Our 2024 Review on Desjardins' Critical Illness Insurance
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Discover the methodologyExperiencing a critical illness such as a heart attack or cancer not only affects your health but also poses financial burdens for you and your family. That's where critical illness insurance comes into the picture.
Critical illness insurance, like Desjardins Critical Illness Insurance, provides a lump sum to cover such immediate medical and lifestyle expenses. Deciding on the right coverage can be complex, and our Desjardins review offers insights into its various critical illness insurance plans, and pros and cons, to help you make an informed decision.
You can also use our free comparator to compare the best critical illness insurance plans in the market and get free personalized quotes right here in no time.
Desjardins Critical Illness Insurance: Key takeaways
- Up to $3M Benefit: Desjardins provides substantial financial support for critical illnesses.
- 26-Illness Coverage: Comprehensive protection includes 26 illnesses, various surgeries.
- Premium Return Option: Policyholders may receive a portion of premiums if they stay healthy.
- Executive Health Plan: Business owners enjoy tax advantages, dual financial protection.
- Family Discounts & Assistance: Desjardins offers discounts and valuable assistance services.
Our 2024 review of Desjardins Critical Illness Insurance
Desjardins stands out as a major critical illness insurance provider with diverse offerings. The coverage spans a wide range of illnesses and surgeries, and the option for personalized plans with up to $3 million in benefits provides flexibility.
While the basic plan offers a convenient phone application without a medical exam, potential policyholders should consider that online purchases are not available. Desjardins caters to families with family discounts and provides an Executive Health Plan for business owners, yet individuals seeking a fully online experience might explore other options.
Overall, Desjardins is well-suited for those seeking comprehensive coverage and customizable plans, making it a strong choice for various needs.
If you want to explore other critical illness insurance plans in Canada and how they fare against Desjardins, you can do it right here. Use our comparator below to compare the best critical illness insurance plans and get free personalized quotes in no time.
Find a critical illness insurance policy that's right for you
Pros of Desjardins Critical Illness Insurance
- Benefit of up to $3 million
- Up to 26 covered illnesses
- Return of premiums
- Coverage available for children
- Basic plan available over the phone and without a medical exam
- Customized coverage available through an advisor
- Tax-advantaged Executive Health Plan for business owners
- Complimentary assistance services - secondary medical opinion and psychological and autonomy assistance
- Family discounts
Cons of Desjardins Critical Illness Insurance
- Policies not available for purchase online
- Basic no medical exam critical illness policy limited to $25,000 benefit
- Basic plan's covered illness list is limited
- Medical exam required for personalized plans
Who offers Desjardins Critical Illness Insurance?
Desjardins Insurance is a subsidiary of Desjardins Group, the Canadian financial service and credit union giant. While it is most present in Ontario and its home province of Quebec, its services are widely available throughout Canada.
Desjardins Insurance is one of Canada’s best-known life and health insurance brands. They offer a wide range of other insurance products, like critical illness insurance, which we will take a look at below. After acquiring State Farm insurance, it is also one of the country's largest property insurers. Certas Direct Insurance Company underwrites all Desjardins Insurance policies.
Why should you buy Desjardins Critical Illness Insurance?
Critical illness insurance from Desjardins or another provider like BMO critical illness insurance gives you a powerful financial safety net should you contract a critical illness or condition. A serious diagnosis is likely to affect your ability to work while engendering serious expenses. These include:
- Medical costs and specialists not covered under a different policy
- Transportation to see specialists
- Chair lifts or ramps at home
- Therapy and counseling
- Retrofitting vehicles for accessibility
Besides these additional costs, you still need a plan for continuing to pay your rent or mortgage, child care, groceries, and other day-to-day living expenses. The flexibility of the large lump-sum benefit from critical illness insurance means that you'll have the ability to cover these bills as you see fit. You can take care of yourself and your family while focusing on recovery.
