Is Metropolitan Life Insurance Worth It for Canadians? 2025 Review
Our expert's opinion on Metropolitan
Metropolitan's life insurance offering in Canada is highly specialized, focusing exclusively on the group benefits market, which results in a restrictive but functional product suite. Available plans are limited to employer-sponsored group term life, accidental death, and disability, with no options for cash-value accumulation, policy loans, or premium flexibility. Positioned against full-service competitors, MetLife Canada prioritizes cost-effective group coverage by leveraging risk pooling for lower premiums rather than offering diverse, feature-rich individual products.
As such, Metropolitan exclusively serves employees of partner companies seeking straightforward, often employer-subsidized, life insurance as a component of their compensation package.
While specific financial strength metrics for its Canadian operations are not published, its public reputation is poor, reflected in a Trustpilot score of 1.6/5 from 128 reviews. Claims are generally paid within 30 days of receiving complete documentation, but all policyholder service is routed through the employer’s administrator, with no direct consumer support channels available.
- ✅Cost-effective premiums through employer group rates
- ✅Employer-subsidized basic coverage options
- ✅Group term, disability, and AD&D products
- ✅No medical exam for most basic coverage
- ✅Available waiver of premium and accidental death riders
- ✅No surrender charges on group term policies
- ❌No individual life insurance for direct purchase
- ❌Absence of cash value growth or policy loans
- ❌No direct customer support for policyholders
- ❌Extremely low 1.6/5 Trustpilot score
- ❌Coverage directly tied to employment status
Our expert's opinion on Metropolitan
- ✅Cost-effective premiums through employer group rates
- ✅Employer-subsidized basic coverage options
- ✅Group term, disability, and AD&D products
- ✅No medical exam for most basic coverage
- ✅Available waiver of premium and accidental death riders
- ✅No surrender charges on group term policies
- ❌No individual life insurance for direct purchase
- ❌Absence of cash value growth or policy loans
- ❌No direct customer support for policyholders
- ❌Extremely low 1.6/5 Trustpilot score
- ❌Coverage directly tied to employment status
Score- ✅Cost-effective premiums through employer group rates
- ✅Employer-subsidized basic coverage options
- ✅Group term, disability, and AD&D products
- ✅No medical exam for most basic coverage
- ✅Available waiver of premium and accidental death riders
- ✅No surrender charges on group term policies
Why trust HelloSafe?
At HelloSafe, our life insurance experts analyze the coverage options and pricing structures of policies on the market each year to provide you with a reliable and impartial opinion. Thanks to this rigorous methodology, hundreds of thousands of consumers in Canada trust us each month to guide them in their most important financial decisions.
The guarantees of Metropolitan life insurance
In Canada, MetLife focuses exclusively on group benefits programs provided through employers or associations. They do not offer individual life insurance policies like whole life or universal life for direct purchase.
The primary products available include:
- Group term life insurance: This is the core offering, providing a death benefit for a specified term, typically for the duration of employment. Coverage details, including benefit amounts and available riders, are determined by the specific employer's plan.
- Accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D): This policy pays an additional benefit if death or a severe injury results from an accident. It is often bundled with group term life coverage.
- Long-term disability (LTD): This provides income replacement if an employee is unable to work for an extended period due to a disability.
- Optional riders: Depending on the group plan, employees may be able to add riders such as a waiver of premium (which covers premium payments during disability) or dependent coverage.
| Feature | Term Life | Whole Life | Universal Life | Hybrid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🪙 Death benefit | Yes, lump-sum payout | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| 📈 Cash value accumulation | No cash value | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| 💸 Policy loans | Not available | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| 🛡️ Available riders | Yes (AD&D, WOP, dependent coverage) | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| 🔄 Conversion guarantee | Varies by group plan, often limited | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| 📈 Participating dividends | No | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| 💲 Cost of key riders (% of base premium) | Varies by group (typically 3-5%) | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| 🔄 Premium flexibility | No, fixed by group plan | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| ⏳ Surrender charges | None, no cash value to surrender | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| 🎂 Issue age range | Varies by employer group plan | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| 🔒 Guaranteed level | Yes, for term of employment | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
The cost of Metropolitan life insurance
Metropolitan Life (MetLife) premiums in Canada are based on group rates, meaning the cost is determined by the overall risk profile of the employer's or association's member pool rather than individual underwriting.
This risk-pooling approach generally results in lower premiums than individual policies, and employers may subsidize a portion or all of the cost for basic coverage.
The final premium for any individual is set by their specific group contract, which considers the collective demographics and the chosen plan design.
- Age: Each additional decade increases the base premium by approximately 15%.
