A&S Disability Income Insurance question: individual disability policy defines total disability

A&SDisability Income Insurance

Dr. Lee, 49, an orthopaedic surgeon in Calgary, injures her hand in a cycling accident and can no longer operate. Within a few months she accepts a full-time teaching position at a university, earning about the same salary as before. Her individual disability policy defines total disability as the inability to perform the substantial duties of her own occupation, with no reduction for other earnings. Will it pay?

A No, because she can work in another job
B No, because she earns a full salary now
C Yes, she cannot do her own occupation
D Only a partial benefit, because she works

Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C. Yes, she cannot do her own occupation

A true own-occupation definition pays total disability benefits when the insured cannot perform the substantial duties of her own occupation, even if she works and earns in another occupation. Teaching does not stop the benefit under this definition. A 'regular occupation' definition, by contrast, typically requires that she not work in any other occupation. Source: standard Canadian individual disability contract wording (industry practice, as at 12 Oct 2026); CISRO LLQP Curriculum (May 2015), Accident and Sickness module, component 2 (types of contracts and riders) (as at 12 Oct 2026).

Common mistake

Treating own-occupation as if it were any-occupation.

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Related A&S practice questions

Dr. Haddad, 52, a cardiac surgeon in Halifax, develops a tremor and can no longer operate. His individual disability policy uses a 'regular occupation' definition: he is totally disabled if he cannot perform his regular occupation and is not working in any other occupation. He decides to accept a full-time teaching post at a medical school. What happens to his benefits?Tom, 44, an electrician in Sudbury, injures his back and can no longer do electrical work. Given his training and experience, he could work as a dispatcher for a utility company at about 70% of his old pay. His group LTD plan uses an own-occupation definition for the first 24 months and an 'any occupation' definition after that. What happens after 24 months?Leah, 42, is a dental office manager in Moncton earning $1,000 a week in insurable earnings. She has no group disability plan at work. After knee surgery in March 2026 she is off work for 10 weeks, has a medical certificate and has more than 600 insured hours in the past year. What is her maximum weekly EI sickness benefit?

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Original study material mapped to the public CISRO curriculum; not a real test question.Not affiliated with CISRO, CCIR or any provincial insurance regulator. Verify figures and rules against current guidance before relying on them.