By purchasing Disability Insurance, you are buying a monthly benefit, which will be paid to you if you become disabled. The size of your benefit will depend on your level of income when you buy the plan.

You will receive the first monthly payment after the elimination period. The elimination period (usually 60 or 90 days) is the time, which must elapse for you to qualify for benefits. YOU decide how long your elimination period will be. YOU can structure your disability plan to meet your needs because you also decide how long the benefit will last (the benefit period).

You should be aware that these decisions will be reflected in the cost of your plan. For example, the longer the waiting period, the less you pay.

How It Works
When you are sick or hurt, you will be eligible to receive benefits after satisfying the elimination period.

Benefits will be paid to you on a non-taxable basis as long as you are unable to work in your regular occupation (own occupation) or to your Age 65 (usual expiry).

If you become totally disabled while insured for this benefit, incur a loss of time from work and a loss of earnings, and remain disabled for longer than the Benefit Payment Waiting Period, you will be eligible for monthly disability income payments described below and no premium will be required for this benefit. Your disability, due to sickness or bodily injury, must require the regular and ongoing care of a legally qualified physician appropriate to the sickness or injury and must prevent you:

• For the first 24 months of benefit payments, from performing the substantial duties of your own occupation.
• From performing any gainful occupation for which you are or may become reasonably qualified by training, education, or experience, and which will enable you to earn at least 66 2/3% of your inflation-indexed, pre-disability earnings.