Disability Insurance for Self-Employed Professionals
When you are your own boss, insurance can be a bit of a confusing topic, but there are options for you. To get more information, we sat down and talked to one of our lawyers about what disability insurance is, especially for someone who is self-employed. Although you might have not thought about disability insurance for yourself, it’s always good to know that there are options.
Q: Why is getting disability insurance important?
Disability Insurance provides income replacement if you are unable to work due to illness or accident. Statistics show that you are more likely to be off work for a period of time due to illness or injury than dying in a freak accident or from natural causes at a young age.
Q: How much does the insurance cover?
Your level of coverage depends on two things: the type of insurance product your purchase and your income. There are all sorts of policies available through different insurance companies. You will usually have to provide some information regarding your current level of income as you generally cannot buy insurance for an amount that exceeds your current earning level. Most private policies include an option to purchase more coverage at regular intervals and you would provide updated information on your earnings that that time in order to qualify for the additional coverage.
Q: What are your options if you’re self-employed?
You can purchase your own private disability insurance policy. Private policies generally cover an individual, and in Canada, pay for benefits after a waiting period of usually between 30 and 90 days, or longer, depending on the particular policy. Depending on the size of your company and the number of people you employ, you may be able to obtain group disability coverage for your employees that would also include you. You may also qualify for coverage through an association, such as the Canadian Dental Association or Ontario Medical Association if you’re a dentist or a doctor.
Q: If I’m self-employed, is there anything I need to know before I sign up for private disability policy?
Private Disability Insurance is usually more costly than group insurance, but generally the type of coverage it provides is usually more valuable in that it often provides benefits if you are unable to work in your regular occupation (sometimes referred to as “Own Occupation” insurance). In more recent years, many of these policies indicate that if you are able to work in another occupation, you may not continue to receive the whole benefit, but if your income is at a lower level due to this change you may be able to claim partial or residual benefits based on working reduced hours in your own occupation or in another occupation.
The process of applying to obtain the coverage is more through than Group Insurance and it is important to be sure that you answer all of the qualifying questions accurately so as to avoid having your policy voided for alleged misrepresentation in the event that you need to make a claim.
Also, the claim process can be quite daunting and special care and attention should be made to completing these forms and completely and accurately as possible as well.
At Share Lawyers, we focus on keeping our clients comfortable and informed. If you have more questions, don’t hesitate to use our FAQs as a resource!
If you are self-employed and you’ve filed a claim that has been denied, or if your new claim gets denied in the future, contact Share Lawyers and put our experience to work for you. We offer free consultations and there are no fees unless we win your case. Find out if you have a disability case.
We have recently settled cases against Maritime Life, AIG, Canada Life, Reliable Life Insurance, Cumis, and many more. We love hearing feedback from our clients, so please share your own experience with us.
Denied your long term disability claim?
Contact Share Lawyers today and put our experience to work for you. Our 35+ years of experience can help you win your case against Canada Life, Desjardins, Manulife, RBC Insurance, Sun Life, and other insurance companies. We offer free consultations and there are no fees unless you win your case. Join us on Facebook and become a Top Fan for a chance to win each month.
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A note from our long term disability lawyers
Taking a medical leave from work is not an easy decision to make. Concerns about providing for yourself and your family and keeping your job may cause you to want to push through your pain, but this won’t make your problems go away. Stopping work is often the smartest decision for your long term health and well-being, and your disability benefits are there to provide you with financial support until you can return to work.
If you have made the tough decision to stop working and apply for your short term disability or long term disability benefits, you may feel overwhelmed by the process and have questions that your employer and your insurance company are not able or willing to answer. Share is There to see you through and answer your questions.
Our Disability law firm knows what you have been going through
We understand that things have not been easy for you over the last little while. Your health has been suffering, you are unable to work, and now your insurance company, who was supposed to be there in your time of need, has decided they will not pay your disability benefits or respect your disability claim. These benefits exist to provide you with the financial support you need so that you can focus on your health and rebuilding your life. It is unfortunate that your insurance company has not lived up to its promise. If your disability claim has been denied, we will fight to get you the benefits you are entitled to. Our disability lawyers have helped thousands of Canadians get their long term disability benefits over the past 35 years, and we can help you too.
Our experienced disability lawyers can fight back on your behalf
Share Lawyers believes that every client who is dealing with a disability claim deserves superior personal service. To achieve that goal, we have developed our team of experienced, compassionate, and caring long term disability lawyers, law clerks, and administrative staff to meet all of your needs. Our team of experienced long term disability, life insurance, employment, and critical illness insurance lawyers have made successful claims against many insurance companies, third-party administrators and employers.
If you are unable to work, your disability benefits should be there to provide you with the financial support you need. While your insurance company may be focused on finding ways to avoid paying your claim, our focus is on what is in your best interest. When Share Lawyers gets involved, you have an entire team of lawyers that are there to support you and to fight for what is yours.
Our disability claim lawyers fight for your disability insurance claim by relying on our many years of experience to apply the best strategic planning and approach in each case, using the latest technology available. Experience matters, and with Share Lawyers, you are in the best hands with 35 years of success on your side.
In this video, we explain the role of a long term disability lawyer and how we can support you when you have been denied your long term disability benefits.
