Disability Insurance Reviews

Sun Life Disability Insurance Reviews

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(57 reviews)
Sun Life
1.1 out of 5 stars:
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AVOID SUN LIFE

by Giselle2018 on Sep 5, 2018
1 out of 5 stars

AVOID THIS COMPANY. I’ve been paying into my benefits, you’d think the least they can do is take a phone call from me and give me some information on my claim. I’ve been in the process of filing a disability claim for almost a month now and all I’m trying to do is check the status (when I should be receiving money as I’ve been off of work now for over a month due to high-risk pregnancy) and every time I call, someone tells me they can’t access my information because my file is handled in another office and I’m tired of being transferred over there to a voicemail. The same number that I’ve called twice before and was able to speak to someone who was able to access my file is the same number I’m calling again and it’s taking me all over Ontario and no one can access my information. Does Vancouver not have a customer service centre with people who actually pick up the phone like Waterloo or Toronto or Halifax or Montreal does?? Every time I’m transferred to Vancouver, I’m forwarded to a voicemail. This is so ridiculous I’ve never experienced this before, this is the WORST customer service and everyone I speak to is telling me something different. I don’t even know why my file is being handled in Vancouver when I live in Toronto. They even have an online option where you can “track your claim” and every time I go to look, it shows me that I supposedly haven’t filed a claim in the last 90 days. When I finish sorting this out, I'm CANCELLING and switching somewhere better, this is a disgusting service. Been off of work for so long and I’m due in 3 weeks and I can’t even enjoy a peace of mind like these insurance companies claim to give you whenever you need your.... behind.... covered. 0 STARS. I’m leaving this review anywhere I can so people can avoid this stress.

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Covered or Not?

by 989jamie on Jan 10, 2018
1.5 out of 5 stars

When you call you're asked for a bunch of numbers you probably don't have. Employees act frustrated to have to look you up by name etc. Finding your info online is impossible and when you call they have difficulty telling you what kind of coverage you even have. I was transferred 3 times to be told they didn't know if I had any disability coverage on the group insurance option I selected. You might say I should know this but employers often ask you to complete your selections within a week of starting your new job. A brochure or at least clear coverage information should be available to you to review at any time. I'm disappointed in this company and think they should be more user-friendly.

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Problematic Company Culture

by Louis_Karl on Jul 14, 2017
1 out of 5 stars

I have been dealing with this insurance company through my own company and I have to say that their company culture is highly problematic. I went on long-term disability and I had issues regarding both drugs and disability.

Now, while complaints and issues happen with all insurances, the problem with Sun Life Financial is the way they do things. Not only do they seem to attract incompetent people ( 3/3 never returned calls/ e-mails over the course of weeks), they won't let you change whoever is assigned to your case, effectively stonewalling you in case things go bad.

For example, I was refused to be insured for a drug because it had the wrong code (never mind the fact that it was a refill of a drug that had been insured the other time). When I escalated this situation to the supervisor, I was told they would find the right code with the pharmacy. 6 weeks, 5 calls later, that supervisor, Mrs. X, is absolutely unreachable. Worst, whenever I called to ask to get in touch with Mrs. X's colleague or boss through the customer service, I was told it would be done before being transferred to Mrs. X's voicemail.

In the end, Mrs.X seemed to not appreciate my behavior of searching for a resolution as she called back and said there was nothing to do.

I've written enough for a review, but I have a similar experience with the disability department, letting me know that it's a company wide problem, not just a single person problem.

Word of advice: Avoid like the plague.

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Short Term D Insurance???

by Insurance???? Really on Apr 7, 2017
1 out of 5 stars

Filed a short term disability claim in January and my case was approved for two weeks and then all of a sudden it was on suspension. I tore a tendon in my rotator cuff all the way and another halfway. I was not able to work and will need surgery. Well, it's April now and my case is still under review. It is criminal what they are doing. They are more than happy to take in your payments but when it is time to pay out it's delay delay delay hoping you will give up. When I call my case analyst, she is always out of the office and I have to talk to one of her flunkies, who have no answers other than their prepared statements. If you have a choice of insurance companies, do not use this one. Since the company I worked for had this as the only choice, I had no other choice. If there was ever a company that needed a class action, this is it.

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Terrible service

by Not being heard on Apr 6, 2017
1 out of 5 stars

Not only did it take them 3 wks to return one phone call after 20 were left being denied because I was still working part-time. Appealed it and this time was denied because of not following a treatment plan. I was never given the opportunity to give a treatment plan nor was I given the chance to be even told about their rehabilitation program until tonight. I was denied for that. I've never been sent anything in writing about my 1st denial, all I needed to was to be off work for 120 full days, nothing about a treatment plan was even mentioned. How can u b denied something u were never given the chance or asked about it. This not only has put me in terrible place finically, I still haven't been heard. They aren't caring at all nor do they give u all the info. How can u be denied twice for two different issues? When they said "no work for 120 days". Frustrating and for someone who suffers from anxiety and depression, how can I still fight for my rights. I feel beaten and dragged down in so many ways. I have found a new lawyer specializing in Sun Life, so now ask them for major help. I hope in the end I get what I paid into!!!

