Updating your Records
To ensure that coverage is kept-up-to-date, it is important that you report changes to your plan administrator as soon as possible:
- change of name or address
- change of beneficiary
Designating your Beneficiary
Your designated beneficiary receives any benefits payable under the basic life benefit in the event of your death. As such, it’s very important that you name a beneficiary when you enrol.
If you live in Quebec, and you name your spouse as your beneficiary, it is irrevocable unless you stipulate otherwise, in writing on the beneficiary form. Any other beneficiary that you name is revocable unless otherwise stipulated.
If you live in any other province, you have the right to name a beneficiary at the time you apply for insurance and you can change your beneficiary at any time, where permitted by law, by completing a form available from your plan sponsor/plan administrator. If your beneficiary dies before you do or if you do not name a beneficiary, payment will be made to your estate. If your beneficiary is a minor, payment will be made to the trustee (if you named one) or a public trustee (if you have not appointed a trustee for minor beneficiaries). A beneficiary named under the basic life benefit is, unless stipulated to the contrary, the beneficiary for all benefits under your plan. You should review any beneficiary designations under this plan from time to time to ensure that they reflect your current intentions.
When do changes in the amount of my insurance take effect?
Increase in Insurance
If the change would result in an increase, the increase will be effective on the latter of:
- the date of the change.
Decrease in Insurance
Decreases will be effective on the date of the change.
When does coverage end?
Your coverage terminates the earliest of:
- the end of a period for which premiums have been paid for your insurance
- the date you cease to be in a class of Members eligible for insurance, or
- the date the group policy or plan terminates
The Claims Process
Where do I find a claim form?
Claim forms are available from your plan sponsor, the plan administrator (Union).
Our team in the Group Client Service Centre would also be happy to assist you via telephone, email, or you can ask a question through Benefits Now® for Plan Members, our secure plan member website.
Proof of Claim
You are required to prove your entitlement to benefits under your plan and to provide notice of claim in accordance with the master policy provisions. You must provide information required to prove your entitlement to benefits and must also authorize us to obtain information from other sources for this purpose (if required). From time to time, we will ask you to provide us with proof of your total disability. Whenever we request information or authorization, it must be submitted within the time limit requested. If not submitted within this time, you will not be entitled to benefits. Expenses incurred for providing this information will be your responsibility.
When should I submit my claim form?
To permit prompt assessment, an initial notice of claim should be submitted no later than the time limits described in each benefit section.
Limitation of Action
Except where or when applicable legislation permits the use of a different limitation period, every action or proceeding against an insurer for the recovery of insurance money payable under the contract is absolutely barred unless commenced within the time set out in the Insurance Act or any other applicable legislation.
Where or when applicable legislation permits the use of a different limitation period, no action or proceeding at law or in equity shall be brought against Co-operators Life for payment of benefits under the policy or for any other related damages:
- prior to the expiration of 60 days after the claim form has been filed in accordance with the requirements of the master Policy; or
- unless brought:
- where no benefits have been paid, within one year from the expiration of the time within which the claim form is first required by the Policy or from the date on which
Co-operators Life first denies the claim for benefits, whichever first occurs; or - where benefits have been paid under the provision of the Policy, within 1 year of the date on which Co-operators Life terminates the payment of benefits.
- where no benefits have been paid, within one year from the expiration of the time within which the claim form is first required by the Policy or from the date on which
The time limit within which to commence an action shall expire on the date(s) as specifically provided for in this provision and in no event shall it be extended to each and every monthly payment accruing after the date(s).
Accessing your Records
As required by legislation, for insured benefits, you have the right, to request a copy of your enrollment form or application for insurance and any written statements or other record not otherwise part of the application that you provided to Co-operators Life as evidence of insurability. For insured benefits, on reasonable notice, you may also request a copy of the master policy subject to certain limitations. The first copy will be provided at no cost to you but a fee will be charged for subsequent copies. All requests for copies of documents should be directed to our Group Client Service Centre.
Claim forms can be mailed to:
Group Claims Department
The Co-operators
1900 Albert Street
Regina, Saskatchewan
S4P 4K8
Third-Party Liability
If you and/or your insured dependent become totally disabled due to an injury or sickness for which a third party is, or may legally become liable, you or your dependent must sign a reimbursement agreement and submit it to Co-operators Life before any benefits will be paid. The reimbursement agreement outlines the terms for reimbursing Co-operators Life when you settle the claim with the third party. To continue to qualify for any future benefits, it is important that you and/or your dependent obtain written consent from Co-operators Life before settling any claim with the third party.