy the survival period for early prostate, breast or skin cancer or coronary angioplasty.
Who can apply?
Canadian citizens
Permanent residents/landed immigrants who have been in Canada over 12 months
Have not been diagnosed with or treated for certain medical conditions
Provides a lump-sum benefit if you are diagnosed with any of the following critical illnesses or conditions and satisfy the survival period, as defined in the policy:
- Aortic Surgery
- Aplastic Anemia
- Bacterial Meningitis
- Benign Brain Tumour
- Blindness
- Cancer (Life Threatening)
- Coma
- Coronary Angioplasty
- Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery
- Deafness
- Dementia including Alzheimer’s Disease
- Early Breast Cancer
- Early Prostate Cancer
- Early Skin Cancer
- Early Stage Blood Cancer
- Early Stage Intestinal Cancer
- Early Thyroid Cancer
- Heart Attack
- Heart Valve Replacement or Repair
- Kidney Failure
- Loss of Independent Existence
- Loss of Limbs
- Loss of Speech
- Major Organ Failure on Waiting List
- Major Organ Transplant
- Motor Neuron Disease
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Occupational HIV Infection
- Paralysis
- Parkinson’s Disease and Specified Atypical Parkinsonian Disorders
- Severe Burns
- Stroke
- Scheduled Increase Benefit: On every second policy anniversary, your benefit amount increases by 20% of the original amount, for 10 years.
- Disability Waiver of Premium Benefit: After you have been disabled (as defined by the policy) for 90 consecutive days, RBC Insurance will pay the premiums that come due while you are disabled. We also refund the premiums paid during those first 90 days.
- Return of Premium on Death: If you die while the policy is in force, we will refund all of the premiums you have paid.
This is the number of days you must survive, following the diagnosis of a covered critical illness, before a benefit is payable. The minimum survival period for most covered conditions is 30 days, although some covered conditions require a longer period before benefits are payable.
Once the policy is in effect (or reinstated) there is no coverage if you are diagnosed with cancer during the first 90 days. A diagnosis of cancer must be made 91 days or more after the effective date to be covered under the policy.
No benefit will be paid (including any riders), nor will premiums be refunded for any critical illness, death or other loss that results directly or indirectly, from any of the following:
- Self-inflicted injury, attempted suicide or suicide
- Intentional use of any drug, intoxicant, narcotic or poisonous substance4
- Participation in war (whether such war is declared or undeclared) or hostile action of the armed forces of any country, insurrection or civil commotion
- Attempt to commit or commission a crime, whether charged or not
- Operation of any land, water or air conveyance which is moved or operated by any means other than muscular power, while the insured’s concentration of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood exceeds 80 milligrams or while the insured is under the influence of any drug, intoxicant, narcotic or poisonous substance
About your premiums
Level premiums to age 75 (non-cancellable): Plan benefits or premiums can’t be changed from those stated in the policy.
Level premiums to age 65 or 75 (guaranteed renewable): Plan benefits can’t be changed, but premiums may be subject to change.
10-year term renewable to age 75: Premiums are scheduled to change every 10 years.
A non-cancellable plan means that as long as your premiums are paid, we cannot change the provisions or premiums, or cancel the policy.
A guaranteed renewable plan means that as long as your premiums are paid, we cannot cancel the policy. At our discretion, we may change future renewal premiums. However, we cannot change the premium unless we do so for an entire group of policyholders sharing similar characteristics.
Critical illness insurance
Critical Illness Insurance Plan
Protect yourself financially against the most common illnesses. Together, cancer, heart attack and stroke make up 89% of all critical illness claims.5 For financial protection against these common illnesses2, choose our most affordable coverage.
Ideal if you
Need budget-friendly coverage
Want coverage for the most common illnesses only
Are age 18-50
Highlights
Lump-Sum Benefit: $10,000, $25,000, $50,000 or $75,000
Affordable Coverage: For the three most common critical illnesses1 —cancer6, heart attack and stroke
Optional Benefit: The Return of Premium on Death Benefit refunds all premiums paid if you pass away while the policy is in force
Assistance Services: Teladoc Medical Experts+, Medical Confidence™ service7, “The Healing Journey” program and early assistance benefit
This plan includes a unique combination of assistance services that can help you and your family better cope with the emotional stress and challenges of a critical illness:
- Teladoc Medical Experts+ Service. Offers access to health care resources, specialists and world renowned experts who will review your medical records to confirm your diagnosis.
