Page 29 - iA Excellence -Field Underwriting Guide - Updated on July 2019

LIMITATIONS Change in occupation
An occupational class enhancement is Once an occupational class is approved and the
not allowed for drivers/truckers, child care contract issued, the occupational class is guaranteed,
educators, farm owners, forestry workers and as long as the insured continues to work full-time
all occupations defined as Class C. according to the definition of the contract. Even if
the insured’s new occupation represents a higher-
risk occupational class, the insured will continue to
Multiple occupations with different pay the lower premiums based on the occupational
occupational classes class given at time of issue. However, in the event
(to a maximum of two) of a disability claim, the “regular occupation”
If an applicant has more than one occupation, performed prior to the onset of disability will apply
individual consideration will be given on a case- under the contract’s definition of total disability.
by-case basis. In general, the applicant would be For example, an application for insurance is approved
classified between the lowest occupational class with occupational class 3A because the insured is
and the highest occupational class, taking into an office clerk and chose the “Extension to Age
consideration the hours worked at each occupation 65” option for his Regular occupation. The client
and the percentage of income for each occupation. later submits a disability claim and it is determined
The definition of regular occupation would be that that the pre-disability occupational class should be
of the chosen class, and a discrepancy note would B because the client is now working as a forestry
have to be approved and signed by the applicant truck driver. The maximum duration of the regular
stating that in the case of a claim, in order for the occupation definition will, therefore, be limited to
applicant to be considered disabled, he or she must 5 years because “regular occupation to age 65” is
be so for all the different occupations the applicant not available for occupational class B. It is important
has. to note that only occupational classes B and C do
not qualify for an “Up to Age 65” regular occupation
In such a case, because the underwriter has already
applied a kind of enhancement to the occupational definition.
class, the applicant will not be eligible for the Of course, this does not prevent a client from
enhancement of occupational class provided by the applying for a modification of occupational class
contract. should he or she change to an occupation that
represents less risk than the previous one. An
underwriter will review the new occupation, but no
other proof of insurability would be required.

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