Best long term disability insurance in 2024 + free quotes

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Alexandre Desoutter updated on 13 February 2024

If you suddenly found yourself unable to work for a long time, or even forever, how would you manage financially? While the Canadian Pension Plan (CPP) and Quebec Pension Plan (QPP) offer some help, it's often not enough and comes with a long wait.

That's where long-term disability insurance steps in. Long term disability insurance is designed to cover what public benefits can't, giving you a lifeline by replacing 60% to 70% of your income.

Let's dive into the world of long-term disability insurance in Canada, explore your options, and find the best plan for you. Our free tool is here to help you compare plans and get quotes easily.

Long term disability insurance: Key Takeaways

  1. LTD insurance offers critical financial support for extended periods of work incapacity.
  2. Covers 60%-70% of earnings with options for untaxed income.
  3. Public benefits like CPP/QPP and EI provide limited short-term support.
  4. Comparing private disability plans is crucial for adequate coverage.
  5. A disability insurance lawyer can assist with claim challenges.

What is long term disability insurance?

Long-term disability or LTD is insurance coverage that pays out if you suffer from a permanent disability or are unable to return to work for more than 6 months.

A long-term disability insurance policy can have waiting times and upper limits tailored to your specific needs and can offer untaxed, regular income to help pay expenses.

If you are temporarily disabled due to an accident or illness, a short term disability benefit or a different type of policy can cover a percentage of your earnings until you are well enough to return to work. This percentage is usually between 60% and 70%.

Every insurer will have shaped their long-term disability policy slightly differently. Typically, however, a policy will cover you for between 2 to 5 years.

After this time there will be a medical reassessment to verify if you can still longer work or if there are other types of work you might be able to do. For example, a physical disability that prevents you from working in construction might not prevent you from working in an office.

If you think long-term disability insurance is the right choice for you, compare the best LTD insurance offers on the market using our free comparison tool below. Get personalized long term disability insurance quotes in no time.

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How do long term disability insurance Canada plans work?

Say that you are working but fall ill, or are unlucky enough to suffer a debilitating accident. If you use all of your allotted sick days and are still unable to work then you would activate your short-term disability. This is either a privately funded policy, one arranged by your employer, or the government-run EI.

These policies are designed to run for a limited time and cover temporary disabilities. EI short-term disability runs out after 15 weeks. Private short-term disability can vary between policies but typically does not last longer than 6 months.

After short-term disability runs out if you are still unable to work you still will need to look either to a government pension plan or private long-term disability insurance.

Good to know

So, in a nutshell, what does long term disability insurance cover? LTDs essentially pay between 60% and 70% of your former earnings.

Do you have public disability insurance in Canada?

Canada provides public disability insurance, encompassing Employment Insurance (EI) sickness benefits. This initiative grants short-term economic aid to those unable to work owing to health issues, injuries, or quarantine, serving as a supplement to additional public disability aids like the Canada Pension Plan Disability Benefit. For comprehensive insights, including application procedures, eligibility criteria, duration of coverage, and further details, consult our full guide on Employment Insurance Canada: EI Benefits.

What is the difference between long term and short term disability insurance?

Long-term disability insurance begins when short-term insurance or EI benefits end. LTD insurance typically covers permanent disabilities, that is injuries or illnesses that will continue to affect your ability to work.

Long-term disability distinguishes between whether you can return to the job you had previously and whether you can work any job. For example, a loss of mobility might prevent a return to manual labour but not a less physically demanding office job.

Short-term disability covers temporary conditions with the understanding that you will return to work eventually.

Types of disabilityNature of disabilityDuration of disabilityDistinguish between ability to do your job and any job?Provided by
Short-term disability
temporaryUp to 6 months Private or through an employer
Long-term disability
permanentAfter 6 months Private or through government pension plan (CPP or QPP)
Short-term disability vs long-term disability

What is group disability insurance in Canada?

Group disability insurance is a plan that provides coverage to a group of individuals such as company employees or a set group of members part of associations and organizations. If one of the named individuals on the group disability insurance policy can no longer work due to an injury or illness, the insurance will provide that individual with a replacement income. They offer both long-term and short-term coverage options.

How to apply for long-term disability benefits?

Long-term disability insurance can be purchased directly through an insurer or an insurance broker or online. Long-term disability policies can differ wildly in terms of contributions, upper payment limits, renewal, and waiting period. Some will ask for a second medical evaluation after 2 years, others after 5.

