FAQs

Billing/Payment

estionIs my premium outstanding? / How much do I owe and for what period? /  When is my premium due?

nswerFor answers to these questions, please contact our Customer Service team at 1-800-267-2242 or email clientexperience@lawyersfinancial.ca or use this form to ask your specific question.
 

Can I change my premium payment option?

Yes. Several options are available. The most popular and convenient option is monthly Pre-Authorized Chequing (PAC).

We also accept telephone banking and online banking payments with all major Canadian banks. If you already have this service, you can access our account as “CBIA/AABC”. To arrange for this service, please contact your bank.
 

Are client invoices accessible online?

Client invoices are not accessible online at this time.
 

If my payment is due on the first of the month, is there a grace period?

Yes, you have 31 days after the due date to make sure that your payment is received by our head office.
If your account is outstanding beyond 31 days, your insurance coverage will lapse. If payment is received after the 31 days, we may extend an offer to reinstate your coverage, however this offer could be subject to underwriting approval.
 

I paid my premiums when I received my billing statement but received a second notice for premiums outstanding. Why?

We apologize for this. It’s possible that your payment and our second invoice crossed in the mail. Please check the print date on the second invoice to see if it was sent around the same time you sent payment.
 

I didn’t receive my Billing Statement.

Have you moved recently and forgotten to update us with your new address? If this is the case, please contact our Customer Service team at 1-800-267-2242 with your new address so that we may update our records. Or email the information to clientexperience@lawyersfinancial.ca or use this form. If this is not the case, you should be receiving a statement from us shortly as we will send a reminder if we have not received your payment. If you are still concerned, please contact a member of our Customer Service team.
 

Why did my premium increase?

There are two primary reasons why your premium may have increased:

  • Term Life and Disability premiums are set in 5-year age bands. You may have reached the next age band.
  • Your premiums may have increased due to an overall rate change.

If these reasons don’t satisfy your question, please contact your Lawyers Financial Advisor to discuss further.
 

How do I change my banking information on my Pre-Authorized Payment plan?

Simply fax a sample void cheque from your new account, along with instructions to change your bank account, to us at 1-866-792-5276.  Please be sure to include your CBIA/Lawyers Financial account number.
 

Can I pay by credit card?

We do not accept credit card payments at this time.
 

I no longer reside in Canada; can I set up a Pre-Authorized Payment plan with my local bank?

Pre-Authorized payments can only be accepted from a Canadian financial institution. Please contact your Lawyers Financial Advisor to discuss other options.
 

How can I make a Wire payment?

You can wire your payment to:
Bank of Montreal
Transit # 24292-001
5140 Yonge Street
North York, Ontario  M2N 6L7

Please provide your CBIA/Lawyers Financial Billing Account Number and the amount of the premium plus $17 for banking fees. Please include in your wire instruction that the Bank of Montreal is to notify the CBIA on receipt of the wire payment. Once we are notified of receipt of payment, our records will be updated.
 

How do I change my address?

Click here to submit your new address to our Customer Service team. Or feel free to contact us at 1-800-267-2242 or email clientexperience@lawyersfinancial.ca.

General Products / Coverage

Do I have to be a CBA member to access CBIA/Lawyers Financial insurance or investment products?

No. Our products are available to the entire Canadian legal community, including lawyers, their families and employees. Click here for a list of our Advisors.

I would like more information on your products.

Please contact your local Lawyers Financial Advisor. Click here for a list of our Advisors. Or you can click here to submit your inquiry directly or email us at clientexperience@lawyersfinancial.ca.

How do I increase or decrease my coverage?

Please contact your local Lawyers Financial Advisor. Click here to find the Advisor near you.
 

How do I change my beneficiary?

Please contact your local Lawyers Financial Advisor. Click here to find the Advisor near you.
 

I want to cancel my coverage; what is required?

We require an original signed letter requesting cancellation from the policy owner. It can be mailed to your local Advisor or directly to our Head Office at:
CBIA/Lawyers Financial
500 – 5 Park Home Avenue
Toronto, Ontario M2N 6L4
 

How do I submit a claim on my disability coverage or report the death of an insured?

