Manulife Disability Insurance Reviews

They pretend to lose forms. They don’t answer emails or phone calls. I have paid high disability premiums for more than 16 years and they try every game to keep from paying. Caseworkers are insensitive, rude, and disrespectful. Everyone who works for manual life should have to fight for their money so that they understand how terrible they are. It’s not like they argue with a Doctor. They ignore their statements.

They robbed me of my livelihood because I'm not a lawyer, I was on Long Term Disability through my Insulators Union, and after the first week or so they started to savagely kicked me while I was down in whatever way they could come up with...

Once I reached the 2-year "C.O.D. date"(change of definition) they basically insisted my doctor and I were wrong and that I am capable of working as a fast food worker or telemarketer etc. Which is absolutely not possible for me.

I was a strong, driven, and hard-working young tradesperson, in my second year in electrical and marine insulating. At 21 I suddenly got pneumonia, and soon after was told I have a tumor in my right lung and needed immediate surgery.

I was told it would be an easy laparoscopic procedure with 3 small 1" incisions.

I wake up in agony to find they decided to do it the old-fashioned way, an 8" incision cutting all 3 of my most important back muscles in half on my right side. + 2 small 1" incisions.

They cut my most important muscles in half, sliced them between my ribs, prayed them apart, and removed the entire top chamber of my right lung. And as a lucky bonus, they didn't hook up my Epidural correctly and didn't believe me for 2 days until I was moaning in agony and very clearly suffering... who knows what kind of psychological effect that had on me.

I worked on light duty on and off but ended up completely disabled.

I am now 28, have been cut off by Manulife for 1.5 years, depression has long taken over my life and hope is nowhere to be found. I don't have it in me anymore to jump through their hoops. I am desperate, and every time Manulifes commercials come on it makes me so angry, false advertising at its finest. They don't care about us AT ALL.

My case manager and has been absolutely hostile, rude, demeaning, belittling, and as unhelpful as one could possibly imagine...

They insisted I go to Physio at the worst and least qualified place in town. They rushed me back to work in a GRTW plan... which ultimately ended with so much extra effort for my awesome boss/company that the bridge is now burned..... Thanks, Manulife...

If you think they will be there to help you while you are not well that takes many Dr visits/tests to figure out what is going on with your health, good luck. When your symptoms are complicated Manulife does not care about you getting better. They only add to the already stressful medical issues you may be going through. Manulife insurance is a false sense of security until you actually need them.
My experience in particular had to do with fainting spells after having a child. At the time I worked in a paper mill on the production line and passing out on a catwalk over the stock pits and press machinery or near any of the winding machinery I worked in and on would cause severe injury and/or death. I went through many emergency room visits, Dr and specialist appts that couldn't pinpoint an exact cause but it was very real what was happening to me. In one episode, in particular, I was walking with my 6-Month-old baby in my arms to go change her and my vision went spotty then black and I lost control of my arms and legs, dropped my baby and collapsed on top of her. I could feel her under me but couldn't do anything about it. So thankful my husband was home to help us.
Manulife did not help us offset any percent of my 50% contribution to the family income while I was going to many appts to try and figure out why this was happening as we were led to believe Manulife would be there.
This is to anyone reading this who has this company as a group benefits provider, they will be great for dental and eye care needs like exam coverage etc and if you should have a health concern you can provide physical medical evidence for like a broken bone. If you have mental health issues or back issues or like me undiagnosable issues, please seek out and pay out of pocket for another company for another insurance company as it is not worth all the agony and frustration of fighting to prove you're unwell so you can pay your monthly bills all while trying to find out what is causing your unwellness.
I hope this review can help just 1 person make a better choice on getting an insurance provider that will be there for them if they ever need it. Or if you read my post this far as it sounds too familiar, I'm sorry that you are going through the same frustrating ordeal as I once did. Believe me, you are not alone. I hope you can share your experience with others as well.

Disallowed my disability for coverage, and I got nothing I have had 2 surgeries and need one more. Can't work yet and no cash coming in. It is very depressing. Manulife says if we refuse you it's a final verdict and NO you can't appeal.

I haven’t gotten paid in 3 weeks now. The last time I talked to them one of their employees and they stated that I am going to get paid in 2 days, which was a lie. When I finally got a hold of a manager they stated that it could take up to another 10 days to process - which means I won’t get paid for more than a month. They don’t care that they’re my only source of income. They don’t care they I have bills to pay. There is the absolute worst company I have ever dealt with in my entire life. If you have the option to, choose any other company than Manulife.

