- Victor group benefits premiums typically start at $300 per employee monthly, with employers required to contribute minimum 50%
- Unique Cost Plus program, dual spending accounts, AdvanceCare benefits, and Multiple Event Coverage set Victor apart
- The core group insurance from Victor package includes life insurance, AD&D, dependent coverage plus two additional benefits from disability/health/dental options
- Digital services include Maple Virtual Care, LifeSpeak wellness platform, WorldCare second opinions, and Victor Central technology
- Coverage extends to age 85 for 3+ employee groups with flexible participation requirements and grandfathering options
- About Victor Insurance
- Who should consider Victor Insurance?
- Victor Insurance group benefits types and coverage options
- Who is eligible for Victor’s group benefits plan?
- What is the cost of group insurance from Victor?
- What we like about Victor's group benefits plan
- What are the pros and cons of Victor’s group insurance plans?
- Frequently asked questions
Victor Insurance Managers Inc. is a leading insurance manager in Canada, known for offering flexible and customizable group insurance solutions. Rather than underwriting insurance directly, Victor designs plans by partnering with established insurers. This approach allows them to combine best-in-class coverage from multiple providers into one tailored solution.
Victor is especially well-regarded for its flexible, customizable benefits for diverse businesses (including solo entrepreneurs), and integration with cost-effective wellness options.
In this review, we’ll walk through Victor’s group insurance plan offerings, pricing, and pros and cons to help business owners determine if Victor Insurance is the right choice for their team.
About Victor Insurance
Victor Insurance Canada (formerly ENCON Group Inc.) is a Canadian managing general agent headquartered in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, with additional offices in Mississauga and Edmonton.
As a leading managing general agent (MGA) in Canada, Victor Insurance has built a reputation for delivering specialized insurance solutions through independent brokers and advisors.
The company specializes in group benefits for micro and small businesses, including groups with as few as one employee. Victor stands out for its flexibility, multi-carrier pricing, and robust plan design options that cover life, health, dental, disability, and wellness benefits.
The company’s approach is notably nimble and adaptable, positioning itself as a modern insurance provider that combines decades of experience with innovative solutions for today’s business challenges.
Who should consider Victor Insurance?
Victor Insurance group benefits are best suited for Canadian businesses seeking tailored coverage, expert guidance, and value-added options beyond standard group plans. Their offerings align well with firms that need specialized protection or plan flexibility, but may not be ideal for all business types.
Victor group insurance is suited for:
- Professional service firms: Engineers, architects, consultants, and other professionals who may also require bundled professional liability coverage
- Construction and trade companies: Businesses that can benefit from Victor’s niche expertise in construction insurance and contractor-focused solutions
- Growing small businesses: Companies looking to scale with competitive, customizable benefits to support recruitment and retention
- Wellness-focused employers: Organizations prioritizing employee wellbeing with access to health and wellness spending accounts and modern plan designs
- Multi-provincial employers: Companies operating across Canada that require consistent coverage adaptable to varying provincial health systems
Victor Insurance group benefits types and coverage options
Victor Insurance provides a broad range of group benefits to help employers protect their teams’ health, income, and wellbeing. Their plans are designed to be flexible and comprehensive, supporting businesses of all sizes. This includes essential coverage like life and health insurance, as well as enhanced offerings such as:
- Short- and long-term disability
- Critical illness protection
- Dental and vision care
- Health and wellness spending accounts
- Executive benefits
- Employee assistance programs (EAP)
Group benefits offered by Victor Insurance
Benefit | Key features |
Life Insurance |
|
Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) |
|
Weekly Indemnity (Short-Term Disability) |
|
Long-Term Disability |
|
Critical Illness Insurance |
|
Extended Health Care |
|
Dental Care |
|
Health Care Spending Account (HCSA) |
|
Wellness Spending Account (WSA) |
|
Executive and Cost Plus Benefits |
|
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) |
|
What are the different kinds of flexible spending accounts offered by Victor?
Victor offers two spending account options, Health Care Spending Accounts (HCSA) and Wellness Spending Accounts (WSA).
Health Care Spending Account (HCSA):
- Covers health and dental expenses not covered by the group plan
- Must qualify as medical expense tax credit under Income Tax Act
- Rolling contributions (unused amounts roll over one year)
- Auto-coordination with regular claims available
Wellness Spending Account (WSA):
- Covers personal wellness expenses
- Includes fitness memberships, running shoes, and childcare costs
- Estate planning and legal fees are eligible
- Taxable benefit reported on T4
- No rollover – unused amounts forfeited annually
Executive Benefits Program:
- Combination of HCSA and WSA for executive teams
- Flexible annual allocation
- Promotes a comprehensive wellness approach
Who is eligible for Victor’s group benefits plan?
