Manulife insurance in Canada: life, health and travel plans explained
What Manulife sells, who each plan suits, and where to compare it with other Canadian insurers.
Manulife is one of the best-known names in Canadian insurance. Here is a plain overview of its main products, with links to our detailed pages on Manulife visitors and travel insurance.
In short
Manulife, headquartered in Toronto, sells term life (Family Term, CoverMe), whole life (Manulife Par, Performax Gold), universal life, critical illness, health and dental (CoverMe FlexCare) and travel insurance, including Visitors to Canada and Super Visa plans. It is a strong, large insurer, but not always the cheapest, so compare before you buy.
What Manulife sells in Canada
The main personal insurance products, as listed on Manulife's Canadian site, October 2026.
| Type | Products | In plain words |
|---|---|---|
| Term life | Family Term, CoverMe Term (bought online) | Family Term is the main term plan; CoverMe is simpler to buy online but often costs more. |
| Permanent life | Manulife Par (participating), Performax Gold (non-participating) | Par earns dividends; Performax Gold has flexible payment periods. |
| Universal life | Manulife UL | Coverage with an investment account inside the policy. |
| Critical illness | Lifecheck and CoverMe Critical Illness | A lump sum if diagnosed with a covered illness. |
| Health and dental | CoverMe FlexCare and FollowMe | Personal plans for people without, or leaving, a group plan. |
| Travel | CoverMe travel for Canadians; Visitors to Canada plans | Emergency medical for trips abroad, and plans for visitors and Super Visa parents. |
Manulife travel and visitors insurance
Most people who reach this page are looking for Manulife travel cover, in one of two forms:
Visitors to Canada and Super Visa. Manulife's visitors plans come in Basic, Standard and Enhanced versions, with different pre-existing condition rules and waiting periods. See our Manulife visitors insurance review for the details and live prices next to other insurers.
Canadians travelling abroad. Single-trip, multi-trip and all-inclusive plans, with top-ups for longer trips. See Manulife travel insurance for Canadians, or the snowbird guide for long winter stays.
Manulife at a glance
- Head office
- Toronto, Ontario
- In the US
- Operates as John Hancock
- Wellness program
- Manulife Vitality on eligible life plans
- Buy online
- CoverMe life, health and travel
Should you buy Manulife life insurance?
Manulife is one of Canada's largest insurers, and that size brings a wide product range. Size does not always mean the lowest price, though. For term life in particular, the same coverage can cost noticeably less with another Canadian insurer, and the right choice often comes down to your age, health and what the coverage is for.
Pankaj compares life insurance across several Canadian insurers, including iA Financial Group, Empire Life, Equitable Life and Foresters. Start with life insurance in Canada to see how much coverage you need.
Questions people ask
Is Manulife a Canadian company?
Yes. Manulife is headquartered in Toronto and operates in the United States under the John Hancock name.
It sells life, health, travel and investment products across Canada.
What term life insurance does Manulife offer?
Family Term is its main term plan, and CoverMe Term is a simpler version you can buy online.
Both are renewable; compare the cost with other insurers before you buy.
What is the difference between Manulife Par and Performax Gold?
Manulife Par is participating whole life that can pay dividends; Performax Gold is non-participating permanent insurance with flexible payment periods.
Which suits you depends on whether you want growing cash value or a set cost.
Does Manulife sell visitors to Canada and Super Visa insurance?
Yes, in Basic, Standard and Enhanced versions.
See the Manulife visitors review for the rules and live prices.
Can Pankaj compare Manulife with other insurers?
Yes. For visitors and travel insurance he shows Manulife next to other insurers in one live quote.
For life insurance he compares plans from several Canadian insurers for your age and health.
Sources and related pages
General information, not legal or medical advice. Each policy's wording decides what is covered.