Income replacement
Monthly benefits may help cover essentials when paycheques stop or are reduced because you cannot work.
Insurance
Disability Insurance
Protecting your income
Disability insurance may replace a portion of your income if illness or injury prevents you from working, after any waiting period and if you meet the policy’s definition of disability. Benefits and eligibility vary by contract.
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Educational information only — not personalized advice. No approval or payout is guaranteed.
Why people consider it
What it can help with
Workplace and government gaps
Group plans, EI, and workers’ compensation may not cover your full income or last as long as you need.
Waiting period planning
Many policies do not pay immediately. Savings or short-term coverage may bridge the gap until benefits start.
Longer benefit periods
Some contracts pay for a set number of years; others may pay to a stated age if disability continues — terms vary.
The basics
How it works
1
Choose coverage basics
You select benefit amount, waiting period, and benefit period based on general needs. The insurer explains what is available.
2
Meet the definition after the wait
If you cannot work as defined in the policy after the waiting period, you may submit a claim for review.
3
Ongoing claim review
The insurer may require updates to confirm continued disability. Payments stop when the contract says they should.
Before you decide
Key things to understand
Short-term vs long-term
Short-term plans often cover weeks or months. Long-term disability may last years or to retirement age, depending on the policy.
Definition of disability
“Own occupation” and “any occupation” wording changes when benefits may be paid. Illness and injury can both qualify when the policy definition is met.
Waiting period
Also called the elimination period — the time you must wait after becoming disabled before benefits may begin.
Benefit period and limits
Policies cap how long benefits last and may offset other income such as CPP or group disability.
Tax treatment
Whether benefits are taxable often depends on who pays premiums. Tax rules can change — this is general information, not tax advice.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Group plans may cover only part of your income, use a different definition of disability, or end if you leave the job. Many people review personal coverage to fill gaps — not a recommendation either way.
This page is for general educational information only. Coverage, definitions, exclusions, waiting periods, and claims depend on the policy and insurer. No approval or payout is guaranteed.
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