Finally, some policies will insure you in case you are unable to do your job, whereas others will insure you in case you can do any job. If you have a well-paid, high-skilled job that you are no longer able to do, the first type will compensate you while the second would not if you are still able to perform a lower-paid, low-skill job.

For all these reasons it is essential to identify your specific needs from a policy and shop around online to find the best deal for you. You can do it right here using our free comparator below.

Get a free disability insurance quote

Compare insurance quotes now

Do I need long term disability insurance?

If you are unable to return to work you will need a source of income.

If you have contributed to the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) or the Quebec Pension Plan (QPP) you may be eligible for the CPP disability benefit or QPP disability benefit. The average monthly CPP disability payment in 2021 was $1,064.80. It is worth noting that after retirement, the disability benefit from CPP roughly halves to a 2021 average of $524.64.

If these amounts sound too low to cover your expenses then perhaps a long-term disability insurance plan could cover the deficit and boost your monthly income.

Additionally, low-income freelancers may have made extremely limited contributions to the CPP or QPP. If you suspect that you might fall below the minimum contribution threshold then long-term disability might be a necessary replacement.

What does long term disability insurance cost?

Long-term disability insurance typically costs between 1% and 3% of your gross earnings. Rates will vary between companies and depending on your age, income, and how long a waiting delay you decide on before the policy kicks in.

To give you a rough idea of costs, the table below outlines quotes for different age and income profiles from a leading policy provider:

Age of insureeMonthly salary insuredMonthly premium
30
$2,500$37
30
$5,000$70
50
$2,500$69
50
$5,000$132
Disability insurance premiums by age and amount

What qualifies for long term disability?

The definition of a disability can vary between different insurance companies and even between different policies in the same company. Your symptoms, their severity, and how they prevent you from working are more important in qualifying for short-term disability than the specificity of your condition.

However, a diagnosis allows a doctor to create a treatment plan for you. Insurers prefer to have a clear diagnosis and treatment plan and may stop payments or even deny your claim if they do not see an attempt to change your condition.

Watch out!

Some insurance companies may hire private investigators to surveil recipients of large long-term disability payouts, especially if you are young. However, they can only surveil you in public spaces (whether physical or online).

Burn-out and stress are vaguely defined conditions that will require a strong diagnosis in support of an approved claim. By contrast, depression and anxiety are nationally recognized as disabilities and have clear definitions and treatment plans.

Here are some common conditions that may qualify for long-term disability:

  • Anxiety
  • Back Problems
  • Bipolar Mood Disorder
  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
  • Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
  • Chronic Pain
  • Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
  • Crohn’s Disease
  • Depression
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Heart Disease
  • Headache and Migraine
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
  • Knee Disorders
  • Lupus
  • Lyme Disease
  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • Neck and Cervical Disorders
  • Psoriatic Arthritis
  • Sleep Disorders
  • Vestibular Disorders
  • Visual Disorders

If you're denied claims, you can, of course, seek the help of a disability lawyer.

Who is a disability insurance lawyer and do I need one?

In Canada, a striking 60% of long term disability insurance claims are rejected, often including those that are legitimately filed. One frequent reason for denial is the insurer's judgment that the disability isn't severe enough for benefits.

Additionally, insurance companies sometimes rely on the assumption that claimants, burdened or disheartened, will not appeal their decision.

This situation underscores the importance of disability insurance lawyers. These professionals are adept at handling disability insurance claims and are instrumental in challenging and reversing unfair rejections.

Good to know

For a thorough understanding of the role and significance of disability insurance lawyers, their methods of operation, selection process, and fee structure, reading our detailed guide on long term disability lawyers can be very informative.

How long does long term disability insurance last?

Long-term disability begins once short-term disability runs out. If you are changing from short-term to long-term with the same company it will be a case of filling out forms to switch policies.

If you are changing insurance providers you will likely have to undergo another examination by a medical professional to certify that you are unable to work.

Policies vary between providers but after 2 to 5 years you will likely have to undergo another medical examination. This may determine whether you are unable to do any work or only the kind of work you used to do.

If you do not have specific insurance coverage for your type of job then you may have to get a different type of job that you are still able to do. These crucial differences between policies are why it is key to shop around online and find the right policy for you.

Good to know

You must know that coverage of plans might vary across provinces due to local laws and obligations. For instance, a long term disability insurance Ontario plan and long term disability insurance Alberta plan might not have the same coverage. It's best to therefore get personalized quotes.

Who pays for long term disability insurance?