- Medical Confidence™ Service: Receive faster access to care and treatment by appropriate physician specialists, a more accurate diagnosis, one-on-one support from a Registered Nurse and more.
- “The Healing Journey” Program: Receive support to help deal with the stress associated with a critical illness.
- Early Assistance Benefit: Without reducing your benefit for future claims, you can receive 10% of your benefit (to a maximum of $50,000 and payable only once) if you are diagnosed with and satisfy the survival period for Early Prostate Cancer, Early Breast Cancer, Early Skin Cancer, Early Stage Blood Cancer, Early Stage Intestinal Cancer, Early Thyroid Cancer, or Coronary Angioplasty.
Who can apply?
Canadian citizens
Permanent residents/landed immigrants who have been in Canada over 12 months
Have not been diagnosed with or treated for certain medical conditions
Provides a lump-sum benefit if you are diagnosed with any of the following covered critical illnesses or conditions and satisfy the survival period, as defined in the policy:
- Cancer6
- Heart attack
- Stroke
This is the number of days you must survive, following the diagnosis of a covered critical illness, before a benefit is payable. The minimum survival period for all covered conditions under this plan is 30 days.
Once the policy is in effect (or reinstated) there is no coverage if you are diagnosed with cancer during the first 90 days. A diagnosis of cancer must be made 91 days or more after the effective date to be covered under the policy.
No benefit will be paid (including any riders), nor will premiums be refunded for any critical illness, death or other loss that results directly or indirectly, from any of the following:
- Self-inflicted injury, attempted suicide or suicide
- Intentional use of any drug, intoxicant, narcotic or poisonous substance4
- Participation in war (whether such war is declared or undeclared) or hostile action of the armed forces of any country, insurrection or civil commotion
- Attempt to commit or commission a crime, whether charged or not
About your premiums
10-year term policy, renewable to age 65
Premiums are scheduled to change every 10 years
Plan benefits can’t be changed, but premiums may be subject to change (we cannot change the premium unless we do so for an entire group of policyholders sharing similar characteristics)
Tools to get the most out of your coverage
Critical illness insurance calculator
Estimate how much critical illness insurance coverage you might need to protect yourself.
Compare critical illness insurance plans
There’s a plan to suit your unique situation and needs—let’s help you find it.
Frequently asked questions
Still have questions? Contact us.
General insurance
Critical illness insurance pays a lump-sum benefit that you can use any way you wish when you are diagnosed with a covered critical illness and satisfy the survival period, as defined in the policy.
In addition, our critical illness insurance provides a range of additional benefits and assistance services to help you and your family find the best medical care, meet every day needs and cope with the stresses of a critical illness.
Applying for coverage
To apply:
Possibly, yes. Depending on your age, the plan you choose, and the coverage amount you are applying for, you may need to complete a telephone interview and medical exams, as well as provide certain medical documentation.
Eligibility
You are eligible to apply if you:
- Are age 18-65 (for the Critical Illness Recovery Plan) or age 18-50 (for the Critical Illness Insurance Plan)
- Are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident/landed immigrant who has been in Canada for more than 12 months, and
- Have not been diagnosed with or treated for certain medical conditions
Coverage details
The plan you choose determines the critical illnesses and conditions that are covered.
- Critical Illness Insurance Plan provides coverage for the three most common critical illnesses1—cancer2, heart attack and stroke.
- Critical Illness Recovery Plan provides coverage for over 30 serious illnesses and conditions1.
The survival period is the number of days you must survive, following the diagnosis of a covered critical illness, before a benefit is payable. The minimum survival period for most covered conditions is 30 days, although some covered conditions require a longer period before benefits are payable. For complete details, please see a sample policy.
There can be a difference in the number of days that need to pass before a person is considered to be “critically ill” according to the definition in the policy. For example, in the case of coma, you must have been in a state of uninterrupted unconsciousness for at least 96 hours in order to meet the policy definition, and must then wait for the 30-day survival period to pass before being able to qualify for benefits.
