Insurance for Doctors

Disability Income Protection

Disability Income Protection provides you with a monthly tax-free income should an accident or illness prevent you from working or training. Use your coverage to pay for rent, mortgage, debt repayment, living expenses, medical costs and build your retirement savings.

Two disability insurance plans are available through Doctors of BC.

INCOMEprotect for Practicing Physicians

Benefits for Physicians

Doctors of BC INCOMEprotect is an enhanced disability plan designed exclusively for physicians’ unique needs. If you’re unable to work due to accident or illness, you may receive monthly tax-free income until age 65 or until you return to work. Whether you are totally unable to work, or can only work part-time, benefits can be claimed. During a claim, INCOMEprotect works seamlessly with the BC government-funded Physicians’ Disability Insurance. INCOMEprotect is portable and covers you throughout your medical career, wherever in the world it takes you.

Special Offer

Residency/Fellowship graduates 

If you are enrolled in at least $2,000 of Doctors of BC INCOMEprotect™ for Residents, you have 90 days from completing residency or fellowship to switch to INCOMEprotect™ for Practicing Physicians and apply for the BC government-funded Physicians’ Disability without medical questions.

INCOMEprotect™ Advantage

Competitive Rates

Premiums are significantly discounted for physicians. INCOMEprotect™ premium structure follows the concept of present value - paying less today is better than paying less in the future when the value of money has decreased. Rates are designed to be lowest in earlier years so you can invest more in your business and your family. Premiums slowly increase in 5-year age bands as rising earnings and inflation continue to make premiums affordable. This premium structure differs from alternative individual plans with level premiums that start at much higher rates.

Flexible Coverage

Monthly tax-free coverage amounts from $500 - $25,000. 

Variety of optional features to customize your plan design.

Optional Features

Own Occupation Rider
  • Helps protect your earning power when you are totally disabled.You are considered to be totally disabled from your regular occupation and entitled to full disability benefits – even if you choose to work and earn income in another job with different duties. 
Guaranteed Insurability Rider
  • Guarantees you can increase your coverage later, regardless of changes in your health.
  • Can increase coverage by up to $2,500 during the annual option period (November 1-30), no medical questions asked (must be age 55 or under and have income to warrant the increase).
Cost of Living Adjustment Rider (COLA)
  • Ensures your coverage keeps up with the rise in the cost of living, increasing your monthly benefit according to the National Consumer Price Index, up to the maximum you’ve selected, either 3% or 6%.
  • COLA applies if you’ve been disabled for 12 consecutive months, and continues each year you remain disabled until you’re 65.
Retirement Protection Rider
  • Helps keep your retirement plan on track by providing a monthly contribution to an investment account while you are disabled.
  • If your annual earned income net of expenses is: 
    • Less than $100,000 your monthly benefit amount is $500; or
    • Greater than $100,000 you may choose a monthly benefit of either $500, $1,000, or $1,500.

Find out More

INCOMEprotect for Practicing Physicians Plan Brochure 

Rates

INCOMEprotect for Practicing Physicians Rates 

You can also email to ask for a personalized quote.

How to Apply

Submit completed application form via email, fax or mail.

  • Scan & Email
  • Fax: 604 638 2909
  • Mail: Doctors of BC, Insurance Department, 115 - 1665 W Broadway, Vancouver, BC V6J 5A4

Application Process

Proof of good health is required unless you meet the special offer criteria listed above. After submission of your application, we will contact you to make arrangements at no cost to you. Depending on your age, health and the amount of coverage being applied for, you may be required to provide one or more of the following: 

  • Telehealth interview
  • Blood and urine sample
  • Vitals
  • Paramedical Exam
  • ECG

How to Make a Disability Claim

Read the Claims Guide for instructions on how to submit a claim.

Complimentary Advice

Book an appointment with a licensed, non-commissioned Doctors of BC Insurance Advisor to confidentially discuss your situation and learn what coverage is right for you.

Email .

Physicians’ Disability Insurance – BC government funded

Benefits for Physicians

Physicians’ Disability Insurance (PDI) is a short and long term disability plan that is funded by the provincial government. The plan provides a non-taxable monthly benefit up to $6,100, based on your eligible income..

Eligibility 

You are eligible to apply for coverage under this plan if you are:

  • Under age 65
  • Receive fee-for-service, sessional payments, or non-salaried service contract income from the Medical Services Commission of British Columbia. 

