I was thinking about how to clarify with our readers the difference between life insurance carriers and life insurance agencies / brokers.

After getting on to some of the life insurance carriers websites, I was under the impression at first glance that I could buy insurance directly from them.

Let me clarify that you can't buy life insurance directly from the life insurance carrier, or life insurance company. They would be considered as life insurance wholesalers. The life insurance agency is the retailer who makes the sale and then coordinates the policy with the life insurance carrier.

All of the life insurance companies that we have listed on the menu are registered with the Canadian federal government. This is different from brokers who are licensed through the provincial government.

Also, there are some agents/ agencies that can sell life insurance for certain companies. These are called carrier specific agencies. These agents are well trained at selling one companies products.

There are other agencies that can sell for many different life insurance companies. They shop for life insurance quotes from many different suppliers to give the best quote for the individual.

So... when you're looking at websites for life insurance carriers such as Canada Life, Sun Life, Manulife etc, it's important to know that you'll still have to purchase your life insurance policy from an agent.

Life Insurance for Canadians.