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For employers, not employees

by vrtameshrew47 on Oct 25, 2016
1 out of 5 stars

I'm currently on short-term disability: this company is a nightmare. I had cancer and a subsequent mastectomy; recently had to undergo another very complex surgery that took four times longer than the previous. From the time I woke up in the hospital, Sun Life harassed me with requirements (I was literally all cut up in bed on the phone with them) trying to force me to go back to work early. I had to make phone calls (hard to hold a phone when you're all cut up) and drive to the hospital weeks before my doctor said I should trying to find/get doctors to make repeated phone calls to the Sun Life rep--had to make duplicate doctor appointments to met insurance req--I've been through a couple companies since I've been ill and Sun Life is the worst--my incisions reopened in my abdomen because of them--working on getting better--employers are the only entities that benefit. If you can: STAY AWAY.

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Review topics

LTD and Cancer with Sun Life

by Disgusted on May 26, 2016
1 out of 5 stars

Just had my LTD claim denied after going through cancer and having difficulties with my recovery. The claims person who never answers her phone issued a letter stating that "I appear to have some health concerns". Seriously. Do they think that I fabricated the pathology report from PMH which discusses my tumour? This statement is an insulting, graceless, compassionless remark to me and all the cancer patients out there who have dealt with the horror of this disease.
I have to seriously now consider the stress and toll that the appeal process will take on me and because I can't physically return to work they will be probably eliminate me.
I hope Sun Life is proud to treat cancer patients this way and further destroy people's lives. Way to go.

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AVOID THIS COMPANY

by KW302 on Apr 14, 2016
1 out of 5 stars

I found out at the end of January 2016 that I needed surgery. I began the process of starting a claim about a month before I actually stopped working. My case was a bit complicated because I need 2 surgeries, and at the time I submitted the paperwork the second surgery date was unknown. I submitted the paperwork before my surgery on March 23rd, got the forms filled out by my doctors, and thought everything was fine. I called multiple times, was told my claim was approved, and it was fine. When I was supposed to start getting paid, I never got a check. I called them - turns out they were missing a form, that no one had ever told me about. I get the form worked out and submit it, and call them a few days later.... only to find out that there was ANOTHER form missing. They kept telling me that I needed to talk to my claims manager Tanya, but she never seemed to be in the office - we're convinced she doesn't exist. The 6th of 7th time I called, I was informed that I had TWO claims - one for short term disability, which has been approved, and one for state. "State?" I asked them. Turns out they were missing forms for that as well, that no one had decided to tell me about the other SIX OR SEVEN TIMES I HAD CALLED. You would think that if they were missing a form, they would call you to ask about it; nope. Sun Life is deducting $170 from my checks every week for this state disability, and to date I have not received any of that money, even though the state claim has been approved at this point. Back to the short term disability; I have been getting checks the last two weeks, so I was lulled into thinking everything was okay. I still have not gotten my state money... but I thought I was okay on the short term side. My second surgery is tomorrow, so I started the process to extend my leave. After FINALLY getting ahold of Tanya, she assured me that all she needs to do is call my doctors office tomorrow after my surgery to find out how much longer I'll be out. She said that she would just extend my leave to whatever the doctor says - we'll see tomorrow if that happens. I received a check today that showed me 2 things. First, the amount is off by $100. Second, they are showing my leave as suspended. I also was given a claim number for my state disability - I looked up that claim, and it shows a check that I never received, and that I have already returned to work.

Long story short, AVOID THIS COMPANY AT ALL COSTS. They jerk you around and absolutely do not care about your wellbeing. They lie to you and say they have everything they need, just to retract that statement the next time you call. You will never get what you're owed if you go through this company, so save yourself the trouble and STAY AWAY.

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Short term disability

by Unhappy in NJ on Mar 23, 2016
1 out of 5 stars

This company is the absolute worst company I've ever dealt with in my entire adult life. Their customer service staff is very rude and disrespectful, despite the fact that I've been extremely patient during every encounter. Every time I asked a question or tried to explain why I'm concerned, they would talk over me, practically yelling at me. One rep hung up when I was explaining why the details she was giving me were incorrect. This company will go above and beyond not to pay out on benefits. My doctor and employer have provided all the information this company needed but they continue to look for reasons to prolong accepting my claim. It's been a month and every time I call them for an update, they keep saying the examiner is still processing. Unbelievable.

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