Page 27 - iA Excellence -Field Underwriting Guide - Updated on July 2019

Non-Medical underwriting

Occupations
For our disability products, an applicant must be working full-time according to the definition specified by the
contract applied for.

Superior Program and Universal Loan Determining an applicant’s occupational
For these products, “full-time work” means that the class
insured performs remunerative work: One of the most difficult tasks you may have as an
• At the rate of at least 21 hours per week on a advisor is deciding on the appropriate occupational
regular and continuous basis; or class. To help you with this process, please consult

• For at least eight months for a total of 1,050 hours the occupational list provided on Assure&go in order
per year; or to determine the appropriate occupational class for
your applicant (a copy of the list can also be found
• Four months for a total of 1,050 hours per year.*
in APPENDIX C).
* For seasonal and contractual workers only. To have access, the seasonal
and contractual workers rider must be purchased. Below, we have provided you with information that
may help you determine the appropriate occupational
Acci-Jet class. An Occupational Class is determined based
For this product, “full-time work” means that the insured on a list that classifies all jobs into one of six classes
performs remunerative work: based on:
• At least 21 hours per week; and • The physical requirements of the occupational
• For at least eight months per year. duties
• The environment, circumstances and working
Occupational classes conditions under which the occupation is

The occupational class is very important, as it determines performed, and the degree of exposure to
the premium rates and, to some extent, the definition occupational injury or sickness
of the applicant’s regular occupation. For example, • Academic degree related to the occupation
occupational Class B and C applicants do not qualify for
a definition of “Regular occupation to age 65.” The classifications are generally as follows:
Class 4A: Any person who has a university
The class also influences the underwriting decision, as
an injury to a knee could lead to one or two weeks of graduation degree or who is member of a
disability for a white-collar worker (secretary, manager, recognized professional association related to his
etc.), but a much longer period of disability for blue- or her occupation, and who does not perform any
collar worker such as a tile layer. physical work. These occupations usually involve
the least amount of risk and have a very high degree
It is very important to describe the applicant’s duties of stability.
and the percentages of physical and non-physical Example: lawyer, architect, biologist with no
work in the appropriate sections of the application. laboratory work, physician or specialist such as a
This information will give valuable insight into the psychiatrist.
applicant’s occupation and result in quicker and more Class 3A: Any person with a post-secondary
precise underwriting on our part. diploma who does not perform any physical work.
For example, stating “president” or “owner” of a For the most part, this would include anyone doing
business does not tell the underwriter what the applicant paperwork at a desk or carrying out customary office
actually does. The owner of a restaurant who only business. The environment and circumstances
performs supervision and administrative duties would be surrounding the business should be those normally
classified as 3A, but if he or she are regularly involved associated with the average business office.
in the preparation of food and or serving the clients, the Example: office clerk, secretary, architectural
applicant could be classified as 1A or 2A, subject to the technician who does not work in the field.
percentage of physical work.
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