If you are self-employed, a contractor or a gig worker, there is usually no group disability plan and Employment Insurance sickness benefits are limited. An injury or illness can stop your income entirely while your bills continue.
Individual disability insurance replaces part of your income. Insurers use your tax returns to confirm income, so how you pay yourself matters. In Ontario, drivers who dropped optional income replacement accident benefits after July 2026 have even less protection after a crash.
