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- Desjardins offers disability coverage through SOLO Disability Income and SOLO Essential Disability Income plans
- SOLO Disability Income offers monthly benefits of up to $15,000 with flexible benefit periods of 2 years, 5 years, or up to age 65 and waiting periods ranging from 30 to 730 days
- SOLO Essential Disability Income provides simplified underwriting and accident-focused coverage for a broader range of occupation classes
- Desjardins also offers Loan Insurance and SOLO Agriculture, providing disability protection for loan payments and agricultural producers respectively
Desjardins Insurance, part of Desjardins Group, a leading financial institution in Canada, offers life insurance, health insurance, as well as disability insurance. Its individual disability insurance is available in different plan options and pays a monthly benefit when an eligible disability resulting from an injury or illness prevents you from working. Desjardins disability insurance plans help you supplement gaps in a government plan, a group insurance plan, or other coverage.
Quick review:
- PolicyAdvisor ratings: 4/5
- Best for: Flexible top-up disability coverage for those who already have partial coverage
- Skip if: You want the most basic coverage and do not need flexible riders or customization
About Desjardins disability insurance
Desjardins disability insurance provides monthly benefits based on your income or eligible debt payments. Its flagship plans include SOLO Disability Income and SOLO Essential Disability Income. Depending on the policy, you can choose benefit amounts from $400 to $15,000 per month, along with flexible benefits and waiting periods. Desjardins also offers optional features such as partial disability coverage, future insurability, and more to enhance the overall plan coverage.
Key features of Desjardins disability insurance
| Eligible age |
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| Occupation classes |
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| Benefit amount (per month) | SOLO Disability Income: $400 to $15,000
SOLO Essential Disability Income: $500 to $6,000 |
| Benefit period |
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| Waiting period |
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| Survivor benefits | Available with only SOLO Disability Income plan |
| Other disability plans available |
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| Riders: | Available with SOLO Disability Income plan:
Available with Essential plan only:
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Who is eligible for Desjardins disability insurance
Eligibility for Desjardins disability insurance varies by the type of coverage and occupation class. The requirements for SOLO Disability Income and SOLO Essential Disability Income are as follows:
SOLO Disability Income:
To qualify, you must meet the following requirements:
- Age: 18 to 60 for level premiums to age 65 (T65), or 18 to 50 for level premiums for 10 years (T10)
- Occupation class: Eligible occupations range from 4A (doctors, lawyers, and software engineers) and 3A (office-based workers) to 2A (supervisors without manual duties and skilled technical workers), A (skilled manual workers without unusual hazards), and B (higher-risk insurable occupations), depending on the insurer’s eligibility criteria
- Work hours: You must work at least 30 hours per week and be employed for at least 40 weeks per year. If you work 35 to 39 weeks per year, the waiting period must be at least 60 days
- Part-time work: If you work 24 to 29 hours per week, you must be employed for at least 40 weeks per year, with a waiting period of at least 90 days
SOLO Essential Disability Income
SOLO Essential Disability Income is available to applicants in a broader range of occupation classes (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 5B); the occupation classes here are assessed differently. It uses simplified underwriting for accident coverage. Other requirements include:
- Work at least 20 hours per week and 35 weeks per year.
- Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
- Have no physical or daily activity limitations.
- Be within the applicable issue age of 18 to 69 for accident coverage and 18 to 64 for optional illness coverage
Types of Desjardins disability insurance
The two primary disability insurance plans that Desjardins offers are SOLO Disability Income and SOLO Essential Disability Income.
SOLO Disability Income
SOLO Disability Income is a good choice for those who want to replace their income if a disability prevents them from working. You can choose a monthly benefit based on your income, with coverage ranging from $400 to $15,000 depending on your occupation class. The benefit is paid tax-free during the benefit period you select, and premiums are waived while you receive benefits.
With this disability insurance plan, you can choose a benefit period of 2 years, 5 years, or up to age 65, along with a waiting period from 30 to 730 days. You can also customize your coverage with features such as partial/residual disability benefits, inflation protection, future insurability, return of premiums on cancellations, and extended regular occupation coverage.
SOLO Essential Disability Income
SOLO Essential Disability Income is a good choice for those who are not eligible for traditional disability insurance and want essential, guaranteed protection in case of an accident or muscle or ligament injury. You only need to answer three qualifying questions; no medical exam is required for accident coverage.