I paid $250 for my doctor to fill out paperwork describing why I cannot work. I was declined benefits and lost the money from the paperwork. Mental health is a real issue and this contributes to it negatively. If your doctor says you need time off, then you need time off.

Denied my wife's claim for 6 months. 3 appeals later and the final appeal was denied as well. This was for work (manufacturing). She claimed she was more than capable of her regular duties at work despite multiple letters from her OB. This might be the WORST insurance company. I would not recommend for any kind of service. I wouldn't let them insure a bicycle let alone anything to do with my family.

Screwed out of LTD, transferred to many people over many days who know nothing of my case or investigate inquiry (I have CPP) selling me a plan that wasn’t correct (told me no conversion to personal when leaving the group plan). I have a lawyer if I need one, reading all this it sounds like they get away with fraud, poor customer service, rudeness... I have never had a conversation yet that didn’t end in me crying, they don’t listen, talk over you when trying to answer their questions then get aggressive because I am told my story a billion times but no one knows where my file is! They should have it! After paying into LTD forever they screw me over when I need it for real! NEVER deal with them because they won’t deal with you once they have your money good luck! If there is a doctor shortage you’ll get dropped before you get a diagnosis! You didn’t see me through the hard times! You kicked me while I was down and then blamed me for not getting a disability according to the chart of “how to do disability according to Manulife”. I am now broke and homeless thanks a lot! I have worked full time since 15 in the same career, plus ran for provincial elections in my field, a college instructor and worked for a governing body, all at the same time as running a business with 9 staff! Then my world crashed and everything I build went along with my income and my abilities.. anyway...

I am shocked to read similar experiences from other reviewers and it just helps me understand the extent of their excuses to evade their obligation to work with affected employees and arsenal of gimmicks to shut down a valid case - after of course - taking their sweet time - is astonishing... Although I have 5 year+ of direct experience as frontline CS representative - my current job with up to 100 calls per shift with mostly unhappy folk you try to work with - will curb your enthusiasm even if you are tenured professional with accolades for exceptional service. After six months with my present company, I have developed tinnitus in my left ear - which according to my employer could at best be a case for a work accommodation claim... However, pressures of a toxic work environment that come from poor systems and indifferent and incompetent management led me to a meltdown by the end of the first year. It took me another 6 months of this abusive situation to finally understand I am developing full-blown anxiety and depression... Upon submitting a claim with Manulife - getting my attending physician to share his findings, and extend the initial 2-week absence by another 2 weeks - I get to talk to 3rd Case Manager - who flatly during our phone call ( I encourage anyone to decline the "all calls are recorded" disclosure and insist to meet in person with someone from Manulife so they cannot twist your input around ) - advised me that unfortunately, Manulife cannot support my claim - due to my symptoms being directly worked place related (!?!) - which is outside of their scope... The person half my age with no medical training whatsoever and zero empathy - made me feel insignificant for a brief instant - while I was processing the shock. This was an expensive way for me to learn what a pathetic scam this is... If you value your time - steer clear of Manulife. There are plenty of better alternatives out there.

Manulife insurance is the absolute worst. It’s just one big ping pong game to them. I went to go make a claim back in September and was informed I have to wait 60 days before I can make a claim (that was their first lie of many). I phone back 60 days later and they tell me off for not making the claim sooner. I then get all my forms filled out and send them in. I weekly call them for an update and they said they have everything just waiting for medical info from my doctor so I ask them to fax the form to my doctor again. Long story short they wasted a month of my time just to tell me they haven’t received any of my forms. So I asked them then why would you tell me you have received everything. It has been over three months since my accident and they have put me back at square one telling me they have no information on my claim what’s so ever. Manulife is the worst insurance company and the fact it’s come to the point of needing a lawyer is ridiculous. The emotional trauma and stress they put on you are out of this world. Not to mention my mom passed in March and her work went through Manulife and whenever I call Manulife for an update on my mortgage protection claim...for some reason every time I have to tell them my mom is gone. I have yet to figure out why they do this cruel thing but again the emotional stress they put on you. All I have to say is any other insurance company would be better then Manulife