Living Benefits

Risk brings clients back to insurance

There's nothing like good a dose of market volatility to focus the minds of clients on risk management. While there are limits to the amount of protection you can place on their investment portfolios, the risks in their overall financial plan can be addressed with insurance.

By Raf Brusliow |November 18, 2011

4 min read

Industry

Canadians ill-prepared for healthcare costs

Nine out of 10 Canadians anticipate financial challenges if they were to experience a major or chronic illness, but more than half are not prepared for it, according to the second annual Sun Life Canadian Health Index compiled by Ipsos Reid.

By Staff |November 16, 2011

2 min read

Industry

Make insurance pitch a family affair

Most people don't like talking about insurance. Whether it’s a life policy, critical illness or long-term care, the discussion revolves around topics most people want to avoid. Now think about the discussions around insuring children.

By Staff |November 14, 2011

2 min read

Industry

Manulife launches Synergy app

Manulife has rolled out a new Synergy application for the iPad. Synergy combines a life insurance policy, a critical illness insurance policy and a disability insurance policy into one package.

By Staff |October 27, 2011

1 min read

What’s next for GMWBs?

Guaranteed Minimum Withdrawal Products entered Canada with a bang, twisted through a few snags related to underlying pricing assumptions and now are cruising along as accepted components of client portfolios for those close to retirement.

By Philip Porado |October 21, 2011

7 min read

Insurers to lift real estate fund suspension

Great-West Lifeco is preparing to lift a nearly three-year-old suspension on transfers, redemptions and withdrawals on the $3-billion real estate fund it shares with Canada Life. The move will take place on Oct. 17 and comes nearly seven months after it lifted a similar suspension on its London Life Real Estate Fund. Alf Goodall, senior […]

4 min read

Bad documentation leads to fines

If you’re an insurance advisor who hasn’t been keeping detailed records, watch out. Any files connected to transactions after October 2007 must contain detailed needs analyses demonstrating product suitability and reasons for recommendations. If they don’t, advisors need to revisit transactions, speak to clients and create suitable records, says Rick Forchuk, vice-president of retail distribution […]

By Al Emid |August 4, 2011

2 min read

Stamp of Approval

Even if an insured answers all the health questions accurately at the time of application, a material health change could occur between the application date and the time the insured signed the good health declaration. So it’s vital the declaration be completed accurately and with the same diligence used in completing the application.

By Eli Wahby |August 1, 2011

5 min read

Key person insurance an overlooked opportunity

Entrepreneurs are the lifeblood of the economy, creating businesses, jobs and economic activity from scratch through a combination of hard work and ingenuity. But too often the companies they start and the jobs they create are at risk of destruction, if the entrepreneur is not properly insured. Key person insurance represents both potential sales growth […]

By Al Emid |July 14, 2011

4 min read