No, as you are not considered to be alive (as defined in the policy) while receiving nutritional, respiratory and/or cardiovascular life support.
For benefits to be payable, you must have the Return of Premium on Death rider. If you have this rider and die during the survival period or from a condition or event not defined in the policy as a critical illness, we will pay a Return of Premium on Death benefit to you or your estate as long as the coverage is in force and there is no critical illness benefit payable or pending. The benefit is equal to the sum of all premiums paid for the policy. If death is a result of any of the exclusions listed in the policy, no benefit is payable.
The 90-day waiting period for cancer means that once the policy is in effect (or reinstated) there is no coverage if you are diagnosed with cancer during the first 90 days. A diagnosis of cancer must be made 91 days or more after the effective date to be covered under the policy.
If you are diagnosed with cancer during the first 90 days after the effective date or reinstatement date of coverage, the policy will have a permanent exclusion for any future cancer claims but your policy can remain in force.
If you move from Canada, your coverage is portable, provided you were a resident of Canada at the time we issued your policy.
If you develop a critical illness while you are living outside Canada, please call us at 1-800-461-1413 (Monday to Friday, 8am-6pm, ET) for details regarding the conditions under which a benefit would be payable. When reviewing your claim, we will determine whether the diagnosis and treatment were within Canadian standards.
Our policies include an Early Assistance benefit that is equal to 10% of the critical illness benefit you purchased, to a maximum of $50,000. Payments made under the Early Assistance benefit have no effect on your critical illness benefit. Your policy will continue in force for any future claim you may make, provided that you continue to pay premiums in accordance with the terms of your policy.
Premiums
You will pay premiums until you reach age 65 or 75, depending on the policy you purchase. It is possible premiums could increase, depending on the type of policy you purchase.
Still have questions? Contact us.
Whatever your needs, we can help.
Protect your lifestyle with critical illness insurance—talk to a licensed insurance advisor.
Need help now? Call 1-800-461-1413
Benefit is paid when you are diagnosed with a covered critical illness, as defined in the policy, and satisfy the survival period, as defined in the policy.
Cancer is defined as a definite diagnosis of a tumour, which must be characterized by the uncontrolled growth and spread of malignant cells and the invasion of tissue. Types of Cancer include carcinoma, melanoma, leukemia, lymphoma, and sarcoma. The diagnosis of Cancer must be made by a specialist. The following forms of cancer are excluded: Lesions described as benign, pre-malignant, uncertain, borderline, non-invasive, carcinoma in-situ (Tis) or tumours classified as Ta; Malignant melanoma skin cancer that is less than or equal to 1.0 mm in thickness, unless it is ulcerated or is accompanied by lymph node or distant metastasis; Any non-melanoma skin cancer, without lymph node or distant metastasis; Prostate cancer classified as T1a or T1b, without lymph node or distant metastasis; Papillary thyroid cancer or follicular thyroid cancer, or both, that is less than or equal to 2.0 cm in greatest diameter and classified as T1, without lymph node or distant metastasis; Chronic lymphocytic leukemia classified less than Rai stage 1; or Malignant gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST) and malignant carcinoid tumours, classified less than AJCC Stage 2.
This information is intended as a summary only. Your policy will contain complete details on terms and conditions, including benefits and exclusions.
Except as prescribed by a physician or as directed by the manufacturer in the case of non-prescribed medication.
Munich Reinsurance Company, 2006 Critical Illness Survey.
Cancer is defined as the definite diagnosis of a tumour characterized by the uncontrolled growth and spread of malignant cells and the invasion of tissue. The diagnosis of Cancer must be made by a specialist. Exclusion: No critical illness benefit will be payable under Cancer for: carcinoma in situ; Stage 1A malignant melanoma (melanoma less than or equal to one millimetre (1.0 mm) in thickness, not ulcerated and without Clark level IV or level V invasion); any non-melanoma skin cancer that has not metastasized; or Stage A (T1a or T1b) prostate cancer.
Certain conditions apply
+ Teladoc Medical Experts and other trademarks shown are trademarks of Teladoc Health Inc. Used under license.