Private Plans
Not everyone is covered by a private plan. Some people are concerned enough to buy their own plans. However, most people who have such coverage will obtain it through their employment, where such benefits are part of the compensation package.
A lot of people may not even be aware that they have such coverage. Most unions insist on some type of benefit plan, and many non-unionized employers provide these plans for their employees.
Are you protected? A Toronto Star column provides some questions and answers on life and disability insurance
These plans are usually provided by insurance companies, and there is a wide variety of the type of coverage that might be found in such a plan. It may provide coverage for specified medical expenses, with percentage limits on what will be covered. There may be coverage for short term disabilities and often, long term disabilities. Life insurance is also frequently included.
Your rights depend on the specific terms of your plan. If you are covered through work, you probably received a plan booklet that will tell you what you are covered for.
Be sure to submit your claims promptly. If they are rejected, or only partially paid by the work insurer, you will need confirmation of this before the car insurer will pay the outstanding amount.
Disability insurance usually covers you for a period of time while you cannot do your own job. After a couple of years, the definition may change to disability from "any occupation", but the courts have interpreted such definitions as meaning jobs that are similar in pay and status to your original job.
What happens if you lose your job because your disability prevents you from returning to work? In most of these plans things like medical coverage will cease. However, disability benefits continue to be payable for disabilities that arose at a time that you were employed. You probably have a right to ongoing monthly benefits from the private plan insurer as long as you continue to meet the definition of disability.
It that insurer refuses to pay benefits you are entitled to, the usual remedy is to sue them in court for breach of the insurance contract.
