Sun Life Disability Surveillance: What Claimants Need to Know

If you are receiving disability benefits through Sun Life, you may be worried about surveillance.

Many claimants are surprised to learn that insurers sometimes monitor activity as part of a disability claim — often without warning. Surveillance can feel invasive, stressful, and confusing, especially when you are already dealing with health issues.

Understanding how Sun Life uses surveillance, when it happens, and how it is interpreted can help you protect your claim.

Does Sun Life Use Surveillance for Disability Claims?

In some cases, yes.

Sun Life may use surveillance or investigations as part of a disability claim review. This can occur during:

• An ongoing long-term disability claim
• A reassessment after two years
• A review following new medical information
• A dispute about functional limitations

Surveillance is not used in every case, but it is a known tool insurers may rely on.

What Does Disability Surveillance Look Like?

Surveillance may include:

• Video recording in public places
• Observations of daily activities
• Monitoring movement outside the home
• Reviewing publicly available social media content

When Is Surveillance Most Likely to Occur?

Surveillance is more commonly used when:

• A claim is approaching the 24-month (2-year) review
• Sun Life is assessing “any occupation” capacity
• There are perceived inconsistencies in medical records
• A claimant travels or leaves their home regularly
• Benefits are being considered for termination

Can Surveillance Be Used to Deny or Cut Off Benefits?

Yes.

Surveillance footage may be cited when Sun Life decides to deny or terminate benefits. However, surveillance alone does not determine whether someone is disabled.

Insurers may use short clips or limited observations to argue that a claimant:

• Can perform sedentary work
• Has greater functional capacity than reported
• Is not totally disabled under the policy definition

This interpretation is often disputed.

Does Surveillance Mean Sun Life Thinks You’re Faking?

No.

Being monitored does not automatically mean your claim lacks merit. Surveillance is often used as a routine investigation tool, particularly during reassessments.

Many people with legitimate disabilities:

• Have good days and bad days
• Can perform limited activities occasionally
• Appear functional for short periods of time

Can Sun Life Monitor Travel or Vacations?

Travel sometimes triggers additional scrutiny.

If you are receiving disability benefits and plan to travel, it’s important to understand how travel may be interpreted by the insurer. You can learn more in our guide on Sun Life Disability Travel.

What Should You Do If You’re Being Monitored?

If you suspect surveillance:

• Continue following your treatment plan
• Be consistent with reported limitations
• Avoid exaggerating or minimizing symptoms
• Keep medical documentation up to date

If surveillance is referenced in a denial or termination, understanding how it was used — and whether it was interpreted fairly — matters.

Surveillance and Denied Disability Claims

Surveillance evidence is often introduced after benefits are denied or cut off.

In many cases, surveillance footage does not accurately reflect a claimant’s overall functional ability.

How a Disability Lawyer Can Help With Surveillance Issues

If surveillance played a role in your Sun Life disability claim, a short legal review can help determine whether:

• The surveillance was properly interpreted
• Medical evidence was given appropriate weight
• Sun Life applied the correct disability test

Understanding how surveillance fits into your claim can help you decide what to do next.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Sun Life legally conduct surveillance?

Insurers may conduct surveillance in public places, but how the evidence is used can be challenged.

Does surveillance automatically end a disability claim?

No. Surveillance is one factor and does not replace medical evidence.

Can I leave my house while on disability?

Yes. Disability does not require confinement to your home.

What if surveillance footage is misleading?

Short clips may not reflect your condition over time. Context and medical evidence are critical.

Speak With a Disability Lawyer About a Sun Life Claim

If Sun Life used surveillance to deny or cut off your disability benefits, you don’t have to navigate the situation alone. Speaking with a disability lawyer at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP can help you understand your rights.