Monthly Benefit
The amount that may be paid while you remain eligible under the policy.
Disability & Income Protection · Ottawa
Protect the income your life depends on.
Disability insurance can replace a portion of eligible income when a covered illness or injury prevents you from working under the policy’s terms. Your household and business commitments may continue while you recover.
How the cover works
Understand the benefit before you compare the price.
The amount you can insure depends on earnings, occupation, existing coverage, insurer guidelines and underwriting.
Plan around essential expenses and how long savings could cover them. Recovery may also bring treatment, travel or care costs.
Waiting Period
The period between the onset of an eligible disability and the beginning of benefit payments. This may also be called an elimination period.
Benefit Period
The maximum length of time benefits may be payable, subject to the policy terms and continued eligibility.
Definition of Disability
The policy explains how disability is determined. The definition may relate to your regular occupation, another suitable occupation or your ability to perform work more broadly.
Partial or Residual Disability
Some policies may provide benefits when you can work but experience an eligible reduction in duties, time or income.
Optional Features
Depending on the insurer and policy, options may be available for future coverage increases, inflation-related adjustments, return-to-work support or other needs.
Definitions, exclusions, limitations and claim requirements differ among policies. The policy wording matters as much as the coverage amount. An inability to work does not automatically qualify for payment.
Request a disability quoteStart with what you have
Find the gaps in your existing protection.
You may already have access to income support through an employer, government program, association or existing insurance policy.
Review these details together
Income and payment limits
Check the income percentage and monthly maximum, whether bonuses or variable earnings count, and how other benefits affect payments.
Eligibility and timing
Compare disability definitions, waiting and benefit periods, exclusions and pre-existing-condition provisions.
Tax and job changes
Confirm whether benefits would be taxable and whether coverage continues when you leave your employer.
Compare savings, benefits and insurance
- Emergency savings
- Covers immediate expenses. May be depleted during a long disability.
- Employer sick leave
- Replaces income for a limited period. Duration and eligibility vary.
- Group disability benefits
- May provide short- or long-term income support. Coverage may be limited or tied to employment.
- Government benefits
- May provide eligible support. Qualification rules and benefit amounts apply.
- Individual disability insurance
- May supplement or provide personal income protection. Subject to underwriting and policy terms.
- Critical illness insurance
- May provide a lump sum for a covered diagnosis. Does not cover every illness or inability to work.
Self-employed or a business owner?
Consider the business as well as your income.
Rent, wages and loan payments may continue when you cannot work. Depending on your business and available products, a review may include:
- Individual disability income insurance
- Business overhead expense protection
- Disability buy-sell funding
- Key-person disability protection
- Continuation of retirement or savings contributions
These solutions serve different purposes and may have different owners, beneficiaries, tax considerations and eligibility requirements.
Insurers may require financial records, evidence of earnings, occupation details and medical underwriting.
Explore self-employed coverageLegal, accounting and tax professionals should be consulted where business agreements, ownership structures or tax treatment are involved.
Disability insurance FAQ
Questions before choosing coverage.
Is disability insurance only for workplace injuries?
No. Depending on the policy, eligible disabilities may result from an illness or an injury. The cause, severity and impact on your ability to work must satisfy the policy terms.
What is the difference between short-term and long-term disability coverage?
Short-term coverage generally provides benefits for a limited initial period. Long-term coverage may begin after a longer waiting period and continue for an extended period while you remain eligible.
Is the benefit taxable?
Tax treatment may depend on who paid the premiums and the applicable tax rules. Consult an appropriately qualified tax professional about your specific circumstances.
What does “own occupation” mean?
An own-occupation provision generally considers whether you can perform the important duties of your regular occupation. Definitions and time limits vary significantly, so the policy wording must be reviewed carefully.
When should I review my coverage?
Review it after a significant income change, promotion, career change, new business, incorporation, home purchase, marriage, new dependant or change in workplace benefits.
Your income protection review
Bring your benefits summary. We’ll help with the details.
We’ll discuss your work, earnings and financial responsibilities, review existing benefits, and estimate the potential income gap.
Then we can compare suitable policy options, premiums and underwriting requirements.
Disability & Income Protection Areas We Serve
Income protection guidance in Ottawa and neighbouring Eastern Ontario communities.
Disability insurance products are subject to application, financial and medical underwriting, occupational classification, eligibility, policy terms and insurer approval.
Definitions of disability, covered conditions, benefit amounts, waiting periods, benefit periods, exclusions, limitations, offsets, optional features and premiums vary by policy and insurer.
An inability to work does not automatically qualify for payment. A claim must satisfy the applicable policy definition and requirements.
Website information is general and does not constitute individualized financial, insurance, medical, legal, accounting or tax advice.