With this disability insurance plan, you can choose between 24-hour protection and non-work-related protection in case you are already covered by Workers’ Compensation. It also offers additional features such as accidental fracture coverage, waiver of premium benefits, complimentary assistance services, and more. Please note that coverage for illness is offered as an optional benefit.
SOLO Disability Income vs. SOLO Essential Disability Income
| Features | SOLO Disability Income | SOLO Essential Disability Income |
| Eligible age |
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| Occupation class | 4A, 3A, 2A, A, B | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 5B |
| Monthly benefit amount | Minimum: $400
Maximum:
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Minimum: $500
Maximum:
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| Definition of disability |
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| Waiting period | 30, 60, 90, 120, 180, 365 or 730 days |
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| Benefit period | 2 years, 5 years or to age 65 |
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| Premium structure |
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| Renewability | Guaranteed renewable to age 65 |
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| Survivor benefit | Pays 5 times the pre-selected monthly amount | N/A |
| Exchange privilege | Available during the first 7 years of the client’s contract | N/A |
| Annual policy fee | $50 | $0 |
| Riders |
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Other types of disability insurance offered by Desjardins
In addition to the disability insurance plans outlined above, Desjardins offers specialized coverage designed to meet specific financial and occupational needs. These include Loan Insurance and SOLO Agriculture.
Loan Insurance
Desjardins Loan Insurance can help protect eligible loan payments if a disability affects your ability to work. An eligible loan is generally a loan of $1,000 or more from a financial institution. It must be taken out by the insured person when the policyowner is an individual, or by the business when the policyowner is a business. To qualify, you must belong to eligible occupation classes and meet the applicable work requirements: work at least 30 hours per week for at least 35 weeks per year, 24 to 29 hours per week for at least 40 weeks per year, or 21 hours per week on a regular and continuous basis.
Eligible loans include:
- Mortgage or mortgage line of credit, including multi-dwelling
- Line of credit
- Long-term loan or lease for a car, motor home, boat or motorbike
- Credit card
- RRSP loan or any other investment financing (leverage loan)
- All other fixed-term loans with regular payments (with or without minimum capital payments)
- Business loans
- Personal, student and renovation loans
- Rent for a principal residence is also eligible
SOLO Agriculture
SOLO Agriculture is disability income coverage designed specifically for recognized agricultural producers who want financial protection if an illness or accident prevents them from working. To qualify as a recognized agricultural producer, you must be engaged in producing an agricultural product, hold at least a 20% share in the farm operation, and produce agricultural products that are not consumed entirely by you and your family.
The farm production intended for marketing must also have an annual value of at least $5,000. Like SOLO Disability Income, this coverage allows agricultural producers to include the amortization costs of major investments when calculating their insurable income.
What is covered in Desjardins disability insurance?
Desjardins disability insurance provides income protection and optional benefits that vary depending on the plan selected. Here is what is commonly covered under its disability insurance plans:
- Monthly disability benefit: Provides a tax-free monthly benefit. SOLO Disability Income offers $400 to $15,000 per month, depending on your occupation class and income, while SOLO Essential Disability Income offers $500 to $6,000 per month
- Flexible waiting and benefit periods: SOLO Disability Income lets you choose waiting periods from 30 to 730 days and benefit periods of 2 years, 5 years, or up to age 65. SOLO Essential Disability Income offers shorter waiting periods of 0, 30, or 120 days and benefit periods of 5 years or up to age 70
- Waiver of premium: Premiums are waived while you are receiving eligible disability benefits, helping you maintain your coverage without making premium payments during a disability
- Survivor benefit: SOLO Disability Income includes a survivor benefit that pays five times the pre-selected monthly benefit if the insured dies while receiving disability benefits
- Accident-related coverage: SOLO Essential Disability Income can provide coverage for accidents, with optional benefits for accidental death, dismemberment or loss of use, as well as accidental fractures
- Optional coverage: Desjardins disability insurance plans provide a range of riders that can enhance the policy’s base coverage. Some of the riders include cost of living benefit, return of premium on cancellation, future insurability option, and others
What is not covered in Desjardins disability insurance?
Some key exclusions and limitations of disability insurance coverage offered by Desjardins include:
- If you are unemployed when a disability begins, restrictions may apply to psychiatric, stress-related, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue conditions, while other disabilities may have a 90-day waiting period
- Benefits may not be payable while you are outside Canada for more than 60 consecutive days
- Disability benefits are generally not payable while you are incarcerated
- Disabilities resulting from self-inflicted injuries, impairment, HIV, and certain subjective symptoms may not be covered
Pros and cons of Desjardins disability insurance
What is the cost of Desjardins disability insurance?