Contact our Head Office at 1-800-267-2242 or by fax at 1–866-792-5276.
 

How do I order a replacement for a lost certificate?

Please contact your local Lawyers Financial Advisor. Click here to find the Advisor near you.

Why doesn't the pharmacy accept my health card to pay my medication?

For the Employee Benefits Plan and Individual Health and Dental Plan, the pharmacy will accept your health card. However, if you have a Retiree Health and Dental Plan, you have to pay for your medication first and then send a claim form to be reimbursed.

If your question has not been answered, click here to submit your question to our Customer Service team. Or feel free to contact us at 1-800-267-2242 or email clientexperience@lawyersfinancial.ca.

Automatic Increase Benefit (AIB) with Term Life Insurance

Why is my insurance coverage amount increasing?

Your insurance coverage includes an Automatic Increase Benefit (AIB) that provides you with an annual 10% increase in your coverage without medical evidence. For full details of this benefit, please speak to your Lawyers Financial Advisor.
 

How much will it cost?

Your December 1st invoice (mailed in late-October) will reflect the 10% increase in your coverage. Because your premium is based on your age and our rates in-force effective December 1st, we cannot give you an exact cost at this time. However, your Lawyers Financial Advisor can provide you with an estimated cost.

Please be assured that your increased face amount will not negatively impact your cost per $1000 of benefit.
 

How many increases am I entitled to receive?

You are entitled to an annual face amount increase equal to 10% of the original face amount:

  • for up to 10 years, or
  • until you are 56, or
  • your total coverage exceeds $1.75 million.

For full details of this benefit, please speak to your Lawyers Financial Advisor.
 

I didn’t ask for this, why did I get it?

This benefit is automatically included with your Term Life benefit. For full details of this benefit, please speak to your Lawyers Financial Advisor.
 

Do I have to do anything to get this benefit?

No. The increase is automatic and does not require any action on your part. Your face amount of coverage will increase annually until you tell us you no longer want this benefit or you reach the maximum number of increases, age or face amount.
 

I don’t want the increase. How do I cancel?

Please contact your Lawyers Financial Advisor or our Customer Service Department at 1-800-267-2242 to obtain our opt-out form. This form will need to be signed by the owner and returned to us before we can proceed with the cancellation of this benefit.

Please note that cancelling this increase will terminate the AIB and no further increases will be offered. Should you wish to add the benefit back onto your coverage in the future, you will need to provide proof of your good health and be approved by our Insurer.

 

If your question has not been answered, click here to submit your question to our Customer Service team. Or feel free to contact us at 1-800-267-2242 or email clientexperience@lawyersfinancial.ca.

Employee Benefit Plan

Can we pay our Employee Benefits Insurance premiums by Pre-Authorized Chequing, Telephone Banking or Internet Banking?

Yes. You may pay your Employee Benefits Insurance premiums through any of these listed payment methods:

To pay by Pre-Authorized Chequing, please complete this form and either mail or fax it to us along with a void cheque for the account you wish us to withdraw from. Pre-Authorized withdrawals are made on the 1st of each month.

Mail:
CBIA / Lawyers Financial
500 - 5 Park Home Avenue
Toronto, ON  M2N 6L4
Fax:  1-866-792-5267

To access Telephone or On-line banking services, we are identified as “CBIA/AABC”. If you do not currently have this banking service and would like to set it up, please contact your bank directly.
 

I recently enrolled in a Lawyers Financial Employee Benefits Plan. When can expect to receive my ID card and Booklet?

These items will be sent to your group administrator approximately one month after we receive your registration. You can also obtain these directly from the Desjardins website.
 

How do I change my beneficiary on my Employee Benefits Plan?

Please contact your group administrator for the appropriate form. Or you can contact a member of our Customer Service team. Click here to submit your inquiry directly or feel free to contact us at 1-800-267-2242 or by email at clientexperience@lawyersfinancial.ca.

If your question has not been answered, click here to submit your question to our Customer Service team. Or feel free to contact us at 1-800-267-2242 or email clientexperience@lawyersfinancial.ca.