How much does Desjardins critical illness insurance cost?
Unfortunately, it is difficult to provide an accurate price range for Desjardins critical illness Insurance. Pricing varies widely based on the following factors
- Age
- Pre-existing conditions
- General Health
- Smoking status
- The amount of coverage desired
For general information, the table below summarizes the average price of critical illness insurance for various ages with a $25,000 benefit for the average provider. This is meant solely to provide a rough indication. Speak with an advisor for an exact Desjardins critical illness insurance quote.
| Age | Price per month |
|---|---|
| Under 25 | $7 |
| 51 to 55 | $27 |
| 56 to 60 | $44 |
| 61 to 65 | $56 |
Good to know
Need help deciding how much coverage to buy from Desjardins? Our critical illness insurance calculator can help you make an informed decision.
We recommend that you use our comparator below to get personalized quotes from Canada's best critical illness insurance providers. It's free to use and you get quotes in no time right here.
Find a critical illness insurance policy that's right for you
What critical illness insurance plans does Desjardins offer?
Desjardins critical illness insurance is available as three different products: Basic, Personalized, and Executive Health plan for business owners. Here's what they offer:
- Basic: This no medical exam policy offers up to a $25,000 benefit for those under 54 years of age, but only $12,500 for those between 55 and 74. It covers heart disease, cancer, and infectious disease.
- Personalized: Personalized cover offers benefits of up to $3 million while covering up to 26 illnesses. It is available for adults and children.
- Executive Health Plan: This plan is designed for business owners and executives. It is paid by you and your company and offers tax advantages. If you or a partner is affected by a critical illness the company is the beneficiary.
For more on Desjardins's critical illness insurance offer see the pdf below.
What illnesses and conditions qualify for Desjardins critical illness insurance?
The following illnesses and conditions may qualify a Desjardins policyholder for critical illness benefits.
- Acquired Brain Injury
- Aplastic Anemia
- Bacterial Meningitis
- Benign Brain Tumour
- Blindness
- Cancer (Life-threatening)
- Coma
- Coronary angioplasty
- Deafness
- Dementia (including Alzheimer's Disease)
- Heart Attack
- Kidney Failure
- Loss of Limbs
- Loss of Speech
- Major Organ Failure on the Waiting List
- Motor Neuron Disease
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Occupational HIV Infection + Long term care
- Paralysis
- Parkinson's Disease and Specified Atypical
- Parkinsonian Disorders
- Severe Burns
- Stroke (Cerebrovascular Accident)
Surgeries covered include:
- Aortic Surgery
- Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery
- Heart Valve Replacement or Repair
- Major Organ Transplant
Finally, childhood coverage is available for the following conditions:
- Autism
- Cerebral Palsy
- Cystic Fibrosis
- Muscular Dystrophy
- Rett's Syndrome
- Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus
Be aware that plans may cover fewer conditions than those listed above.
Good to know
Different insurers have different criteria for determining the severity of an illness or condition and whether it qualifies. If you have questions, it's best to refer to the policy documents and speak with your insurance broker or Desjardins advisor.
How do I apply for Desjardins insurance?
Apply for Desjardin critical illness insurance by calling 1-844-768-8436 or making an appointment on their website.
Before settling on an offer with Desjardins it's smart to compare critical illness insurance quotes from other providers like Manulife critical illness insurance, Sun Life critical illness insurance, and more. You can reach out to them individually but it might be a time-consuming process. But we have you covered.
You can compare multiple critical illness insurance plans right here using our free comparator below and get personalized results in seconds and find a plan that suits you best.
Shop critical illness policies now
How do I contact Desjardins?
Contact Desjardins at 1-844-768-8436 from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm ET Mondays through Thursdays. You can also schedule a call using the option on the website and receive information based on your convenience.
The website also gives you an option to "Fill out the form" that assesses your needs to help you figure out if critical illness insurance is indeed the right and best option for you.