- Smoker status: Smokers typically pay around 50% more than non-smokers for the same coverage.
- Health status: Pre-existing conditions may increase premiums by about 20%, subject to the group's underwriting rules.
- Coverage amount: Premiums increase proportionally with the amount of the death benefit.
- Rider costs: Adding optional riders like AD&D or dependent coverage typically increases the premium by 3–5% per rider.
| Profile | Coverage amount | Non-smoker premium | Smoker premium | Professional premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30-year-old, healthy | $250,000 | Not available (Group-specific) | Not available (Group-specific) | Not available (Group-specific) |
| 45-year-old with pre-existing conditions | $500,000 | Not available (Group-specific) | Not available (Group-specific) | Not available (Group-specific) |
| 40-year-old professional, healthy | $750,000 | Not available (Group-specific) | Not available (Group-specific) | Not available (Group-specific) |
Surrender Charges for Metropolitan Life Insurance
Metropolitan Life (MetLife) life insurance policies offered in Canada are primarily group term life insurance products. These policies do not accumulate cash value and function as pure insurance protection for the duration of employment or membership in the group. Consequently, the concept of surrender charges is not applicable. There is no waiting period to cancel a policy; however, since there is no cash surrender value, cancelling the coverage simply terminates the death benefit protection, and no capital is returned to the policyholder.
| Year | Fee % | Example & Tax treatment |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0% | $0 returned on any premium paid. Tax treatment is not applicable. |
| 2 | 0% | $0 returned on any premium paid. Tax treatment is not applicable. |
| 3 | 0% | $0 returned on any premium paid. Tax treatment is not applicable. |
| 4 | 0% | $0 returned on any premium paid. Tax treatment is not applicable. |
| 5 | 0% | $0 returned on any premium paid. Tax treatment is not applicable. |
| 6+ | 0% | $0 returned on any premium paid. Tax treatment is not applicable. |
No Capital Returned on Surrender
A comparison of surrendering a Metropolitan group term life policy at different times illustrates that no capital is ever returned.
• Surrender in year 1: The policy terminates, and the capital returned is $0.
• Surrender in year 5: The policy terminates, and the capital returned is $0.
The Exclusions and Limitations of Metropolitan Life Insurance
Metropolitan group life insurance policies in Canada contain standard exclusions that may prevent a death benefit from being paid:
- Suicide exclusion: No benefit is paid if death results from suicide within the first policy year of coverage.
- Acts of war: Death directly or indirectly caused by war, declared or undeclared, or any act of terrorism is excluded.
- Extreme sports: Death occurring during participation in high-risk sports or hazardous activities is not covered.
- Private aviation: Coverage excludes death resulting from travel in any non-commercial or private aircraft.
- Criminal acts: No death benefit is paid if the insured's death occurs while committing a criminal offense.
- Intoxication: Death resulting from being under the influence of alcohol or non-prescribed drugs is typically excluded.
- Assistance services: The policy does not include additional benefits such as repatriation, legal, or travel assistance services.
What customers think of Metropolitan's life insurance
| Review site | Rating and number of reviews |
|---|---|
| Trustpilot | 1.6 / 5 (128 reviews) |
The following points summarize feedback from clients who have subscribed to a Metropolitan policy:
✅ A number of reviewers report that claims are paid reliably once all the necessary documentation is complete.
❌ A frequent complaint is that the claims process is slow and subject to delays.
❌ A common point of frustration is the poor communication and the lack of direct customer support.
Here are examples of reviews left online:
- "MetLife handled my claim efficiently once all paperwork was submitted. The process with my employer was clear and straightforward.", Jane M., Feb 2023, Trustpilot
- "Very poor communication; it took months to get answers about my policy and I never spoke to the same person twice.", Peter C., Sept 2022, Trustpilot
How to Contact Metropolitan
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | Not available. Metropolitan operates in Canada primarily through employer-sponsored group plans without a public-facing head office. |
| Phone | Not available. Policy inquiries are managed directly through your employer’s Human Resources or benefits administrator. |
| Not available. All communication regarding your group life insurance policy should be directed to your plan administrator. | |
| Website | https://www.metlife.com/MWBwelcome/before-you-leave/canada/ |
| Responsiveness / Hours | Not available. Service hours are dependent on your employer's internal benefits department or plan administrator. |
| Live chat | Not available. Metropolitan does not offer a direct live chat service for individual group plan members in Canada. |
| Social media | Not available. There are no official social media channels dedicated to customer service for Canadian policyholders. |
FAQ
How are life insurance benefits from Metropolitan taxed in Canada?
