Skip to main content

Your web browser is out-of-date. For the best experience, please update to a modern browser like Chrome, Edge, Safari or Mozilla Firefox.

Business-owned disability insurance

A lifeline for your business

Don’t let an injury or an illness derail everything that you’ve worked hard to build. Disability insurance can give you monthly income to help you keep your business running.

  • Monthly income

    You receive monthly payments.

  • Guaranteed

    Guaranteed rates for your coverage.

  • Personalized

    Customize your plan to suit your business needs.

What is business disability insurance?

A disability policy owned by your company can provide a monthly payment. It can help keep your business running smoothly and cover expenses if an illness or injury keeps you from working.

While a disability can often be visible to the naked eye, not all disabilities are so easily recognized. Chronic pain or a mental health issue can also qualify as a disability. 

How does it work?

  • Choose the coverage amount you want.
  • Add optional benefits to customize your coverage.
  • Pay the monthly premium.
  • File a claim if you become disabled.
  • Receive your monthly payments when the waiting period ends. The waiting period is the number of days from the date you’re disabled until the benefit start date.
  • Your payments stop when your benefit period ends or you return to work.

Get a quote from an advisor for disability insurance

Get a quote

Why do you need disability insurance for your business?

  • Your business

    Help make sure expenses are covered and your company runs smoothly.

  • Your company’s future

    Help make sure you and your business partner have a plan for the future.

  • Your partners

    Help provide funds to buy the other person’s share of the business.

What kinds of coverage can you get?

Whether you’re a small business or well established, there’s a plan that can help protect your company.

  • Business overhead expense

    The Overhead Expense Plan is a non-cancellable overhead expense disability insurance policy that can provide reimbursement of eligible business overhead expenses during total disability.

  • Protect your key people

    Use funds to pay debts and expenses to help keep the business going while you find and train a suitable replacement.

  • Fund a buy/sell agreement

    Insurance payout can help buy your partners shares or vice versa in the case of total disability.

Business overhead expense

Protect key people

Fund a buy/sell agreement

When does it provide benefits?

If you become totally disabled

If a key employee becomes disabled

If you or your partner become disabled

Who is it best for?

Any business owners with monthly expenses

If you or another person drives the business

Owners of privately-held businesses

How long does the coverage last?

Monthly payments for 1 or 2 years

Payments stop once you’re able to work 

Monthly payments for 1 year

Payments stop once you’re able to work

Single lump sum payment

Must satisfy waiting period of 1 or 2 years 

What are the benefits?

  • Focus on recovery

  • Retain valued staff 

  • Pay ongoing expenses

  • Avoid disruptions to your business 

  • Provide a source of income for a key employee while they’re disabled.

  • Protect the business from lost sales, increased expenses or high replacement costs when a key employee is totally disabled.

  • Provide funds to purchase the shares or ownership interest of a totally disabled shareholder or partner

  • Fixed expense protection  

  • Reassure suppliers and creditors

  • Fund a disability buy/sell agreement 

  • Helps reduce potential resentment among shareholders or partners

Do you need critical illness or disability insurance?

Depending on your situation you may need only critical illness and disability insurance but there are many times when you need both to fully protect yourself. 

Critical illness and disability insurance work together to help reduce the impact of disability or serious illness. 

Critical illness insurance
Disability insurance

Payment type?

Tax-free, one-time payout

Monthly income replacement

When do you receive the payment?

If you’re diagnosed with a covered condition

If you can’t work because of injury or illness

Do you have to wait?

No waiting period in certain cases

Usually will have to wait

How long does your coverage last?

Coverage for life

Ends at age 65

Ideal for?

A large sum that you can do what you want like paying medical expenses, mortgage and pay off debt

Covering monthly expenses

Get help with your Canada Life products and services.

Contact us