Victor Insurance offers flexible group benefits that can accommodate businesses of all sizes, starting with just one full-time employee. Their eligibility criteria are designed to ensure accessibility while maintaining plan sustainability. Key requirements include:
Employee eligibility:
- Must reside in Canada
- Provincial health care coverage required
- Actively at work on coverage commencement date
- Employed and paid for services rendered
- Minimum 20 hours per week on permanent, full-time basis
- Excludes temporary employees and non-employee directors
Participation requirements:
- 1-9 employees: 100% participation required
- 10+ employees with employee premium contribution: 75% participation required
- Spousal waiver accommodation: 50% minimum participation after waivers
- Employer must contribute at least 50% of premiums
What is the cost of group insurance from Victor?
Victor’s cost of group benefits is competitive for small businesses and startups, especially for groups with 1–9 employees. Premiums for a comprehensive employee benefits plan starts at $300 per employee.
Here’s a sample quote for a single employee in Ontario:
Cost of group insurance by Victor Insurance
Coverage | Monthly premium |
Life + AD&D | $15 |
Extended Health + Vision | $90 |
Dental (Basic + Major) | $70 |
Short-Term Disability | $65 |
Long-Term Disability | $60 |
Total | $300 |
Note: Premiums are based on demographics, coverage levels, and location. Optional benefits like Critical Illness or HCSA are additional and customizable.
What we like about Victor’s group benefits plan
Victor Insurance stands out in Canada’s group benefits market with innovative features and flexible options that go beyond what traditional carriers typically offer.
Here’s what makes their program impressive to our experienced employee benefits advisors at PolicyAdvisor:
Innovative spending account design
Victor’s dual account setup offers uncommon flexibility:
- Health Care Spending Account (HCSA): Contributions roll forward for 12 months — a rare feature in the market
- Wellness Spending Account (WSA): Covers lifestyle expenses such as fitness, footwear, childcare, estate planning, and legal fees
- Executive Benefits: Combines HCSA and WSA for leadership teams, promoting total wellness beyond standard medical coverage
Advanced critical illness protection
Victor’s group critical illness plan offers features rarely seen in Canadian group insurance:
- AdvanceCare Benefit: Pays 10% for early-stage diagnoses like angioplasty and early-stage cancer
- Multiple Event Coverage: Employees can claim for unrelated conditions across 9 illness groupings
- Coverage: 31 conditions total (25 standard + 6 child-specific), with conversion up to $100,000
Strong virtual health ecosystem
Victor integrates leading digital health tools into its benefits experience:
- Maple Virtual Care: 24/7 access to doctors for prescriptions and health advice
- LifeSpeak: Expert-led wellness and personal development video library
- WorldCare: Global second opinion service from top-ranked medical institutions
- LifeWorks EAP: A full employee support and wellness platform with HR tools and incentive programs
Flexible Cost Plus option
Victor’s Cost Plus program is more accessible and generous than most:
- Uses pre-tax corporate funds instead of employee income
- Covers otherwise ineligible expenses with unlimited maximums
- Claims don’t affect the group’s overall experience rating
- Available even without core health and dental coverage
Extended coverage ages
Victor allows group insurance extensions well beyond industry norms:
- Benefits extend to age 85 for groups with 3+ employees (vs. typical cutoff at 65–70)
- Applies to Life, AD&D, Critical Illness, Health, and Dental
- Ideal for employers with older workforces or senior talent retention goals
Employment Insurance savings
Victor’s Weekly Indemnity plan qualifies for EI Premium reductions:
- Meets government criteria for automatic EI premium savings.
- Helps employers reduce payroll costs without added admin.
- Seamless integration with standard benefit configurations.
Medical travel coverage
A unique feature for employees needing specialized care:
- Covers treatment and travel costs for services over 500 km away
- Includes one companion’s expenses
- Valuable for remote workers or employees accessing out-of-province treatment
Comprehensive paramedical benefits
Victor goes further with paramedical coverage than many competitors:
- Covers 9 different practitioner types (e.g., massage, naturopathy, acupuncture).
- Integrated claims processing for simplicity.
Centralized digital platform
Victor Central provides plan administrators and employees with a seamless digital experience:
- Enrollment dashboard for easy onboarding
- Integrated claims submission and tracking
- Educational content and direct links to health service partners like Maple, The Health Depot, and Inkblot
Survivor support benefits
Victor offers meaningful support in the event of an employee’s death:
- 24 months of continued dependent coverage (premium-free)
- 3-month survivor payout for Long-Term Disability claimants
- Applies across both Health and Dental benefits
Grandfathering protections
For employers switching from another insurer, Victor offers robust grandfathering options:
- Covers Life (Basic, Optional, Spousal), LTD, and Critical Illness
- Helps ensure smooth transitions without coverage loss
What are the pros and cons of Victor’s group insurance plans?