Although the provincial government funds this benefit, coverage is not automatic and you must apply for coverage. 

Special Offer

If you are enrolled in Doctors of BC INCOMEprotect for Residents, you have 90 days from graduation to apply for the BC government-funded Physicians’ Disability without medical questions.*

*must carry minimum $2000 INCOMEprotect for Residents for at least 12 months prior to starting practice

Coverage Amount

Your monthly PDI benefit is calculated each year and is based on your prior calendar year’s BC eligible earnings (fee-for-service billings, sessional payments, or non-salaried income under a service contract) and an overhead factors based on your practice type. The maximum monthly benefit is $6,100 (non-taxable). If you are in your first two years of practice , your benefit amount will be pro-rated based on actual earnings if a claim is made.

As high income earners, physicians are encouraged to have additional disability coverage to ensure adequate income loss protection. You may supplement PDI with the INCOMEprotectTM for Practicing Physicians plan.

PDI and other Disability Insurance

Your monthly PDI benefit will be reduced at the time of claim if your total disability benefits from all government and private sources exceed 60% of your net pre-disability earnings (after expenses but before income or corporation tax).

Your monthly PDI benefit will be reduced by 50% of any disability benefit you are entitled to receive under the Canada Pension Plan, but will not be affected by any dependent benefits or any subsequent cost-of-living adjustments.

PDI Premiums

You do not pay any premiums for PDI coverage. PDI premiums are paid by the provincial government. The PDI benefit you receive while disabled (either partially or fully) is non-taxable. Therefore, the Canada Revenue Agency considers the PDI premium paid on your behalf to be a personal taxable benefit, and a T4A will be issued to you annually.

Find Out More

Read the Physicians’ Disability Insurance brochure.

How to Apply

Submit completed application form via email, fax or mail. 

  • Scan and Email:
  • Fax: 604 638 2909
  • Mail: Doctors of BC, Insurance Department, 115 - 1665 W Broadway, Vancouver BC, V6J 5A4

Proof of Good Health

After submission of your application, if any proof of good health is required, we will contact you to make arrangements at no cost to you. Depending on your age, health and the amount of coverage being applied for, you may be required to provide one or more of the following: 

  • Telehealth interview 
  • Blood and urine sample
  • Vitals Paramedical Exam 
  • ECG 

As per insurance industry practice, the insurer may offer coverage with exclusions, modifications, or decline coverage based on your health or lifestyle

How to Make a Physicians’ Disability Insurance Claim

Read the Claims Guide for instructions on how to submit a claim.

Complimentary Advice

Book an appointment with a licensed, non-commissioned Doctors of BC Insurance Advisor to confidentially discuss your situation and learn what coverage is right for you.

Email .

INCOMEprotect™ for Residents

Deadline to Enroll with no medical questions – 90 days after starting residency in BC​. Read more.

Benefits for Residents

Doctors of BC INCOMEprotect™ for Residents is an enhanced individual disability plan offered at specially discounted residency rates. If you’re unable to work due to accident or illness, you may receive monthly tax-free income until age 65 or until you’re able to return to work. Whether you are totally unable to work or can only work part-time benefits can be claimed. During a claim, INCOMEprotect™ pays in addition to the employer disability insurance plan negotiated through Resident Doctors of BC. 

INCOMEprotect™ is portable and covers you throughout your residency in Canada and medical career worldwide. 

Special Offer

NEW TO TRAINING IN BC

You may apply for INCOMEprotect™ without medical questions if you meet the following criteria:

  • are within 90 days of starting residency training in BC, and
  • did not previously have access to a no-medical disability offer through Doctors of BC

If you attended UBC and are enrolled in Doctors of BC INCOMEprotect™ for Students, you have 90 days from graduation to switch to the INCOMEprotect™ for Residents without medical questions. 

INCOMEprotect™  Advantage

NO-MEDICAL ELIGIBILITY FOR BC GOVERNMENT-FUNDED PHYSICIANS’ DISABILITY INSURANCE

If you begin practice in BC, you may be eligible to enroll in the government-funded Physicians’ Disability Insurance (PDI), a negotiated benefit that is managed by Doctors of BC. The PDI plan premiums are paid by the government of BC so there is no out-of-pocket premium cost to you. By keeping at least $2,000 of INCOMEprotect™ for Residents from the start of residency, you will be eligible for PDI without medical questions if you immediately begin practice in the province.