In Canada, the death benefit paid from a life insurance policy to a named beneficiary is generally received tax-free. However, it is important to consult a tax advisor regarding your specific situation. If your employer pays for a portion or all of your premiums, this could be considered a taxable benefit to you.
Does Metropolitan group life insurance have a cash value or surrender benefit?
No, the group term life insurance policies offered by Metropolitan in Canada do not accumulate cash value. As such, there is no surrender benefit or payout if you cancel your coverage or leave your employer. The policy is designed purely for protection and coverage simply ceases when you are no longer part of the group plan.
How long does it take to receive a claim payout?
Once a claim is submitted with all the required documentation, the benefit is typically paid out within 30 days. The claims process is initiated through your employer or the group plan administrator, not directly with Metropolitan. Submitting a complete and accurate claim package is essential to avoid delays in processing.
Is a medical exam required to get coverage?
For basic levels of group life insurance coverage provided by an employer, a medical exam is generally not required. However, if you choose to apply for additional or optional coverage amounts beyond the basic guarantee, you may be required to provide medical evidence or undergo an exam. The specific requirements are determined by your employer's group plan.
What types of life insurance does Metropolitan offer in Canada?
Metropolitan primarily offers group life insurance solutions through employers and associations in Canada. Their main products are group term life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D), and long-term disability coverage. They do not market or sell individual life insurance policies, like whole or universal life, directly to consumers in Canada.
How do I file a life insurance claim?
To file a claim, you or your beneficiary must contact your employer's human resources department or the group's benefits administrator. They will provide you with the necessary claim forms and guide you on the required supporting documents, such as a death certificate. The administrator will then submit the completed package to Metropolitan for processing on your behalf.
Can I keep my life insurance coverage if I leave my job?
The ability to convert your group policy to an individual policy upon leaving employment depends entirely on the terms of your specific group plan. While some plans may offer a conversion privilege, it is not a guaranteed feature and is often not available. You must check with your employer’s benefits administrator to see if this option is available to you.
Who do I contact with questions about my policy?
All questions regarding your group life insurance policy should be directed to your employer’s HR or benefits department. Metropolitan Canada does not provide direct customer service or support to individual members of group plans. Your plan administrator is your primary point of contact for all inquiries, including coverage details, beneficiary changes, and claims.
How are life insurance benefits from Metropolitan taxed in Canada?
In Canada, the death benefit paid from a life insurance policy to a named beneficiary is generally received tax-free. However, it is important to consult a tax advisor regarding your specific situation. If your employer pays for a portion or all of your premiums, this could be considered a taxable benefit to you.
Does Metropolitan group life insurance have a cash value or surrender benefit?
No, the group term life insurance policies offered by Metropolitan in Canada do not accumulate cash value. As such, there is no surrender benefit or payout if you cancel your coverage or leave your employer. The policy is designed purely for protection and coverage simply ceases when you are no longer part of the group plan.
How long does it take to receive a claim payout?
Once a claim is submitted with all the required documentation, the benefit is typically paid out within 30 days. The claims process is initiated through your employer or the group plan administrator, not directly with Metropolitan. Submitting a complete and accurate claim package is essential to avoid delays in processing.
Is a medical exam required to get coverage?
For basic levels of group life insurance coverage provided by an employer, a medical exam is generally not required. However, if you choose to apply for additional or optional coverage amounts beyond the basic guarantee, you may be required to provide medical evidence or undergo an exam. The specific requirements are determined by your employer's group plan.
What types of life insurance does Metropolitan offer in Canada?
Metropolitan primarily offers group life insurance solutions through employers and associations in Canada. Their main products are group term life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D), and long-term disability coverage. They do not market or sell individual life insurance policies, like whole or universal life, directly to consumers in Canada.
How do I file a life insurance claim?
To file a claim, you or your beneficiary must contact your employer's human resources department or the group's benefits administrator. They will provide you with the necessary claim forms and guide you on the required supporting documents, such as a death certificate. The administrator will then submit the completed package to Metropolitan for processing on your behalf.
Can I keep my life insurance coverage if I leave my job?
The ability to convert your group policy to an individual policy upon leaving employment depends entirely on the terms of your specific group plan. While some plans may offer a conversion privilege, it is not a guaranteed feature and is often not available. You must check with your employer’s benefits administrator to see if this option is available to you.
Who do I contact with questions about my policy?
All questions regarding your group life insurance policy should be directed to your employer’s HR or benefits department. Metropolitan Canada does not provide direct customer service or support to individual members of group plans. Your plan administrator is your primary point of contact for all inquiries, including coverage details, beneficiary changes, and claims.
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