The cost of Desjardins disability insurance for a $5,000 monthly benefit ranges from $61 to $294 per month for 4A occupation class. For the same coverage but 3A occupation class, the cost ranges from $67 to $332 per month. The difference in the costs reflects how occupation class affects pricing.
Desjardins disability insurance cost (2026):
| Age (in years) | $5,000 monthly benefit (4A) | $5,000 monthly benefit (3A) |
| 30 | $61.07/month | $67.95/month |
| 40 | $104.18/month | $115.79/month |
| 50 | $196.20/month | $228.24/month |
| 60 | $294.03/month | $332.10/month |
*Illustrative cost for a non-smoker male in good health, with a $5,000 monthly benefit, 90-day waiting period, and coverage to age 65
Cost of Desjardins disability insurance
*Illustrative monthly premiums shown in Canadian dollars (CAD) for a $5,000 monthly disability benefit. Rates vary by age, occupation class, health, waiting period, benefit period, riders, underwriting, and other policy factors. Actual premiums may differ.
What are the riders available with Desjardins disability insurance?
Some of the riders available with Desjardins disability insurance include cost of living benefit, partial disability benefits, residual disability benefit, return of premium on cancellation, future insurability option, regular occupation period extender, accidental death, dismemberment or loss of use, and accidental fracture. Here’s an overview of these riders:
What it does
This rider helps protect the purchasing power of your disability benefits if total or residual disability continues for more than 12 consecutive months
What it does
You may qualify as partially disabled if, due to an accident or illness, you cannot perform at least one of the main duties of your regular occupation or cannot work at least 50% of the time you normally spend working in that occupation. During a partial disability, Desjardins pays 50% of the monthly disability benefit payable under the policy
What it does
This benefit provides a monthly amount based on the insured’s loss of income when a disability reduces their earnings. The loss of income must be at least 20% of the income earned before the disability
What it does
This rider can provide a return of 50% of the premiums paid, minus any monthly amounts paid under the policy, if the policy is cancelled on an eligible surrender date. The issue age for this rider is between 18 and 55 years
What it does
This rider allows you to increase your disability coverage in the future, without having to provide new medical evidence for the additional coverage. The increase is available at each policy anniversary up to age 55, and you must not be disabled when increasing the coverage
What it does
This coverage extends the period during which total disability is assessed based on your regular occupation beyond the standard 24-month period. Depending on the option selected, the regular-occupation definition can continue for up to five years or until age 65
What it does
It is available only with the SOLO Essential Disability Income plan and provides an additional insurance amount if the insured dies from an accidental cause or loses one or more limbs or their sight as a result of an accident. The death or loss must occur within 365 days of the accident
What it does
This is also only available with SOLO Essential Disability Income and provides an additional insurance amount if the insured suffers a qualifying fracture or complete severance due to an accident. The fracture must be diagnosed within 30 days of the accident. If multiple fractures or severances result from the same accident, Desjardins pays the benefit for the one with the highest applicable amount
What is the replacement occupation definition in Desjardins disability insurance?
Desjardins disability insurance plans use the replacement occupation definition to determine whether you can reasonably work in another occupation after becoming totally disabled. A replacement occupation is one that you are qualified to perform and that could provide at least 60% of the gross annual income you earned when you became totally disabled. Desjardins takes into account your education, training, and experience, but does not consider whether the occupation is available in your local area of residence or not.
What is the exchange privilege with Desjardins disability insurance?
Desjardins offers an exchange privilege during the first seven years of the contract, allowing you to exchange your SOLO Disability Income coverage for SOLO Loan coverage, or vice versa. The exchange is based on the insured’s age at issue and can be completed without new evidence of insurability, provided the exchange is made before age 60. This privilege does not apply to the SOLO Essential plan.
Can I get complimentary assistance services with Desjardins disability insurance?
Yes, Desjardins disability insurance may include complimentary assistance services with its disability insurance plans. These services include:
- 24/7 phone assistance: You can access assistance services at any time by phone.
- Second medical opinion: Specialist physicians can provide a second opinion on a diagnosis, treatment plan, or proposed surgery for any medical condition, even if the condition is not covered under the disability insurance contract
Assistance services are not a contractual obligation of Desjardins Insurance.
How does Desjardins compare to other disability insurance providers in Canada?
