Senior Data Scientist

PolicyMe partners with Wave. March 31, 2026 New collaboration brings life and critical illness insurance to small business owners. PolicyMe and Wave have partnered to give small business owners access to affordable life insurance and critical illness coverage. Together, they're helping protect entrepreneurs and self-employed Canadians protect their families and their businesses from unexpected financial challenges. How can small business owners get life insurance? For small business owners, securing life insurance has traditionally been complicated and time-consuming. Unlike employees who often have access to group insurance benefits through their workplace, small business owners typically need to navigate the insurance market on their own. Many put it off entirely, leaving both their families and their businesses vulnerable. This partnership changes that. Through Wave Perks, small business owners can now access PolicyMe's life and critical illness insurance products with a fully digital application process that takes just minutes to apply. PolicyMe's online process removes the need for in-person meetings, making it easier for busy entrepreneurs to secure coverage quickly and affordably. "At Wave, we've always believed small businesses deserve the same financial tools and protections as large enterprises. By partnering with PolicyMe, we're giving entrepreneurs access to insurance coverage that protects what they've worked so hard to build." - Adnan Glavas, Director of Strategic Partnerships at Wave Do small business owners need life and critical illness insurance? Running a small business comes with unique financial risks. Many entrepreneurs personally guarantee business loans, leases, and credit lines. Without life insurance for small business owners or critical illness coverage, these obligations could fall on their families in the event of serious illness or unexpected death. Unlike traditional employees with employer-sponsored benefits, self-employed individuals and small business owners need to proactively secure their own safety net. Life insurance and critical illness insurance provide that protection - ensuring personal assets are safeguarded and businesses can continue operating during difficult times. "Small business owners shouldn't have to choose between growing their business and protecting their family. Our referral partnership with Wave brings affordable, modern insurance to small business owners through a platform they already trust and use." - Andrew Ostro, CEO of PolicyMe Benefits of life & critical illness insurance for small business owners The new offering through Wave Perks is designed to help small business owners: * Protect personal assets: Ensure families aren't burdened by business debts or personal financial obligations in the event of illness or death. * Maintain business continuity: Access lump-sum payouts that can cover operational costs, payroll, or outstanding loans - keeping the business running during challenging times. What insurance options are available? Life insurance PolicyMe offers life insurance with flexible coverage amounts and terms ranging from 10 to 30 years, giving small business owners the ability to tailor coverage to their needs and budget. Coverage provides a tax-free payout to beneficiaries and can help cover debts, replace income, or support business continuity. Critical illness insurance Critical illness insurance provides a lump-sum, tax-free payment if you're diagnosed with a covered condition. These funds can be used however you need - whether for medical expenses, living costs, or keeping your business running. Wave supports entrepreneurs at every stage This partnership reflects Wave's ongoing commitment to championing small businesses throughout their journey, from starting to thriving. More than 300,000 small businesses rely on Wave for invoicing, payments, and accounting. Now, those same entrepreneurs can access critical financial protection with life and critical illness insurance through Wave Perks, alongside the tools they already use. Wave continues to evolve alongside the needs of the small business community, ensuring they have the resources to build sustainable, resilient businesses. Through this partnership, PolicyMe extends that support by providing accessible, modern insurance designed for small business owners. Together, PolicyMe and Wave are helping entrepreneurs build stronger, more resilient businesses. Small business owners can explore PolicyMe's life and critical illness insurance offerings, as well as many other offerings, through Wave Perks. Learn more.

The data comes from the 2025 Insurance Access and Affordability Study by PolicyMe, a Toronto-based insurance technology company, in partnership with the Angus Reid Forum.