This article discusses everything you need to know about Industrial Alliance (iA Financial Group) long-term disability benefits. That includes a discussion of rules as well as information about applying for benefits and appealing a denial.
If you are reading this article, you are on the right path. Informing yourself is the single most important thing you can do to win or maintain long-term disability benefits from Industrial Alliance.
Psst. If you are looking for information on Excellence Life Insurance Company, you are in the right place.
About Industrial Alliance
Industrial Alliance, also known as iA Financial Group and iA Insurance, is a mid-size for-profit insurance company in Canada. Headquartered in Montreal, Industrial Alliance provides disability insurance in all provinces. In 2020, Industrial Alliance merged with Excellence Life Insurance Company. Both companies now operate together under the iA Financial Group brand.
Resolute Legal’s disability lawyers have represented thousands of people involved in appeals or lawsuits with insurance companies, including this one. We have represented people in both short- and long-term disability appeals. The following article gives an overview of Industrial Alliance Insurance, and includes links to more detailed articles.
Industrial Alliance Long-Term Disability
Industrial Alliance provides long-term disability benefits through group and individual insurance policies. With both policies, Industrial Alliance gives you a source of income to help you make ends meet while you are on disability leave.
Industrial Alliance is also the long-term disability provider for the Federal Government’s Public Service Management Insurance Plan. This plan covers all non-unionized management employees of the Federal Government.
If approved for long-term disability, you will receive benefits based on your pre-disability income. You can receive benefits for as long as your plan allows. This might be a certain number of years, usually two or five. Benefits might last until you reach a certain age or until you no longer meet the definition of disability.
The company also provides a Disability Management program that works with you, your doctor and your employer to ensure a safe return to work.
For more information on long-term disability, check out our Ultimate Guide to Long-Term Disability in Canada.
Industrial Alliance Short-Term Disability
Industrial Alliance provides short-term disability insurance to other businesses through group insurance plans. They offer different short-term disability plans. So, it’s crucial to find a copy of your employer’s group benefits booklets to understand your benefits.
If they deny your claim, then you can usually do two to three internal appeals. If they deny all appeals, your final option is to bring a lawsuit against them.
Applying for Long-Term Disability
There are two options for applying with Industrial Alliance. However, it’s probably best to check your plan to see which one is right for you:
The first road to applying or filing a claim is to contact your employer or plan administrator. Once they know that you will be absent from work, they should contact the insurance company. Then, Industrial Alliance will contact you with your next steps.
The second option is to fill out the required forms and send them to the claims department.
Appealing a Denial
Don’t worry — your journey doesn’t end here. If Industrial Alliance denies your application, they should send you a letter with the reason for denial. After you receive this letter, you will have a chance to appeal the decision. You can appeal either internally or externally through a legal appeal.
At this point, it’s best to contact a disability lawyer. They have experience and will be able to help determine your next steps.
Industrial Alliance Complaints Process
Like all insurance companies, Industrial Alliance has an official complaints process. This process is for service-related complaints. It’s not meant for complaints about claim decisions, for example. If Industrial Alliance has denied your benefits claim, you should appeal, not complain.
The first step in resolving a problem with Industrial Alliance is to speak with your claims advisor or call an Industrial Alliance customer service representative. You can reach their customer service team at 1-844-442-4636. You can also file a complaint on their website.
If your complaint isn’t resolved after this step, you should contact Industrial Alliance in writing. The company will acknowledge your complaint and should reply to you within 90 calendar days.
If, after receiving a written response, your complaint has still not been resolved, you can escalate your complaint to the Complaints Officer:
Complaints Officer
lndustrial Alliance lnsurance and Financial Services
1080 Grande Allée Ouest
Quebec City, QC GlK 7M3
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