Emma vs PolicyMe: which life insurance fits you?
Prices, products and policy terms compared, with sources and dates
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Key Takeaways
- PolicyMe distributes PolicyMe Term Life Insurance, issued by Securian Canada, with a Term-to-100 option; Emma works with more than 10 Canadian insurers.
- For $500,000 over 20 years, non-smoker, Emma's 2026 grid is lower than PolicyMe's published examples at ages 30 to 40; at 45 PolicyMe is slightly lower.
- PolicyMe term converts to a longer term within 5 years or to lifetime coverage up to the anniversary nearest age 69, and renews yearly to age 85.
- A published example is not a quote. Compare the same amount, term and smoking status.
Disclosure: Emma publishes this page. Emma distributes life insurance and has a commercial interest in readers requesting a quote, so treat this as a starting point and compare any Emma offer with alternatives, PolicyMe included.
Should you get life insurance with Emma or PolicyMe?
It depends on what you want to compare. PolicyMe distributes PolicyMe Term Life Insurance, issued by Securian Canada, with 10 to 30-year terms and a Term-to-100 option. Emma is an online distributor that works with more than 10 Canadian insurers, so you can compare term and permanent options from different insurers in one application. If you want one product from one insurer, PolicyMe is a reasonable option to price. If you want to compare offers from several insurers, Emma gives you more insurers to look at. In both cases, the price you pay depends on your answers and on the insurer accepting your application.
Emma vs PolicyMe at a glance
| Point to compare | Emma | PolicyMe |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | An online life insurance distributor that works with more than 10 Canadian insurers | The distributor of PolicyMe Term Life Insurance |
| Who issues the policy | The insurer named in your offer, which depends on the product you choose | Securian Canada, with PolicyMe Corp. as distributor |
| Products to compare | Term and permanent coverage from several insurers, including Emma's T100 | Term life with 10, 15, 20, 25 or 30-year terms, plus a Term-to-100 option |
| How you apply | Online needs analysis, with the option to speak to an advisor before you decide | Online application or with a PolicyMe advisor; applications are subject to a health assessment |
| What to check | The issuing insurer, the final premium and the conversion and renewal terms in your offer | Conversion to a longer term within the first 5 years, or to lifetime coverage up to the policy anniversary nearest age 69; yearly renewal after the term until age 85 |
Sources: PolicyMe Term Life Insurance product information, read November 2, 2026. Emma: insurer count, online analysis and advisor access and T100 terms, read November 2, 2026. Product rules change, so confirm them in the offer you receive.
Which is cheaper, Emma or PolicyMe?
For $500,000 of 20-year term coverage, non-smoker, Emma's 2026 grid is lower than PolicyMe's published examples at ages 30 to 40. At 45, PolicyMe's examples are slightly lower. At 50, PolicyMe is lower for women and Emma is lower for men.
| Age | Emma (2026 grid) | PolicyMe (Sept. 2026 page) |
|---|---|---|
| 30 | $19.35 | $20.68 |
| 35 | $21.60 | $22.93 |
| 40 | $31.95 | $33.27 |
| 45 | $51.30 | $51.25 |
| 50 | $87.75 | $82.73 |
| Age | Emma (2026 grid) | PolicyMe (Sept. 2026 page) |
|---|---|---|
| 30 | $27.45 | $29.67 |
| 35 | $29.25 | $31.29 |
| 40 | $43.20 | $44.96 |
| 45 | $72.00 | $71.49 |
| 50 | $126.45 | $136.32 |
Sources: Emma 2026 term life rate grid, policy fee included, non-smoker at issue, final price subject to acceptance; PolicyMe sample rates from PolicyMe's term life insurance guide, updated September 9, 2026 (checked November 2, 2026), also compiled on our best life insurance in Canada comparison. PolicyMe does not publish an example at age 20 on that page. A published example is not a quote: your premium depends on your health, habits, coverage and term, and on the insurer accepting your application. Discounts and family benefits can change the gap.
How the term policies differ after you buy
The first premium is only part of the comparison. What happens at year 5, at the end of the term and at age 85 matters as much.
- Conversion: PolicyMe lets you convert, with the same coverage amount and no new evidence of insurability, to a longer term before the fifth anniversary of the policy, or to a lifetime policy up to the policy anniversary nearest your 69th birthday. The new premium is based on your age at conversion. With Emma, conversion rules vary by insurer and product, so read that clause in your offer before you sign.
- Renewal: PolicyMe's policy renews automatically every year after the term ends, until you turn 85, unless you cancel. Renewal premiums are not the same as the initial level premium, so ask for the schedule.
- Coverage amounts and ages: PolicyMe issues coverage from age 18 to 75, from $50,000 to $5,000,000, with a $100,000 minimum if you are under 51.
- Cancelling: PolicyMe describes a 30-day period with a full refund of premiums paid, then a prorated refund of any prepaid premium, with no cancellation fees.
When you need coverage for life
PolicyMe lists a Term-to-100 option and lets you convert a term policy to lifetime coverage up to the anniversary nearest age 69. If your need lasts for life, for example final expenses or an estate tax bill, compare permanent options from more than one insurer. Emma offers a T100 product. Note that Emma's T100 has no cash surrender value, so do not treat it as a cash-value whole life policy. Our guide to permanent life insurance explains the differences.
Do you need a medical exam with Emma or PolicyMe?
Neither service can promise in advance that no medical requirement will apply. PolicyMe states that every application is subject to a health assessment before approval. With Emma, the insurer you apply to decides what it needs based on your age, the amount and your answers. See no medical life insurance for how simplified and guaranteed issue policies work.
How to choose between Emma and PolicyMe
- Decide the amount and how long you need coverage. Our life insurance calculator guide walks through it.
- Get a quote from each service for the same amount, term and smoking status.
- Compare the issuing insurer, conversion and renewal terms, not only the first premium.
- Check that the product is available in your province.
Frequently asked questions
Is PolicyMe an insurance company?
PolicyMe Corp. is the distributor. Its term life policies are issued by Securian Canada, according to PolicyMe's product information page.
Is Emma an insurance company?
Emma distributes life insurance from more than 10 Canadian insurers. The insurer named in your offer issues the policy.
Who has better life insurance, RBC or PolicyMe?
There is no single answer for every applicant. RBC publishes term lengths up to 40 years and permanent options, while PolicyMe offers term from 10 to 30 years and a Term-to-100 option. Our best life insurance in Canada page compares their published prices for the same profile.
Can I compare an Emma quote with a PolicyMe quote?
Yes. Use the same coverage amount, term and smoking status, and compare the offers line by line. An online quote is not an approval.
Jacomo Deschatelets, CMO & Cofounder, Life Insurance Expert
Questions? Email us at editorial@emma.ca
Jacomo Deschatelets
Questions about this page? Email us at editorial@emma.ca