Victor’s group benefits plan combines the reliability of a seasoned insurer with forward-thinking features that appeal to modern businesses. From dual spending accounts to extended age coverage and virtual care, Victor delivers robust and innovative solutions. However, like any provider, there are some limitations businesses should be aware of before committing.
Pros and cons of Victor’s group insurance plans
Pros | Cons |
Broad benefits ranging from basic life insurance to wellness spending accounts | Smaller scale compared to major insurers like Manulife or Sun Life, which may impact brand recognition and perceived stability |
Modular structure lets businesses customize add-ons beyond the core package | Victor is not a direct insurer, it acts as an insurance manager that bundles coverage from multiple providers rather than underwriting its own plans. |
Unique elements like AdvanceCare payouts, Multiple Event CI coverage, and Cost Plus plan | Offers flexible plan design, but maximum coverage amounts may be lower than those provided by larger insurers |
Offers coverage up to age 85 for eligible groups (vs. 65–70 from many competitors) | |
Victor has a wellness-forward approach and includes EAP, 24/7 virtual healthcare, wellness spending, and mental health support |
Get expert help with your group benefits decision
Choosing the best group benefits insurer for your business is a critical decision that affects both your bottom line and employee satisfaction. With so many options available in the Canadian market, it can be overwhelming to navigate coverage types, pricing structures, and carrier differences on your own.
PolicyAdvisor’s licensed insurance professionals specialize in Canadian group insurance and understand the unique needs of businesses. Our experienced advisors can:
- Compare Victor Insurance with other leading carriers like Manulife, Equitable, Sun Life, and Canada Life
- Analyze your specific business needs and recommend the most cost-effective coverage options
- Negotiate better rates and terms on your behalf
- Simplify the enrollment process and ongoing plan administration
- Provide ongoing support for claims issues, and plan changes
Why work with PolicyAdvisor?
We offer free expert consultations, unbiased quotes from top insurers, customized benefit plans, full-service support, and no hidden fees—ever. So, take the guesswork out of group benefits selection. Connect with an experienced advisor today and discover how much you could save while providing better coverage for your employees.
Frequently asked questions
How much do group benefits cost for small businesses in Canada?
Group benefits typically cost between $100-$350 per employee per month depending on coverage level. Victor Insurance requires employers to contribute at least 50% of premiums, with optional life insurance ranging from $0.38-$13.11 monthly per $10,000 of coverage based on age and smoking status.
What is included in Victor Insurance’s core group benefits package?
Victor’s mandatory core package includes Basic Life Insurance, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, and Dependent Life Insurance, plus a minimum of two additional benefits chosen from Weekly Indemnity, Long Term Disability, Critical Illness, Extended Health Care, and Dental Care.
How many employees do you need for group benefits with Victor Insurance?
Victor Insurance accepts groups of any size. For 1-9 employees, all eligible employees must participate. For 10+ employees with shared premium costs, 75% participation is required, with minimum 50% after spousal waivers.
Does Victor Insurance group benefits work with existing provincial health coverage?
Yes, Victor’s Extended Health Care is designed to complement provincial health plans by covering expenses not included in government coverage, such as prescription drugs, vision care, paramedical services, and emergency out-of-country medical expenses up to $5,000,000.
Can I buy Victor Insurance group benefits directly or do I need a broker?
Victor Insurance only sells group benefits through licensed independent brokers and advisors across Canada. You cannot purchase directly from Victor – you must work with an authorized broker who can provide quotes, help with enrollment, and provide ongoing plan administration support.
Victor Insurance Canada offers comprehensive group benefits with innovative features like dual spending accounts (HCSA/WSA), advanced critical illness coverage with AdvanceCare benefits, and digital health services including Maple Virtual Care. Optional life insurance costs range from $0.38-$13.11 monthly per $10,000 coverage based on age and smoking status, while small business plans typically cost $100-$350 per employee monthly. With 40+ years of experience, Victor serves Canadian businesses through independent brokers, providing coverage extensions to age 85 and unique Cost Plus programs. Victor is best suited for small businesses seeking customised employee benefits plans in Canada.
Victor Insurance Managers Inc. 2025. “Plan Advisor Marketing Kit.” Victor Insurance Canada. Accessed July 29, 2025