COMPETITIVE RATES

Premiums are significantly discounted for residents. Rates are designed to be lowest in earlier years so you can reduce debt and build savings. INCOMEprotect™ premiums slowly increase in 5-year age bands as rising earnings and inflation continue to make premiums affordable. This premium structure follows the concept of present value - that a dollar paid today is not worth as much as a dollar paid in the future. This premium structure is different from alternative individual plans that have level premiums that start at much higher rates. 

FLEXIBLE COVERAGE

Residency Year Monthly Minimum Coverage* Monthly Maximum Coverage
1-5 $500 $4,000
6-7 $500 $6,000
Fellowship $500 $7,500

*The minimum recommended benefit is $2,000 to meet eligibility requirements for the PDI no-medical offer

Optional Features

OWN OCCUPATION RIDER
  • Helps protect your earning power when you are totally disabled. You are considered to be totally disabled from your regular occupation and entitled to full disability benefits – even if you choose to work and earn income in another job with different duties. 
RETIREMENT PROTECTION RIDER
  • Helps keep your retirement plan on track by providing a $500 monthly contribution to an investment account while you are disabled.

Included Features

GUARANTEED INSURABILITY RIDER
  • Guarantees you can increase your coverage in the future, regardless of changes in your health.
  • One-time increase upon residency/fellowship graduation to $11,000 for specialists and $7,500 for general practitioners.
  • Can increase coverage by up to $2,500 during the annual option period (November 1-30), no medical questions asked (must be age 55 or under and have income to warrant the increase).
COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT (COLA) RIDER 
  • Ensures your coverage keeps up with the rise in the cost of living, increasing your monthly benefit according to the National Consumer Price Index, up to 3%,
  • COLA applies if you’ve been disabled for 12 consecutive months, and continues each year you remain disabled until you’re 65.

Find out More

INCOMEprotect™ for Residents Plan Brochure 

Rates

INCOMEprotect™ for Residents Rates

You can also email View Email Address to ask for a personalized quote.

How to Apply

Submit completed application form via email

Application Process

Proof of good health is required unless you meet the special offer criteria listed above. After submission of your application, we will arrange a telephone interview asking about your health and lifestyle. Depending on interview answers, your age, health, and the amount of coverage being applied for, further medical information may be required.

Complimentary Advice

Book an appointment with a licensed, non-commissioned Doctors of BC Insurance Advisor to confidentially discuss your situation and learn what coverage is right for you.

Email .

Transitioning to Practice?

You must switch your plan to Incomeprotect™ for Practicing Physicians within 90 days of the end of your residency program. You can customize your plan to suit your practice needs without any medical questions, including: 

  • Increase coverage up to $7,500 for General Practitioners and $11,000 for Specialists
  • Elect a shorter or longer wait period before benefits pay 
  • Customize your plan with additional riders such as Cost of Living Adjustment, Guaranteed Insurability, Own Occupation, and Retirement Protection 
  • Enroll in the BC Government-funded Physicians’ Disability Insurance Plan (PDI)*

Submit the Online Options Form within 90 days of your completion date.

Speak with a non-commissioned Doctors of BC Insurance Advisor before you transition to understand your options. Book your appointment early – June-August is our busiest time for consultations.

Email .

*Must be enrolled in at least $2,000 INCOMEprotectTM since start of residency

How to Make a Disability Claim

Read the Claims Guide for instructions on how to submit a claim.

INCOMEprotect™ for StudentsCFMS logo

The Canadian Federation of Medical Students (CFMS) exclusively recommends Doctors of BC INCOMEprotect™ as UBC medical students' best choice for disability coverage.

Benefits for Students

Doctors of BC INCOMEprotect™ for Students is an enhanced disability plan that protects you in school, residency in Canada and practice worldwide. The Doctors of BC physician board strongly believes that future doctors should be protected throughout their medical journey. Doctors of BC proudly pays $130,000 annually for student insurance premiums so the plans are available at no-cost to UBC medical students.  

Special Offer

If you are a UBC medical student, you may apply for INCOMEprotect™ for Students and $100,000 Life insurance without medical questions. You are not automatically covered and must enroll in the plans.

