Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID)

Bill C-14, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and related amendments to other Acts (medical assistance in dying) describes the conditions under which seriously and hopelessly ill or dying adults may seek medical help to end their lives.

In 2016 the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association (CLHIA) provided clarity on how the life insurance industry will respond.

The Canadian law for MAID protects those who choose medically assisted dying from any adverse legal consequences.  

• The contractual exclusion for suicide cannot be applied during the first 2 years of policy application or reinstatement.
• Provided persons follow the legislated process in seeking MAID, the CLHIA anticipates that in most instances it would be treated as a normal death for insurance purposes.
• For example, if a death claim due to MAID occurs within 5 years of evidence being submitted, it may undergo a typical contestability or policy validity assessment.  This may include but is not limited to.
  • a review of the contract including the application.
  • the circumstances surrounding the death.
  • documentation provided to us.

Sun Life will not apply on the two-year suicide exclusion clause found in our optional life insurance policies for persons who follow the legislated process for medically assisted deaths.¹

¹Sun Life has the right to investigate any claim. For example, if the insured person failed to disclose relevant medical information and passed away within 2 years of obtaining coverage, then we would have a right to deny the claim.