RBC Insurance’s Portable Group Life and Living Benefits Coverage

Ontario is grappling with a severe shortage of highly skilled workers – recent stats indicate approximately 50,000 more skilled workers are needed.

A comprehensive group plan can help retain and attract skilled workers, increasing worker retention and your company’s profitability.

RBC Insurance has added life insurance to its lineup of Guaranteed Standard Issue (GSI) contracts. GSI coverage is unique in that allows the product to be underwritten as a group policy, but has the characteristics of an individual insurance policy.

RBC Insurance is the only insurance company in Canada to offer the GSI program for:

• Life insurance
• Disability insurance
• Critical illness insurance
• Long-term care insurance

Let’s take a closer look at the ins and outs of GSI coverage:

1. A simplified application is used – there is no requirement for full underwriting. This is a big advantage to individuals with health issues. Unlike traditional group plans, though, there is a 24-month pre-existing condition exclusion.
2. Each qualified employee is issued an individual policy. This is a huge benefit to the employee – traditional group plans allow employees to convert their life insurance coverage to individual coverage only, and the conversion is a limited to a select number of plans and is based on your age at retirement. The GSI plans are portable and the coverage is based on your information at the time of enrollment.
3. The amount of coverage you qualify for is based on the number of participants and whether the coverage is voluntary or mandatory. Therefore, smaller groups may not qualify and/or the amount of coverage may be limited.
4. Premiums paid by the employer are generally tax-deductible – but the caveat with this approach is that the benefits are generally taxable. When premiums are paid by the employee or added as a taxable benefit, any benefits payable to the employee are received tax-free.

Group critical illness coverage, whether in the traditional format or a GSI basis, can be particularly attractive to employers and employees because it fills the gap prevalent in most employee benefit plans. RBC Insurance’s plan provides a lump payment after the insured is diagnosed and survives one of twenty-one different critical illnesses.

The Group Benefits lump payment can be used for diverse purposes

1. to cover medical expenses not covered by OHIP
2. replace lost income
3. seek treatments outside Canada
4. pay down debts
5. avoid dipping into retirement plans

The bottom line – most people are not prepared for the emotional and financial challenges that come with surviving cancer or a heart attack. Critical illness insurance gives the insured additional financial flexibility so they can focus on their recovery.

RBC Insurance’s GSI programs offer an innovative approach to enhance existing employee benefits plans. The premiums can sometimes be higher for companies where most individuals are in exceptionally good health – not the best policy for a fitness studio group plan.

For more more details please contact us at 1.866.899.4849 or visit on-line group insurance quotes.