Compare Disability Insurance

Disability insurance, often called disability income insurance, is a form of income protection for a beneficiary. This beneficiary is yourself from the moment you sign up. In the event of disability, such as when an illness or accident prevents you from performing your job duties, the beneficiary can receive benefits. In other words, it is what allows you to have the necessary money to cover your usual expenses: rent or mortgage, car payment, food, leisure, savings, etc. This insurance can pay you up to 85% of your usual income.

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It all depends on how carefully you select your insurance policy… and what fate has in store for you. No one likes to think about the bad things that could happen to them. However, about 14% of Canadians report an inability to work. By examining the type of policy chosen, the expected duration of benefits, the waiting period and the indexation of the benefits, you will be able to determine if it meets your needs without being overpriced Don’t hesitate to ask questions to insurance companies before signing with them. A good insurer or broker should be able to advise you of the most beneficial option for your situation.

Only your contract will give you a firm answer to this question. In general, disability refers to the inability to work. Its definition varies from one insurer to another. Exclusions are very often written in the policy. For example, if you have a pre-existing condition, you might not be covered for that specific condition, or you may have to pay an additional premium. In addition, if you have different types of insurance, the benefits will be adjusted according to your situation as not to duplicate each other. Your insurer may limit the amount they will pay you based on what you already received from another plan. When you make your claim following an event, your broker or an insurance company agent will be able to explain what type of benefits you will receive. Once your claim is approved, you can use the money paid to cover any expenses of choice: daily expenses, bills related to your care, or mortgage payments.

You may have to pay tax on the benefits you receive from your insurer. This depends on your situation. If your premium, or part of your premium, was paid by your employer, union or association, you will pay taxes on the money received during your disability. If you have any doubts, your employer should be able to confirm how premiums are paid. On the other hand, if you have an individual policy and you have paid all your premiums yourself, you do not have to pay taxes on the money received during your period of disability.

Yes, there are different ways to do it. Short-term disability insurance is often included in the insurance plan offered at work. This type of short-term insurance provides benefits for up to 6 months in the event of illness or injury. You can get short-term disability insurance from your employer or purchase it individually. Short-term disability insurance comes into effect before long-term disability insurance. It is valid for a specific period that is calculated in weeks. If you do not have a short-term disability plan and your employer does not offer one, you may also be eligible for EI sickness benefits.

No matter the reason, if you are unable to work, disability insurance comes into play. Contrary to what one might think, it is not your doctor who decides whether your disability is covered by your insurance or not; rather, it is the insurance company. It relies on your situation and your contract to determine whether or not to accept your claim. However, there are also specific insurances for cancers. These can cover the amounts needed to cover hospitalization costs, short and long-term care, medications, etc. These coverages are not part of disability insurance and must be purchased through another insurance policy. While disability insurance helps cover the loss of income for working-age people, other insurance, such as long-term care insurance and critical illness insurance, cover health care expenses directly.

When a doctor confirms your disability, you can file a claim with your insurance company. They will review your file to decide if they accept your claim. If so, you will then receive a monthly payment to replace a fixed percentage of your income. During the waiting period, which is the period between the time of your application and the time the company makes its decision, you will not receive a benefit. This period is specified in the contract and varies according to your choice at the time of signing. Regardless of whether or not you have disability insurance, you may be eligible for benefits under government plans. If your disability was caused by a work-related accident, you may receive compensation from your provincial Workers’ Compensation Board. These might also be called Worksafe or or Workplace Safety and Insurance Boards (WSIB). If you are permanently disabled, you might be able to qualify for Canada Pension Plan (CPP) benefits provided you have already contributed to it. This will not prevent you from receiving your insurance benefits, but your insurer could coordinate these plans and therefore reduce the amounts it pays you. Another important consideration is whether your premiums will be waived during your disability. Check to see if your insurance plan says you won’t have to continue paying your premiums while you’re disabled.

Yes, you can buy disability insurance even if you have a pre-existing medical condition. However, you should expect to pay higher premiums. Some insurers may also deny your application, depending on the severity of your condition.

Mental health is not always included in disability insurance coverage. There are several types of exclusions to the insurance contract that justify a refusal to compensate you. General exclusions are present in most disability insurance policies and regularly target intentional acts of the insured (misdemeanors, felonies, etc.), as well as suicide, depression and the consequences of acts of war (sabotage, riots, etc.). Special exclusions may also be added to your contract, particularly, if you practice a dangerous sport or a risky profession if you have a known medical history before signing, back problems, professional overwork, etc. In short, certain mental illnesses may be excluded from your coverage. If this is a concern for you, ask questions and read your policy carefully

It all depends on your policy! Short-term disability insurance can be paid for a maximum of 6 months. As for long-term disability insurance, the benefit payment period will be extended depending on the agreement. Do you have insurance for 5 years of disability or 10 years? In some cases, benefits can be paid until you turn 65.

A disability can be caused by an accident or any other event that is not a critical illness. The two types of insurance do not overlap that much. You may still need disability benefits without it being due to a critical illness. Disability insurance replaces your income, while critical illness insurance may, for example, pay for drugs that are not covered by government plans. Critical illness insurance specifically protects you against the consequences of cancer, infectious disease and heart disease, among others.