Disability Insurance
Income for the months an employee can't work.
S+F Group Benefits sets up and reviews group disability coverage for small and mid-sized businesses across British Columbia. Disability insurance replaces part of an employee's pay when an illness or injury stops them from working.
It is the benefit most people assume they already have. Many think EI or WorkSafeBC will cover them. WorkSafeBC only applies to injuries at work, and EI sickness benefits are capped and time limited.
Few employees carry disability coverage of their own. Once a health issue appears, it is very hard to buy.
That makes the group plan the only income protection most of your team has. We make sure it works the way everyone assumes it does.
Disability claims are less frequent than dental or drug claims. When one happens, it is usually serious and it usually lasts.
Get the design right and a long absence is handled quietly. Your employee has income, and you have a clear process to follow.
Get it wrong and you hear about it first. An employee calls to ask why their payments stopped. Their short term benefit ended, and their long term coverage hasn't started.
Most disability gaps are built into the plan on day one. Nobody sees them until someone needs the coverage.
Group disability insurance pays an employee a percentage of their regular earnings while they are unable to work because of illness or injury.
Most group plans include both layers. Each one has a waiting period before it starts (called the elimination period) and a limit on how long it pays (called the benefit period).
Short term disability is written with a benefit period. Long term disability is written with an elimination period. The plan works when those two dates line up.
EI sickness benefits and short term disability cover the same event, so they are designed to run in sequence. When a group plan exists, it pays first. EI sickness benefits are reduced or not paid for any week the plan is already paying.
Every short term design choice, like how long it pays and when it starts, is really a choice about where EI picks up.
Employers with a qualifying short term disability plan can register for the EI Premium Reduction Program and pay a lower EI premium. Five-twelfths of the savings must be passed on to the employees covered by the plan.
To qualify, the plan has to meet federal standards on benefit level, duration, when benefits start and written notice to employees. We confirm your plan meets them when it is placed, before any claim.
Disability coverage is tied to earnings, and earnings change. A raise, a new role or a change to your pay structure can push employees past the plan's maximum without anyone noticing.
We review your disability maximums, dates and definitions at every renewal. If you want the wider picture of where group benefits costs hide, our guide, The Real Cost of Benefits in BC, covers it in more depth.
If you already have disability coverage, we start by reading your contract with you: the elimination periods, the benefit periods, the definition of disability and who pays the premium. Many owners are seeing these details for the first time.
If you are adding disability for the first time, we ask about your payroll and your team before we quote. The right design depends on what people earn and how long they could manage without pay.
You do not have to wait for renewal season to have this conversation.
Switching brokers doesn’t mean switching your benefits - and it starts with a conversation, not a contract. Here’s how it actually works.
01
Give us a call, send an email, or reach out through the form. No commitment - it just starts the conversation.
The easy part
02
A meeting or two where we learn about your team, your current plan and your pain points - and you get to know us. Trust comes first.
A conversation, not a pitch
03
We review your current coverage and design what works best for you - keep your plan, improve it, or rethink it together.
Built around your business
04
When it all makes sense to you - and only then - one signature makes us your broker. Your benefits never skip a beat.
You’re the judge
Canuck Roofing
We had switched over to S&F Benefits and we are extremely pleased with everything from the initial setup, to the follow-ups, to the whole team and all the benefits offered. They are always super speedy in their replies and very helpful. It has made dealing with our corporate benefits a breeze and a relief! We highly recommend Reena, Chad, and their whole team to any business looking to get benefits — you will be happy you chose them!
Coastal Key Mortgage & Realty Group
Over the years I’ve had the pleasure of working with the team at S+F Group for various insurance products, both personal and business. Their approach is refreshingly laid back, making the entire process stress-free and comfortable, without any pressure. Their expertise and knowledge of insurance products are next level. They’re not afraid to take the time needed to understand our needs while providing tailored advice and solutions. I have referred several of my clients to them, and each one has echoed my sentiments, praising their professionalism and the quality of service they provide. I highly recommend them to anyone in need of reliable and personalized insurance guidance. Their commitment to their clients’ satisfaction is evident in every interaction, making them a standout choice in the industry.
Will Wong
Our company have been partnering with S+F Group Benefits for over 20 years, and the bottom line is: all their staff is very friendly, but professional. The thing we like best is they are very quick to respond to our questions. We have been approached many times by other Benefits Company, but we’re staying with S+F as they have always taken time to show us what’s out in the market and explain to us the advantages and disadvantages of what they’re proposing. Highly recommended.
