What happens if you can't work tomorrow? If you're like most families in Vancouver, you're just one disability away from losing everything you've worked for.
Your mortgage doesn't care if you're injured. Your children's needs don't pause for your recovery. And that employer disability coverage that only pays 60% of your income? It won't even cover your basic expenses, let alone maintain the lifestyle your family depends on.
Income protection insurance replaces 60-85% of your income if illness or injury prevents you from working, ensuring your family can maintain their lifestyle and meet financial obligations during your recovery.
Unlike basic employer coverage, comprehensive income protection bridges the gap between your expenses and reduced income, protecting your home, your children's future, and your peace of mind.
"My work has disability insurance" is what we hear from 8 out of 10 clients initially. Here's what they discover:
Employer plans typically cover only 60% of income - Can your family survive on 60% indefinitely?
Benefits end when you change jobs - What happens if you need to switch employers during recovery?
Strict disability definitions - Many workplace plans only pay if you can't do ANY job, not just your current profession
Example: Sarah, a dental hygienist from Coquitlam, thought her workplace coverage was sufficient. When carpal tunnel syndrome prevented her from working, she discovered her employer plan would only pay if she couldn't perform ANY job. Since she could theoretically work a desk job, her claim was denied. Comprehensive income protection would have covered her loss of income from her specialized profession.
Most long-term disability policies have a 30-180 day waiting period. During this time:
Mortgage payments continue
Utility bills arrive on schedule
Grocery costs don't decrease
Children's activities and school expenses remain
The gap between becoming disabled and receiving benefits is where families lose their homes.
If your family depends on your income to pay the mortgage, you need income protection. Vancouver's housing costs mean most families live paycheck to paycheck, making any income disruption catastrophic.
Without employer benefits, self-employed individuals face the highest risk. Whether you're a consultant, contractor, or small business owner, your income stops immediately when you can't work.
Your livelihood depends on your physical and mental capabilities. A back injury for a plumber or carpal tunnel for a dental hygienist can end careers. Income protection ensures these scenarios don't end your financial stability.
When both partners work to maintain lifestyle and mortgage payments, losing either income creates immediate financial stress. Income protection for both partners provides complete family security.
The Truth: One in four people aged 15 and over will become disabled before retirement. Disabilities often result from unexpected illnesses, mental health issues, or accidents that seem to "come from nowhere."
The Truth: The cost of NOT having income protection is infinitely higher than the premium. Would you rather pay $150/month for coverage or lose your $4,000/month mortgage payment capacity?
The Truth: The average disability lasts 2.5 years. Even substantial savings disappear quickly when covering full living expenses without income replacement.
We understand Vancouver's unique cost of living challenges. Our coverage calculations account for:
High mortgage payments relative to income
Dual-income household dynamics
Professional licensing requirements
Cost of living adjustments
Unlike basic coverage that only pays if you can't work ANY job, our policies recognize that a surgeon who loses fine motor skills shouldn't be expected to work retail to avoid benefits.
We structure policies to eliminate waiting period gaps through:
Short-term disability bridges
Emergency fund recommendations
Coordinated employer benefit optimization
The Martinez Family - Coquitlam: When Maria, a registered nurse, developed chronic fatigue syndrome, her income protection policy allowed the family to maintain their mortgage payments and children's activities during her two-year recovery. "We kept our home and our sanity," Maria reports.
David Chen - Small Business Owner: After a construction accident left David unable to manage his contracting business, his income protection policy covered both his personal expenses AND key business costs, allowing him to maintain his company during recovery.
Covers 3-6 months of income loss (some policies up to 12 months)
Shorter waiting periods (1-14 days)
Ideal for temporary injuries and recovery periods
Coverage until age 65 or retirement
Comprehensive protection for serious, long-lasting conditions
Optional cost-of-living adjustments available
Covers business expenses if you can't work
Keeps your business operational during recovery
Essential for self-employed professionals and practice owners
While 70% income replacement is standard, Vancouver families often need more due to:
High fixed costs (mortgages, car payments, insurance)
Children's educational expenses
Healthcare costs not covered by MSP
May need private healthcare due to long waiting period for specialists
We analyze your specific situation:
Fixed Expenses Analysis: Mortgage, utilities, insurance, minimum payments
Family Needs Assessment: Children's activities, education savings, healthcare needs
Existing Benefits Review: Employer coverage, government benefits, spouse's income
Gap Identification: Precise calculation of coverage needed
Income protection premiums are based on:
Current age at application
Health status at time of application
Occupation risk level
Benefit amount and features
Every year you wait, coverage becomes more expensive and potentially unavailable if health issues develop.
Unlike life insurance, income protection requires extensive medical underwriting. Pre-existing conditions discovered after you apply can result in:
Coverage exclusions
Premium increases
Complete application denial
Deep understanding of local employment markets
Relationships with employers for coordination
Knowledge of BC government benefits integration
We work exclusively with insurers who have proven track records of:
Fair claim handling
Reasonable premium increases
Stable financial ratings
Broad definition flexibility
Our relationship doesn't end at policy issuance:
Annual coverage reviews
Life change adjustments
Claims assistance and advocacy
Policy optimization as needs evolve
Q: What if I have a pre-existing medical condition?
A: Pre-existing conditions don't automatically disqualify you. We work with multiple insurers who have different underwriting
approaches, often finding coverage with reasonable exclusions or waiting periods.
Q: Can I get coverage if I'm self-employed?
A: Absolutely. Self-employed individuals actually need income protection more than employees. We specialize in documenting income properly and structuring policies for variable income situations.
Q: How quickly can benefits start?
A: It depends on your policy. Waiting periods typically range from 90-120 days for long-term policies, but we can arrange short-term coverage or recommend emergency fund strategies to bridge this gap.
Your family's financial security shouldn't depend on hoping nothing bad happens. Every day you delay income protection is another day your family remains vulnerable to financial catastrophe.
We'll provide a comprehensive analysis including:
Current coverage gaps identification
Precise benefit amount calculations
Premium quotes from multiple carriers
Customized recommendation report
Don't let your family become another statistic. Protect your income before you need to.
Text or call (778) 655-3874 or Schedule Your Free Consultation Online.
Get in touch with a licensed income protection insurance professional helping Vancouver families find the best disability coverage. We work with all major insurers to find the best rates and coverage for you.
Serving all Metro Vancouver cities and entire British Columbia, Canada
We serve Income Protection Insurance Needs in Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, Surrey, Coquitlam, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, New Westminster, Delta, Langley, and surrounding communities.
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