Six term lengths, Term to 100, guaranteed and participating whole life, universal life and Health Priorities critical illness, with the ages, amounts and options that set each one apart.
Independently published. This guide is written by Pankaj Bhatia of Insure In Canada Inc. from Desjardins' published product information. It is not produced by or for Desjardins. The policy contract always governs.
Desjardins life insurance is issued by Desjardins Financial Security, rated A (Excellent) by AM Best in May 2026. For term coverage it offers Term 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and Term to 65. Each starts at $50,000, has level premiums for the first term, then renews every 5 years to age 85. Each can be converted to permanent insurance until age 70 without new medical evidence. Shorter terms can be exchanged for a longer one within the first 7 years. For lifelong needs it has Term to 100 (no cash value), whole life guaranteed (10, 15 or 20 pay, to 65 or to 100), participating whole life and universal life. Paying monthly costs about 8% more than paying annually.
All six have level premiums for the first term, a $50,000 minimum, and coverage to age 85. After the first term, the policy renews automatically and the premium is adjusted every 5 years.
| Plan | Issue ages | Level premium for | Exchange for a longer term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term 10 | 18–75 | 10 years | Within 7 years, to age 60 → T15, T20, T25 or T30 |
| Term 15 | 18–70 | 15 years | Within 7 years, to age 60 → T20, T25 or T30 |
| Term 20 | 0–65 | 20 years | Within 7 years, to age 60 → T25 or T30 |
| Term 25 | 0–60 | 25 years | Within 7 years, to age 55 → T30 |
| Term 30 | 0–55 | 30 years | Not available |
| Term to 65 | 0–45 | Until age 65 | Not available |
In the first 7 years, swap to a longer term with no medical, once. Useful if you buy Term 10 now and later take a longer mortgage.
Until age 70, turn term into Term to 100, whole life, participating or universal life with no new medical evidence, whatever your health by then.
For joint policies: split into individual permanent coverage before the oldest turns 65. If one person dies, survivors can claim individual cover for the full amount within 90 days.
Until 70, change individual term into joint last-to-die permanent coverage by adding a spouse or partner. This is a common estate-tax strategy.
Pick a plan and your age. The tool shows when your premium is fixed, your option deadlines, and when coverage ends, so you know which decisions come when.
Uses the published issue ages and option deadlines. Your contract governs.
Four ways to stay covered for life, from cheapest-per-dollar to most flexible.
Best for: covering taxes at death, or a guaranteed legacy at the lowest cost.
Best for: lifetime cover with guaranteed cash values and a fixed payment end date.
Best for: estate growth and tax-advantaged savings. Dividends are not guaranteed.
Best for: people who want to manage investments inside the policy and accept market risk.
Health Priorities pays a tax-free lump sum if you are diagnosed with one of 26 covered illnesses and conditions, including cancer, heart attack and stroke. You choose how to use the money: treatment, lost income, or the mortgage.
Buying life insurance and critical illness together on one Desjardins policy can qualify for a multi-coverage discount.
Price depends on age, sex, smoking, health class, amount and term. The structure is published; individual prices come from a quote.
| Monthly, $500,000 | Term 10 | Term 20 | Term 30 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age 30, female | from $16 | from $21 | from $33 |
| Age 30, male | from $22 | from $29 | from $44 |
| Age 40, female | from $21 | from $33 | from $66 |
| Age 40, male | from $27 | from $44 | from $86 |
| Age 50, female | from $48 | from $82 | from $172 |
| Age 50, male | from $67 | from $122 | from $237 |
An honest view of where Desjardins stands out and where another insurer may suit you better.
Related guides: Term 30 vs Term 40 · Term life for temporary needs · Canada Life insurance · Life insurance in Canada
Desjardins life insurance is completed with a licensed advisor; there is no full online purchase.
Desjardins Financial Security Life Assurance Company, the life and health insurer of Desjardins Group, headquartered in Lévis, Quebec.
