KEY TAKEAWAYS

  • 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

IN THIS ARTICLE
IN THIS ARTICLE

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.

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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
Read more about the various types of group health insurance options in Canada

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
  • Mandatory with every plan 
  • Flat amount or multiple of earnings 
  • Reduces 50% at age 65, terminates at 70 (extendable to 85 for 3+ lives) 
  • Includes Dependent Life and optional employee/spousal top-ups 
  • Conversion privilege up to $200,000 without medicals at termination
Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D)
  • Matches basic life insurance (mandatory) 
  • Optional employee/family top-ups 
  • Includes supplementary benefits (e.g., paralysis, loss of limbs)
Weekly Indemnity (Short-Term Disability)
  • Wage replacement up to 66⅔% of salary 
  • Benefit duration: 2 years to age 65 
  • Elimination period: 16–52 weeks 
  • Eligible for EI Premium Reduction Program 
  • Can be tax-free if employee-paid
Long-Term Disability
  • Pays up to 75% of pre-disability income 
  • Own occupation for 2 years, then any occupation 
  • Optional COLA (Cost of Living Adjustment) 
  • 12-month pre-existing condition exclusion 
  • Survivor benefit: 3 months’ payout
Critical Illness Insurance
  • Covers 25 conditions + 6 child-specific illnesses 
  • Optional for employee, spouse, and children 
  • Multiple Event Coverage for different diagnoses 
  • Waiver of premium & conversion privilege 
  • Optional Early Stage and AdvanceCare benefits
Extended Health Care
  • Covers drugs, hospital, vision, paramedicals, and emergency travel 
  • Optional hospital (semi-private/private) 
  • Change4Life wellness platform 
  • Out-of-country emergency care (up to $5M) 
  • Vision: up to $250/24 months (only groups with 3+ eligible) 
  • Paramedicals: $500/practitioner/year 
  • Medical travel benefit (500km+) 
  • RAMQ-compliant for Quebec employers 
  • Smaller groups can use HCSA for vision benefits
Dental Care
  • Basic, major, and orthodontic coverage 
  • Basic: up to 100% reimbursement 
  • Orthodontia: up to $2,500 lifetime 
  • Optional deductibles, recall periods, fee guides
Health Care Spending Account (HCSA)
  • Pre-tax reimbursement for non-covered expenses
  • Customizable by employee or class
Wellness Spending Account (WSA)
  • Taxable benefit for lifestyle wellness expenses (e.g., gym)
Executive and Cost Plus Benefits
  • Custom plans for business owners/high-income earners 
  • Cost Plus reimburses non-covered expenses (e.g., high dental costs)
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • Powered by LifeWorks 
  • Mental health, legal, and HR resources 
  • HR support for plan administrators

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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
Read more about how group insurance works

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.

Need group health insurance?

Give us a call at 1-888-601-9980 or book some time with our licensed experts.

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.

Need insurance help?

Give us a call at 1-888-601-9980 or book some time with our licensed experts.

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.

SUMMARY

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.

Written By
Ryan Pollard
Insurance Advisor, LLQP
Ryan is a licensed Group Benefits Associate who helps Canadian businesses design cost-effective, tax-efficient employee benefits plans tailored to their teams.
Connect with author
Ryan is a licensed Group Benefits Associate who helps Canadian businesses design cost-effective, tax-efficient employee benefits plans tailored to their teams.
Sources:

Victor Insurance Managers Inc. 2025. “Plan Advisor Marketing Kit.” Victor Insurance Canada. Accessed July 29, 2025