Long-Term Disability Insurance Companies in Canada

At Samfiru Tumarkin LLP, we help level the playing field. Led by former insurance-industry lawyer Sivan Tumarkin, our national disability law team brings years of industry experience to these disputes. We understand how insurers assess claims, challenge medical evidence and make decisions to deny or terminate benefits — and how to challenge those decisions when benefits should be paid.

Select your insurance provider below to understand your rights and what you can do if your disability benefits have been denied or cut off.

List of Disability Insurance Companies in Canada

FAQs About Canadian Disability Insurers

Why do insurance companies deny long-term disability claims?

Insurance companies can deny or terminate disability claims for many different reasons. A denial does not mean the insurer got it right.

Common reasons given for denying or cutting off benefits include:

• Medical evidence: The insurer may decide that the medical information doesn’t sufficiently show why your condition prevents you from working.
• The two-year change of definition: The two-year mark is one of the most important stages of an LTD claim. When the definition of disability changes, many people have their benefits cut off even though their health has not improved and they still can’t work.
• Surveillance and social media: Insurers can use surveillance or publicly available social-media information to question whether a claimant’s activities are consistent with their reported restrictions and limitations.
• Pre-existing conditions: The insurer may decide that a condition existed before coverage began and falls within a policy exclusion.
• Ability to perform other work: An insurer may conclude that you are capable of returning to your own job or performing another suitable occupation under the policy.

Should I Appeal a Denied LTD Claim?

Don’t automatically assume an internal appeal is your best option. An appeal can use up valuable time you have to take legal action after your disability benefits are denied or cut off.

An appeal can make sense when important medical evidence was missing or new information directly addresses the reason for the denial. But if you and your doctors fundamentally disagree with the insurer about whether you can work, starting a legal claim with a disability lawyer can be the better option.

Can I sue my disability insurance provider?

Yes. Your disability insurance policy is a contract. If your insurer wrongfully denies or terminates benefits you are entitled to under the policy, you can take legal action to pursue those benefits.

Insurance companies also have a legal duty to act in good faith when handling claims. Depending on the circumstances, additional damages can be available where an insurer breaches that duty.

Does My Employer Decide If I Get Disability Benefits?

Usually not. Your employer may sponsor the group benefits plan and help with paperwork, but disability claims are generally assessed by the insurer or claims administrator under the terms of the plan. The exact arrangement can vary by workplace plan

Don’t Fight the Insurance Company Alone

You do not have to walk away from the money you are legally entitled to. At Samfiru Tumarkin LLP, our dedicated team of disability lawyers handles cases across Canada (excluding Quebec), strictly representing individuals — never the insurance companies.

Independent Legal Information: This guide was prepared by Samfiru Tumarkin LLP as an independent legal resource for people dealing with disability insurance claims. Samfiru Tumarkin LLP is not affiliated with or endorsed by any insurance provider listed on this page. References to issues that can arise during disability claims describe general legal and insurance principles or circumstances that can arise in individual cases. They should not be understood to mean that every insurer takes the same approach in every claim. Your rights depend on your policy and individual circumstances.