INCOMEprotect™  Advantage

NO COST COVERAGE AS STUDENT

Premiums for students in years 1 - 3 and premiums for students in year 4 under the $2,500 monthly benefit option are paid for by Doctors of BC.

Fourth year students who elect to increase coverage from $2,500 to $4,000, are charged a nominal fee, as listed below.

NO-MEDICAL ELIGIBILITY FOR BC GOVERNMENT FUNDED PHYSICIANS’ DISABILITY INSURANCE

If you begin practice in BC, you may be eligible to enroll in Physicians’ Disability Insurance (PDI), a negotiated benefit that is managed by Doctors of BC and government funded. By keeping at least $2,000 of INCOMEprotect™ in residency and fellowship, you will be eligible for PDI without medical questions if you begin practice in the province.

COMPETITIVE RATES IN RESIDENCY AND PRACTICE

Doctors of BC pays your premiums so there is no cost to you as a medical student. In Residency and Practice, Doctors of BC significantly discounts your plan cost. Rates are designed to be lowest in earlier years so you can reduce debt and build savings. INCOMEprotect™ premiums slowly increase in 5-year age bands as rising earnings and inflation continue to make premiums affordable. This premium structure follows the concept of present value - that a dollar paid today is not worth as much as a dollar paid in the future. This premium structure is different from alternative individual plans that have level premiums that start at much higher rates. 

FLEXIBLE COVERAGE
Medical School Monthly tax-free benefit
Year 1-2 $1,500
Year 3 $2,500
Year 4
Optional Upgrade
$2,500
$4,000

Included Features

GUARANTEED INSURABILITY RIDER
  • Guarantees you can increase your coverage later, regardless of changes in your health.
COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT RIDER (COLA)
  • Ensures your coverage keeps up with the rise in the cost of living, increasing your monthly benefit according to the National Consumer Price Index, up to 3%,
  • COLA applies if you’ve been disabled for 12 consecutive months, and continues each year you remain disabled until you’re 65.

Optional Features In Residency and Practice

OWN OCCUPATION RIDER
  • Helps protect your earning power when you are totally disabled. You are considered to be totally disabled from your regular occupation and entitled to full disability benefits – even if you choose to work and earn income in another job with different duties. 
RETIREMENT PROTECTION RIDER
  • Helps keep your retirement plan on track by providing a $500 monthly contribution to an investment account while you are disabled.

Find out More

INCOMEprotect™ for Students Plan Brochure

Speak with Lisa Fincaryk (Email: ), Insurance Advisor, Early Career Specialist, to confidentially discuss your situation and learn what coverage is right for you.

Rates

There is no cost to students for coverage. If a 4th year student elects to increase coverage from $2,500 to $4,000 monthly benefit, annual premiums are listed below. Options are provided in the chart below.

Age Monthly Cost for 4th Year Coverage Increase to $4,000
Under age 40 $6.88
40 - 44 $13.75
45 - 54 $20.63
55 - 64 $27.50

How to Apply

First-Year Medical Students – Submit the Online First-Year Membership and Student Insurance Application Form

Other Medical StudentsSubmit the Student Insurance Form

Application Process

There are no medical questions or tests. There is a pre-existing condition limitation that applies during the first 12 months of coverage. This means that you may not be covered for a disability that results from a health condition you had, whether diagnosed or not, during the 12 months following the effective date of your coverage under this plan. This limitation no longer applies after your coverage has been in place for 12 months.

Transitioning to Residency?

Upon completion of medical school, existing Doctors of BC INCOMEprotect™ for Student coverage must be switched to the INCOMEprotect™ for Residents plan. If you switch your coverage within 90 days of graduation you will have an opportunity to: 

  • Increase coverage
  • Customize features and riders

Options Form for UBC Medical School Graduates with existing Doctors of BC INCOMEprotect™ coverage (Please submit within 90 days of graduation).

Speak with a non-commissioned Doctors of BC Insurance Advisor before you transition to understand your options. 

Email .

How to Make a Disability Claim

Read the Claims Guide for instructions on how to submit a claim.

Complimentary Advice

Speak with Lisa Fincaryk, Insurance Advisor, Early Career Specialist, to confidentially discuss your situation and learn what coverage is right for you. Doctors of BC Insurance Advisors do not receive any commissions to ensure you receive objective financial education.

Book a free appointment with Lisa Fincaryk
Email: