La Capitale life insurance review – Updated 2025

What is La Capitale insurance?

La Capitale is a Canadian insurance provider that offers a range of life insurance products, including term life, whole life, and universal life insurance. Later, La Capitale merged with SSQ Insurance in 2020 to form Beneva Inc. 

Despite the rebranding, La Capitale’s life insurance policies continue to provide financial protection for individuals, families, and business owners. The payout can cover final expenses, replace lost income, and ensure financial security for beneficiaries. 

Key facts about La Capitale Life Insurance

• Founded: 1940
• Headquarters: Québec City, Québec
• AM Best Rating: —
• Better Business Bureau Accreditation and Rating: No / —
• Assets: $25 billion (2020) under Beneva
• Annual Premiums: $6 billion (2020) under Beneva 
• Annual Premiums: $2.5-billion

La Capitale life insurance rating and review

La Capitale’s flagship product is their Enhanced term insurance, which automatically includes a Loss of Autonomy benefit and coverage for estate fees up to $1000 (Quebec only). This product is renewable and convertible and can be combined with Beneva’s full suite of insurance products such as critical illness insurance, disability insurance, and other savings and investment products. 

La Capitale also offers a more basic term life insurance product, known as their “Pure” series product line. This term life insurance offers similar coverage amounts and convertibility compared with the Enhanced series but is a little cheaper as it does not come with the Loss of Autonomy or Succession Advantage benefit. 

La Capitale also offers simplified and no-medical life insurance products, meaning no medical exam is required. For their simplified life insurance product, known as “Simplified Advantage,” coverage is available up to $100,000.

You can apply for their no-medical product, called “Affirmative,” after answering only four qualifying questions—but, their no-medical coverage is only up to $25,000. Notably, La Capitale only offers permanent simplified and no-medical life insurance, meaning term options are not available for these products.

Since the merger with SSQ under the new name Beneva, those looking to apply for La Capitale life insurance can do so through a quick online process.

What are the pros and cons of La Capitale life insurance?

La Capitale has several pros such as a strong financial background, a wide range of products with various customization options, estate fee coverage, and more. However, there are certain disadvantages in terms of limitations in simplified coverage and no-medical coverage.

Pros of La Capitale life insurance

• Strong financial stability: Backed by the merger with SSQ under the Beneva brand, ensuring long-term reliability
• Comprehensive policy customization: Offers multiple optional riders, including children’s term insurance and critical illness coverage
• Built-in Loss of Autonomy benefit: Included with enhanced products, providing additional financial support in case of loss of independence
• Estate legal fee coverage: Covers up to $1,000 in legal expenses for estate settlement 
• Convenient digital access: Provides online account management, e-policy services, and seamless digital access for policyholders

Cons of La Capitale life insurance

• Limited simplified coverage: La Capitale’s coverage is capped at $50,000 for applicants over age 71, which may be insufficient for some needs
• Restricted no-medical coverage: Maximum coverage for no-medical exam policies is limited to $25,000, which may not provide adequate financial protection

What term life insurance amounts and coverage do La Capitale and Beneva offer?

La Capitale offers a variety of term insurance products including the Enhanced Fixed Term, Pure Fixed Term, Enhanced Decreasing Term, as well as a variety of life insurance riders. 

Pure Series Term Insurance

• Straight-forward, basic term insurance product designed for income replacement, estate planning, and covering personal and business debts
• Option to exchange the contract term for a longer term during the first 5 years, without evidence of insurability

Coverage and policy details

• Available Term Lengths: 10, 20, 25, 30, or 35 years
• Available Term Types: Level or decreasing 
• Maximum Amount of Coverage: $5,000,000
• Renewability: Yes. Renewable as 10-year term to age 85
• Convertibility: Yes. Convertible to up to age 70

Enhanced Series Term Insurance

• Flexible term insurance product designed for income replacement, estate planning, and covering personal and business debts
• Option to exchange the contract term for a longer term during the first 5 years, without evidence of insurability
• Total loss of autonomy benefit built-in
• Succession advantage included (up to $1000 to cover reimbursement of estate fees, Quebec only)

Coverage and policy details 

• Available Term Lengths: 10, 20, 25, 30, or 35 years
• Available Term Types: Level or decreasing
• Maximum Amount of Coverage: $5,000,000
• Renewability: Yes. Renewable as 10-year term to age 85
• Convertibility: Yes. Convertible to up to age 70

What other insurance coverage does La Capitale under Beneva offer?

La Capitale offers a variety of customizable insurance products as well as saving and investment products. 

Permanent Life Insurance

Permanent life insurance provides you with coverage from the day the policy is settled until the day you die. Premiums are level and guaranteed, and as long as you keep paying the premiums the coverage never expires. SSQ offers three different permanent life insurance policy options: non-participating (Advantage Non-Participating, Pure Term to 100, Enhanced Term to 100)  simplified life insurance (Simplified Advantage), and no-medical life insurance (Affirmative). 

