You are insured against dying. Are you insured against surviving?
Most Canadians have some form of life insurance. Far fewer have coverage for what happens if they get seriously ill or injured and survive. A cancer diagnosis, a heart attack, a back injury that keeps you off work for two years. Provincial health care covers the hospital visit. It does not cover the mortgage payment, the car loan, the kids' activities, or the fact that your spouse just lost half the household income. Living benefits cover the financial reality of a health crisis.
What most people assume is covered, and what actually is
Provincial health care covers hospital and doctor visits. It does not cover your mortgage, your car payment, your children's activities, or your spouse's lost income when they take time off to help.
Group benefits through your employer typically cap at 60% to 70% of base salary and disappear when you leave the job. The benefit is taxable if your employer pays the premiums.
EI sickness benefits max out at roughly $668 per week for 26 weeks. For most families, that covers a fraction of their actual monthly expenses.
Savings can cover a few months. A serious illness or disability can last years. Most families are not prepared for the financial impact of a long-term health event.
Two types of coverage that fill the gap
Critical illness and disability insurance serve different purposes. One provides a lump sum when you are diagnosed. The other replaces your income while you recover. Most families need both.
Critical Illness Insurance
A tax-free lump sum paid directly to you if you are diagnosed with a covered condition. Cancer, heart attack, stroke, and depending on the policy, 20 to 30 other conditions. The money is yours. Use it for treatment, mortgage payments, childcare, travel, or anything else. The point is that a diagnosis costs far more than medical bills, and this covers the financial shock that provincial health care does not.
1 in 2 Canadians will develop cancer in their lifetime.
Source: Canadian Cancer Society
Disability Insurance
Your income stops but your expenses do not. Disability insurance replaces a portion of your income, typically up to 69% of gross pay, if you cannot work due to illness or injury. For most working Canadians, the ability to earn is their single most valuable financial asset. A 35-year-old earning $100,000 will generate over $3 million in career earnings before retirement. Protecting that is not optional. It is the foundation everything else is built on.
1 in 3 Canadians will experience a disability lasting longer than 90 days before age 65.
Source: Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association
The questions people actually ask
I have benefits through work. Why would I need more?
Group disability coverage through an employer typically replaces 60% to 70% of your base salary, often with a monthly cap. It usually does not cover bonuses, commissions, or self-employment income. It disappears the day you leave the job. And the benefit is taxable if your employer pays the premiums, which means the actual replacement rate is closer to 40% to 50% of your take-home pay. For most families, that is not enough to maintain their standard of living.
How much critical illness coverage do I need?
A common starting point is one to two years of your gross income. The logic is straightforward: a serious diagnosis typically means reduced or no income for 12 to 24 months, plus out-of-pocket costs that provincial health care does not cover. Travel for treatment, childcare, mortgage payments, and lost income for a spouse who takes time off to help. The lump sum needs to cover all of it.
What if I have a pre-existing condition?
Underwriting varies significantly by carrier and condition. Some conditions result in higher premiums. Some result in specific exclusions. Some have no impact at all depending on when the condition was diagnosed and how it has been managed. We work with multiple carriers and know which ones are more favourable for specific health profiles. The worst thing you can do is assume you cannot get coverage without actually applying.
Is disability insurance worth it if I am self-employed?
It is arguably more important if you are self-employed. You do not have an employer paying into EI or providing group benefits. If you cannot work, there is no safety net. Individual disability policies for self-employed professionals are underwritten based on your income history and occupation class. The premiums are higher than group rates, but the coverage is portable, non-cancellable, and yours regardless of where or how you work.
See Your Living Benefits Gap
The Living Benefits Calculator estimates your disability income replacement gap and critical illness lump sum needs based on your actual income and expenses. Takes about three minutes.
Find out where you are exposed.
The Financial Snapshot maps your protection, income, debts, and family situation in about 10 minutes. It shows you exactly where you are covered and where you are not. No login required.
This information is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial or insurance advice. Coverage needs vary by individual and household. Not every product is appropriate for every situation. Consult with a licensed professional before making decisions.