La Capitale critical illness insurance is now Beneva: plans, covered illnesses and who can buy
La Capitale and SSQ Insurance became Beneva. Here is what Beneva's critical illness insurance covers today, and what existing La Capitale clients should know.
People still search for "La Capitale critical illness" because that is the name on their policy or the one a friend mentioned. The company now operates as Beneva. Its critical illness insurance comes in two levels, Basic for the four most common claims and Enhanced for 26 illnesses, with term and lifetime plans and optional return of premiums.
In short
La Capitale merged with SSQ Insurance in 2020 to form Beneva, Canada's largest mutual insurer, rated A (Excellent) by AM Best. Beneva critical illness insurance pays a tax-free lump sum of $25,000 to $2,000,000 if you are diagnosed with a covered illness and survive 30 days. Choose Basic (cancer, heart attack, stroke, coronary bypass) or Enhanced (26 illnesses, with a 15% early-stage benefit up to $50,000). Plans: T10, T20, T75, T100 and T100 paid-up in 20 years, issue ages 18 to 65 (T20 to 55). Existing La Capitale policies continue with Beneva.
Beneva critical illness plan finder
Enter your age and the amount you're considering.
From Beneva's critical illness summary. Premiums depend on health, smoking and underwriting; ask for a quote.
Beneva critical illness plans and issue ages
| Plan | Issue ages | How it works |
|---|---|---|
| T10 | 18 to 65 | Renews every 10 years to age 75; convertible to T75 or T100 before 65 |
| T20 | 18 to 55 | Renews to age 75; convertible to T75 or T100 before 65 |
| T75 | 18 to 65 | Level to age 75; return-of-premium options available |
| T100 | 18 to 65 | Lifetime coverage |
| T100 paid-up 20 years | 18 to 50 | Lifetime coverage, premiums for 20 years |
| Child protection | 30 days to 17 | T75, T100 or T100 paid-up 20; 29 illnesses; up to $250,000 |
The 26 illnesses on Enhanced protection
The four marked Basic are the only ones covered on Basic protection.
- Aortic surgery
- Aplastic anemia
- Bacterial meningitis
- Benign brain tumour
- Blindness
- Cancer (Basic)
- Coma
- Coronary artery bypass surgery (Basic)
- Deafness
- Dementia, including Alzheimer's disease
- 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
- Severe heart attack (Basic)
- Severe traumatic brain injury
- Stroke (Basic)
Early-stage benefit
On Enhanced protection, Beneva pays 15% of the insurance amount, up to $50,000, for:
- Heart
- Coronary angioplasty
- Breast
- In situ breast cancer
- Skin
- Early malignant melanoma
- Other cancers
- Early prostate and thyroid cancer, CLL Rai stage 0, early GIST and neuroendocrine tumours
If you have a La Capitale or SSQ policy
Your policy continues
Beneva took over La Capitale and SSQ policies. The terms you signed still apply; only the name changed.
Who to call
Beneva lists 1-800-361-7420 for insured persons on individual policies. Have your policy number ready.
Before you replace it
Compare carefully. A new policy means new medical questions and a new waiting period. Never cancel the old one until the new one is in force.
Beneva life insurance at a glance
| Product | Details |
|---|---|
| Permanent life | Whole Life 20, Whole Life 100, Term 100 and Enhanced Term 100; issue ages 0 to 75; $10,000 to $10,000,000; includes an extreme disability benefit before 60 |
| Simplified issue | Simplified Term 10 (18–70) and Term 20 (18–60), $25,000 to $500,000; guaranteed issue whole life, 18–80, $10,000 to $50,000 with a 2-year waiting period for non-accidental death |
| Universal life | Issue ages 0 to 85 (YRT) or 0 to 80 (level T100); $25,000 to $10,000,000; 1% guaranteed bonus from the 6th anniversary |
| Riders | Critical illness rider (3 illnesses, $20,000), child rider, waiver of premium, accidental death and dismemberment |
Choosing critical illness insurance
Amount: many people choose one to two years of take-home pay, enough to cover time off work, treatment costs and household bills while they recover.
Term or lifetime: a T10 or T20 is cheapest while you have a mortgage and children; T75 or T100 locks in a level premium for life.
Basic or Enhanced: cancer, heart attack and stroke make up most claims, but Enhanced adds conditions such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's and kidney failure, plus early-stage benefits.
Pankaj does not represent Beneva. He compares critical illness plans from iA Financial Group, Equitable Life, BMO Insurance and Assumption Life and can review an existing La Capitale or Beneva policy with you.
Beneva at a glance
- Formed
- 2020, from La Capitale and SSQ Insurance
- One company since
- January 1, 2023
- Head office
- Quebec City
- Members and clients
- 3.5 million+
- AM Best
- A (Excellent), stable
- Assets (2025)
- $29.2 billion
La Capitale and Beneva questions
What happened to La Capitale insurance?
La Capitale merged with SSQ Insurance in 2020. The combined mutual was named Beneva in December 2020 and has operated as one insurer, Beneva Inc., since January 1, 2023.
Beneva is headquartered in Quebec City and describes itself as Canada's largest mutual insurance company, with more than 3.5 million members and clients.
I have a La Capitale policy. Is it still valid?
Yes. Existing La Capitale and SSQ policies continue with Beneva under their original terms.
For service on an individual policy, Beneva lists 1-800-361-7420 for insured persons. Keep paying premiums as before.
What critical illness insurance does Beneva offer?
Basic protection for 4 illnesses (cancer, heart attack, stroke and coronary bypass) or Enhanced protection for 26 illnesses, plus child protection for 29.
Amounts run from $25,000 to $2,000,000 for adults. The benefit is paid as a tax-free lump sum if you are diagnosed with a covered illness and survive 30 days.
Does Beneva pay anything for early-stage illnesses?
Yes, on Enhanced protection: 15% of the insurance amount, up to $50,000, for 8 early conditions such as coronary angioplasty and in situ breast cancer.
It can be paid up to 4 times, once per condition, and does not reduce the main insurance amount. Basic protection does not include it.
What ages can buy Beneva critical illness insurance?
18 to 65 for T10, T75 and T100; 18 to 55 for T20; 18 to 50 for T100 paid-up in 20 years; 30 days to 17 for children.
T10 and T20 renew up to age 75 and can be converted to T75 or T100 before 65 without new medical evidence.
Can I get my premiums back?
Yes, with return-of-premium riders bought at issue: on death (all plans), on cancellation or expiry after 15 years (T75) or 20 years (T75, T100, T100 paid-up 20), or at expiry (T75).
Return-of-premium riders add to the cost, so compare the total against investing the difference.
Is Beneva financially strong?
AM Best rates Beneva Inc. A (Excellent) with a stable outlook. Beneva reported consolidated assets of $29.2 billion and a solvency ratio of 163% at the end of 2025.
Its first AM Best rating as a combined company was assigned in November 2023.
Can Pankaj sell me a Beneva policy?
No. Pankaj does not represent Beneva. He can compare critical illness insurance from insurers he represents, such as iA Financial Group, Equitable Life, BMO Insurance and Assumption Life.
If you already hold a La Capitale or Beneva policy, he can review it with you before you replace anything. Never cancel a policy before the new one is approved.
Written by Pankaj Bhatia, CHS, PFA
Insure In Canada Inc. · Licensed in Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia
Pankaj is a licensed life and health insurance advisor. He prepared this guide from Beneva's published product summaries so you can compare it fairly with the insurers he represents.
Sources and related pages
Summary of Beneva's published materials. The policy contract governs. Pankaj Bhatia does not represent Beneva.