It was created in 1948 as "Desjardins Life Insurance". Products are sold as Desjardins Insurance through Desjardins advisors and independent advisors across Canada.
Yes. In May 2026, AM Best gave Desjardins Financial Security a Financial Strength Rating of A (Excellent) and an issuer rating of a+, with a stable outlook.
It was Desjardins Insurance's first AM Best rating. AM Best cited a very strong balance sheet, strong operating performance and appropriate risk management.
Six: Term 10, Term 15, Term 20, Term 25, Term 30 and Term to 65.
Premiums are level for the first term. After that the policy renews automatically, with the premium adjusted every 5 years, until coverage ends at age 85. Term to 65 is level to age 65.
From $50,000. The illustration software goes up to $25,000,000, and Desjardins considers higher amounts on request.
Prices drop at each rate band: $100,000, $250,000, $500,000, $1 million, $2 million and $10 million.
Yes. All six term plans can be converted to an eligible permanent plan until age 70, with no new medical evidence.
Eligible permanent plans include Term to 100, whole life guaranteed, participating whole life and universal life. For joint coverage, the deadline is when the oldest insured turns 70.
Within the first 7 years you can swap a shorter term for a longer one (for example Term 10 for Term 20) without new medical evidence.
You must be 60 or younger (55 or younger to move into Term 30), and you can use it once. Term 30 and Term to 65 have no exchange option. Use the policy timeline tool to see your dates.
Yes, about 8% more. The monthly pre-authorized payment is 0.09 times the annual premium, and 12 × 0.09 = 1.08.
Each policy also has a $40 annual fee, plus $20 a year for each additional term coverage. Paying annually saves the 8%, if your budget allows.
Yes. Term plans (except Term to 65) offer joint first-to-die coverage for 2 to 5 people, paid at the first death.
The insurability option lets joint insureds split the coverage into individual permanent policies before the oldest turns 65. If one insured dies, the others can get individual coverage for the full amount within 90 days.
A low-cost permanent policy: level, guaranteed premiums to age 100 and lifetime coverage, with no cash value.
Issue ages are 0 to 75, from $25,000. It is often used to pay taxes at death, and it includes a critical illness advance. It is available as individual, joint first-to-die or joint last-to-die coverage.
Estate Enhancer and Accelerated Growth, each with 10-pay, 20-pay and to-100 payment options, plus 5 Pay PAR.
They pay policy dividends. The dividend scale interest rate was 6.3% when we checked in October 2026, but dividends are not guaranteed. An Additional Deposit Option lets you put in extra money.
Yes, as Health Priorities. It covers 26 illnesses and conditions, with Term 10, Term 20, Term to 65, Term to 75, 10-pay, 20-pay and to-100 versions.
The child plan covers 29 conditions. Permanent versions offer return of premium options and no survival period for cancers.
Free assistance services: a 24/7 nurse line, autonomy and home-care coordination, psychological sessions, second medical opinions, travel assistance and home help.
Desjardins provides these voluntarily and can withdraw them, and some depend on the coverage you hold. They are a bonus, not a reason on their own to choose a policy.
Not completely. You get a quote online, but an advisor completes the application and underwriting.
Pankaj can compare Desjardins with other Canadian insurers for your age, health and budget. Call or WhatsApp 647-640-2222, or use the quote form on this page.
Licensed insurance & financial advisor · Insure In Canada Inc. · Mississauga & Cambridge, Ontario
Pankaj has 11 years of experience helping Canadian families compare life and critical illness insurance across insurers. This guide is based on Desjardins Insurance's published product information, its term life reference guide and Desjardins Group announcements, all checked in October 2026.
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General information prepared from Desjardins Insurance's published product information as of October 26, 2026; products, ages, amounts and options can change. The insurance contract governs. Dividends on participating policies are not guaranteed. Desjardins and related marks belong to their owners. This page is independently published and does not imply that Desjardins endorses it.