Simplified Life Insurance

Simplified life insurance coverage has no requirements for a medical exam. To apply, all you need to do is answer some simple questions regarding your health.

The waiting process is shorter and can oftentimes grant you immediate coverage. The tradeoff? Generally, premiums are higher for simplified coverage, and the coverage amount is lower than what you can get with traditionally underwritten life insurance. 

La Capitale offers the following simplified life insurance coverage: 

• Up to $100,000 in coverage based on age 
• Advanced payment up to 50% of coverage if the event results in shortened life expectancy

Critical Illness Insurance

Critical illness insurance is a living benefit insurance policy that pays out a tax-free lump sum if you develop a specified illness, health event (like breast cancer, prostate cancer, skin cancer, heart attack, and coronary angioplasty), or undergo treatment while under its coverage, after a minimum of 30 days from when you are first diagnosed (90 days for cancer).

This coverage is available for a period of time also known as term length, and you determine it when purchasing the policy.

La Capitale, under Beneva, offers critical illness insurance coverage for children and adults with several policy options: 

• 25 covered illnesses or surgeries 
• Partial payouts for certain conditions
• Renewal up to age 75 and convertible up to age 60 
• Available as a separate policy or rider
• Coverage options from $10,000 – $20,000 
• Access to Teladoc network (network of doctors and specialists) 

Read our full Beneva Critical Illness Insurance Review. 

Disability Insurance

Disability insurance, sometimes also referred to as income protection insurance is an insurance product that offers you protection against loss of income by replacing a substantial portion of your paycheque if you become disabled. 

La Capitale offers disability illness insurance coverage called the “Pillar Series” income protection plan. It offers: 

• Up to $6,000 monthly benefit amount
• Partial benefit options (up to 6 months) 
• Coverage on 1st day of hospitalization (90-day elimination period or less)
• Basic coverage for accidents with sickness coverage available as a rider
• Additional simplified accident insurance available (no medical exam required) 

Investment and Financial Products

In addition to insurance products La Capitale also offers investment services with over 42 investment accounts available with 5 asset categories: fixed income, balanced, Canadian equity, American and international equity, and portfolios. They also offer RRSP loans and other annuities.

How to access La Capitale insurance policies under Beneva?

To access your La Capitale insurance policy under Beneva, you can use the Beneva Client Centre. If you previously had an online account with La Capitale, your login credentials will remain the same. 

Simply visit the Beneva Client Centre and log in to manage your policy, view coverage details, submit claims, and access important documents. If you haven’t registered for an online account yet, you can create one on the same platform by following the registration steps.

You can also use the Beneva mobile app which is available for download on your smartphone. The app allows you to manage your policies, submit claims, and view your insurance documents from anywhere

Does Beneva have an app?

Yes, Beneva has a mobile app that allows policyholders to manage their insurance on the go. The app is available for both iOS and Android devices and provides access to key features such as:

• Viewing insurance policies and coverage details
• Submitting and tracking claims
• Accessing digital insurance documents
• Finding healthcare providers (for health insurance users)
• Contacting customer support

Is Beneva a reliable insurance provider?

Yes, Beneva is considered a reliable insurance provider in Canada. Formed through the merger of La Capitale and SSQ Insurance, Beneva combines decades of experience from both companies, creating one of the largest mutual insurance providers in the country. 

Beneva offers a wide range of insurance products, including life, health, auto, home, and business insurance, ensuring comprehensive coverage for individuals and families. 

With a strong financial foundation, extensive product offerings, and a customer-focused approach, Beneva has positioned itself as a trustworthy option for insurance seekers.

How do I apply for a term life policy with La Capitale Insurance?

You can apply for La Capitale Life Insurance’s plans by using the best online insurance broker in Canada. You can enter your information and look up quotes using the button below or schedule a call with one of our licensed brokers to apply for La Capitale Life Insurance through Beneva or get an instant quote.

Frequently asked questions

Does La Capitale life insurance cover critical illness?

La Capitale offers an optional critical illness rider under the Beneva name, allowing policyholders to receive a lump-sum payout if diagnosed with a covered critical illness. This rider can be added to eligible life insurance policies for enhanced financial protection.

Will my existing La Capitale life insurance policy be affected by the transition to Beneva?

No, if you had a life insurance policy with La Capitale before the transition, your coverage, benefits, and terms remain unchanged. The only difference is that Beneva now handles policy administration and customer service.

Can I still buy a new La Capitale life insurance policy, or do I need to apply through Beneva?

New life insurance policies are now issued under the Beneva brand, but they still include many of the same coverage options that La Capitale previously offered. Existing policyholders can continue managing their policies as usual.

Has Beneva introduced any changes or improvements to La Capitale’s life insurance products?

While core policy offerings remain similar, Beneva has focused on improving digital services, streamlining customer support, and expanding coverage options to provide a better overall experience for policyholders.