The Canadian Pension Plan and the Quebec Pension Plan are paid for by your taxes. CPP and QPP benefits are distributed by the Canadian government. Self-funded private disability insurance is paid for by your contributions.

Is disability income taxable in Canada?

This depends on the type of disability insurance you have.

Insurance providerWho pays LTD benefits?Is the LTD income taxable?
CPP or QPP
Canadian government
Private LTD insurance
Insurance company
Group insurance plan
Insurance company
Employer-funded plan
Your employer
Taxable disability income

If you want non-taxable, secure disability protection that is not reliant on your employer's cooperation, you can use our comparison tool to find the best deal to protect yourself and your income now.

Get a free disability insurance quote

Compare insurance quotes now

What is the best long term disability insurance in Canada?

While the best plan depends on your individual needs, budgets, and constraints, here are some of the top disability insurance plans that offer comprehensive and diverse coverage options. These include RBC long term disability insurance, Manulife long term disability insurance, and more.

Insurance PlanTarget AudienceKey FeaturesCoverage and BenefitsGet a quote
iA Superior Program
(iA disability insurance)
Self-employed, business owners
  • Up to $10,000 monthly benefit
  • Nontaxable
  • Rehabilitation services
  • Premium waiver
  • Coverage during unemployment
  • Benefits for organ donation and death
Canada Life Independence Plan
Non-traditional employment, limited access to employer coverage
  • Renewable
  • Various waiting/benefit periods
  • Total/partial disability benefits
  • $500 to $3,000 monthly benefits
  • Special provisions like hospitalization waiver
Beneva
Broad range of occupational classes
  • Up to $72,000 per year
  • Combines with group insurance
  • Premium refunds
  • Renewable to age 65
  • Total or partial disability coverage
Humania Income Insurance - Accident and Sickness
Wide range including part-time workers, students, and retirees
  • Offers up to $10,000 monthly for total or partial disability
  • Choice of benefit periods, and waiting periods
  • Premiums guaranteed for the first 5 years
  • A monthly benefit of up to $10,000 for total or partial disability, with a choice of benefit period up to 65 years
  • Waiting periods of 14, 30, 90, or 120 days
  • Up to $1,000 per month for less traditional working scenarios
RBC Professional Series®
High-income professionals
  • Comprehensive benefits for total/partial disability
  • Non-cancellable, recovery benefit
  • Up to age 65 coverage
  • Healthcare profession rider
  • Retirement protector

Manulife Personal Accident Disability Insurance (long term disability insurance manulife)
Wide audience including unemployed and retirees
  • Accident and partial disability benefits
  • Hospitalization, and rehabilitation benefits
  • Up to $6,000 monthly
  • Customizable benefit periods and add-ons
RBC Quantum®
High-income earners (doctors, lawyers, etc.)
  • Income protection for partial loss
  • Return to work assistance
  • Benefit integration
  • Benefits till age 65
  • Various premium options
  • Family care and retirement riders
Humania Assurance - Accident
Those in employment (including self-employed and seasonal workers) and those not traditionally employed (students, homemakers, unemployed, retirees)A broad range of occupational classes
  • Coverage options include a monthly benefit of up to $6,000
  • Choices of waiting periods and benefit periods for customization.
  • Special conditions adjust benefits and definitions based on age and employment status after 70 or if unemployed for more than 90 days.

RBC Bridge Series®
Small business owners, middle-income earners
  • Total disability benefits
  • Return to work assistance
  • Renewable till age 65
  • Level premiums
  • Compassionate care
  • Occupation extension benefits
RBC The Foundation Series™ Policy
Small business owners, managers, tradespeople, farmers, middle-income earners
  • Total disability benefits
  • Flexible benefit periods
  • Return to work assistance
  • Non-cancellable to age 65
  • Medical Confidence™ service
  • Long-term care conversion option
  • Simplified application with just one health question
  • No financial documentation is required for coverage
  • Competitive pricing
iA Acci-Jet Program
Manual laborers, high-risk jobs
  • Up to $6,000 monthly
  • No medical exam
  • Premium waiver
  • Recurrent disability benefits
  • Coverage extension to age 75
Best long term disability in Canada

Other top plans also include TD long term disability insurance, Sunlife long term disability insurance, and Blue Cross disability plans.

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Alexandre Desoutter
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Alexandre Desoutter has been working as editor-in-chief and head of press relations at HelloSafe since June 2020. A graduate of Sciences Po Grenoble, he worked as a journalist for several years in French media, and continues to collaborate as a as a contributor to several publications.

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