Desjardins offers disability insurance options for individual income protection and loan protection, with features such as partial and residual disability benefits, flexible benefit periods, and optional riders. Its SOLO Disability Income plan also offers coverage options designed to protect income when an illness or injury prevents you from working, with features that can be tailored to your occupation and coverage needs. Read our guide on best disability insurance companies in Canada to compare Desjardins with other leading providers.
Our advisor’s take on Desjardins disability insurance
One of our expert advisors recently helped a 35-year-old self-employed professional compare disability insurance options. She wanted coverage that could protect her income if she became unable to work while also providing support if a disability reduced her ability to work rather than preventing her from working entirely.
Client profile:
- Age: 35-year-old non-smoking female
- Coverage need: Long-term disability income protection
- Primary concern: Protecting income from both total and partial disabilities
- Our comparison: We reviewed Desjardins alongside other leading insurers, focusing on how each policy defines disability, handles partial and residual disabilities, sets benefit periods and waiting periods, and allows coverage to be customized. Desjardins offered a combination of income protection features that aligned well with her coverage needs
Why we recommended Desjardins:
- SOLO Disability Income provides partial and residual disability options, giving her more ways to protect income if she could continue working but experienced reduced capacity or earnings
- Offers riders and features such as cost-of-living protection, future insurability, regular occupation period extension, and return of premium on cancellation
- It may include complimentary assistance services, such as second medical opinions, depending on the coverage
How to buy Desjardins disability insurance?
If you are considering Desjardins disability insurance, our advisors can help you compare the coverage with other options and complete the application process. Here’s how to get started:
- Determine your coverage needs: Consider your income, occupation, monthly expenses, existing insurance, and how much income you would need to replace if you could not work
- Speak with our licensed advisor: Share details about your occupation, income, and financial needs. Our advisors can explain Desjardins’ coverage options and recommend plans that may suit your situation
- Compare available plans: Compare Desjardins with other disability insurance providers based on premiums, disability definitions, waiting and benefit periods, coverage features, and available riders
- Apply for coverage: Once you select a policy, complete the application and provide the information required for underwriting. Before the policy is issued, review the coverage details, exclusions, and terms
Schedule a call now to get a Desjardins disability insurance quote!
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Desjardins disability insurance cost?
The cost of Desjardins disability insurance depends on factors such as your age, occupation class, coverage amount, waiting period, benefit period, and health. For example, a $5,000 monthly benefit with a 90-day waiting period and coverage to age 65 can cost approximately $61 to $294 per month for a 4A occupation class under SOLO Disability Income.
Does Desjardins offer long-term disability insurance?
Yes, Desjardins offers coverage for long-term disability insurance. It offers disability coverage options with benefits payable for five years or up to age 65 or 70, depending on the plan, so that you can get coverage for an extended period of time.
What is the difference between SOLO Disability Income and SOLO Essential Disability Income?
SOLO Disability Income is designed primarily for income replacement and offers more extensive customization, including benefit periods up to age 65, higher coverage limits for some occupation classes, and multiple optional riders. SOLO Essential Disability Income has broader occupation eligibility and uses simplified underwriting, with accident coverage guaranteed if you meet three qualifying questions, with no medical exam required. Illness coverage is available as an optional benefit under the Essential plan.
How much disability coverage can I get from Desjardins?
Desjardins disability insurance provides monthly benefits ranging from $400 to $15,000, depending on the plan and occupation class. SOLO Disability Income offers the highest coverage amounts for 4A occupation classes. SOLO Essential Disability Income offers $500 to $6,000 per month.
Does Desjardins disability insurance cover residual disability?
Yes, a residual disability benefit is available under SOLO Disability Income. This optional coverage provides a benefit when a disability causes at least a 20% loss of income.
Can I customize my Desjardins disability insurance policy?
Yes, both SOLO Disability Income and SOLO Essential Disability Income allow you to customize coverage through different waiting and benefit periods and optional riders. Depending on the plan, you can add features such as cost-of-living protection, partial or residual disability benefits, future insurability, regular occupation period extension, and return of premium on cancellation.
How long can Desjardins disability insurance pay benefits?
The benefit period depends on the plan selected. SOLO Disability Income offers benefit periods of 2 years, 5 years, or to age 65. SOLO Essential Disability Income can provide benefits for 5 years or up to age 70, although the benefit period is reduced to 24 months after age 68.
Desjardins disability insurance provides monthly income protection of up to $15,000 for eligible illnesses and injuries. Its SOLO Disability Income and Essential plans offer different eligibility requirements, waiting and benefit periods, and optional riders. The optional coverage can include partial and residual disability benefits, future insurability, cost of living protection, and a few other riders.
