Group Benefits
Why Group Benefits Matter for Small Businesses
Hiring and keeping good people is hard. A thoughtful group benefits plan signals that you take care of your team and helps your business compete with larger employers. It also gives owners and key staff access to health and dental coverage that might be expensive or unavailable individually.
What a group benefits plan can include
- Extended health, including prescription drugs, paramedical services, and vision
- Dental coverage at basic, major, and orthodontic levels
- Life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment for employees
- Short term and long term disability income protection
- Critical illness coverage for employees and dependents
- Employee assistance programs for mental health and family support
Why owners should care
A group plan is often more cost efficient than each employee buying individual coverage. Premiums can be shared between the business and employees, and the plan can be designed around your budget and your team's real needs.
There are also retention benefits. People who use their plan, especially for dental and prescriptions, tend to value it highly and think twice about leaving for a job without coverage.
What it takes to set up a plan
- Census information for your employees, including age and family status
- A short conversation about your goals and budget
- A review of quotes from multiple Canadian insurance carriers
- Employee enrolment, usually completed online
- Ongoing service for claims questions, plan changes, and renewals
A note on flexibility
Group plans can scale up as your team grows. You can also start with a leaner plan and add coverage like disability or critical illness later. A licensed advisor will explain the trade offs so you can choose with confidence.
Thinking about a group plan for your team
We will help you compare carriers and design a plan that fits your budget.
Frequently asked questions
How small is too small for group benefits
Many carriers offer plans starting at three employees, and some specialty programs accept even smaller groups.
Can the business pay all of the premium
Yes. Cost sharing is flexible. Some employers pay all of the health and dental premium, others share it with employees.
Will rates go up after a year of heavy claims
Renewals are based on claims experience, the insurance market, and your group's size and demographics. An advisor will explain your renewal each year and shop the market when it makes sense.
This article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for personal advice from a licensed insurance professional. Coverage, eligibility, and pricing vary by carrier and policy. Always refer to your policy wording for exact terms.