A Profile in Multitasking: Nima Laghapour Lighvan
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Transition to practice with confidence.
Tools and resources for new dentists.
As a new dentist your financial priorities are about to change. CDSPI is here to help. We are a not-for-profit organization with a mandate to arrange programs for the benefit of dentists who are members of CDSPI’s member associations. The no-cost coverage you enjoyed as a student and the new dentist discounts are important ways CDSPI contributes to the future of dentistry.
What now? First things first. Make sure you have the right protection. Choose which situation fits you:
When you graduated, your CDSPI student insurance coverage automatically transitioned with you* at no cost until December 31. However, many new dentists need more coverage to protect their increased income and financial obligations - CDSPI has made it easy with two time-limited offers to get more coverage now and secure discounts once you start paying on January 1, next year.
Step One: Complete and return the TripleGuard™ Insurance Activation Form to insurance@cdspi.com by December 31 of your final year, and you will go from $15,000 dental tools coverage to $50,000 contents coverage plus protection for liability and practice interruption. This protection is offered in one convenient, cost-effective package with no cost until January next year, then receive a 50% premium discount for three years**.
Step Two: Enrol online now for the Optional Grad package to get higher coverage limits for life and/or disability insurance. Plus, receive premium discounts if your application is received before December 31 of your final year.
*Provided you are not on claim or satisfying an elimination period.
**Regular premium rates are subject to change and not guaranteed.
|
|
Life Insurance |
Accidental Death & Dismemberment |
DisabilityGuard™ |
| Double-Up Graduate Package Coverage (what you currently have, unless you are over 40¹) |
$200,000 | $200,000 |
|
| Coverage you can have with the Optional Grad Package | $500,000 | $500,000 |
|
| Reduction on Regular Premiums starting January 1, after graduation |
50% premium reduction for 3 years |
50% premium reduction for 3 years | 15% lifetime premium reduction to age 65² |
We’ve created these bundles because that is what most new dentists need. If, however, you’d like to make any changes, it’s easy. Just contact an Advisor and they can walk you through your choices such as:
- Changing your elimination period to increase or decrease your premiums
- Cancelling or purchasing additional insurance products
- Ensuring we have your most up-to-date contact and banking information.
- Changing your guaranteed DisabilityGuard™ premiums rates from step to level, or if you’re ready, complete this simple change form and send to insurance@cdspi.com
Learn more:
- FAQ
- Go to New Dentists Resources to find out about Malpractice Insurance and strategies to reduce your risk, plus valuable articles, podcasts and webinars
¹ If over 40 years old, your No Cost Undergrad Plan limits do not double, to increase coverage you can enrol online for the Optional Grad package to get higher coverage limits for life and/or disability insurance.
² For DisabilityGuard Insurance, you will receive a 15% reduction on regular premiums for the life of the policy. Premiums are guaranteed to age 65.
Students graduating in the year 2026 onwards, must be a member of the Canadian Dental Association or provincial or territorial dental association, which, at the relevant time, is a corporate member of the Canadian Dental Association, in order to be eligible for the premium reductions.
A full description of coverage and eligibility, including precise details, terms, conditions, exclusions, restrictions and limitations can be found in the insurance contracts and Policy Terms and Conditions governing each plan.
Don't miss your time-limited TripleGuard™ Insurance offer to upgrade your office protection. While your $15,000 student dental tool No-Cost protection will end on December 31 of your final year, you can upgrade to $50,000 contents coverage plus protection for liability and practice interruption with 50% premium reduction for 3 years.¹ Complete the Activation form before December 31, 2022 to be eligible for the discount and return it to insurance@cdspi.com.
Your insurance upgrade automatically increased when you graduated as shown in the chart below. You are covered at no cost until December 31 of your final year. On January 1, your coverage will continue and premium payments begin with discounts of up to 50% off regular premiums. Renewal packages are mailed out in November.
|
|
Life Insurance |
Accidental Death & Dismemberment |
DisabilityGuard™ |
| Optional Graduate Package Coverage | $500,000 | $500,000 |
|
| Discounts on Regular Premiums starting January 1, 2023 | 50% premium reduction for 3 years | 50% premium reduction for 3 years² | 15% lifetime premium reduction² |
We’ve created these bundles because that is what most new dentists need. If, however, you’d like to make any changes, it’s easy. Just contact an Advisor and they can walk you through your choices such as:
- Changing your elimination period to increase or decrease your premiums
- Cancelling or purchasing additional insurance products
- Ensuring we have your most up-to-date contact and banking information
- Changing your guaranteed DisabilityGuard™ premiums rates from step to level, or if you’re ready, complete this simple change form and send to insurance@cdspi.com
Learn more:
- FAQ
- Go to New Dentists Resources to find out about Malpractice Insurance and strategies to reduce your risk and valuable articles, podcasts and webinars.
¹Regular premium rates are subject to change and not guaranteed.
²For DisabilityGuard Insurance, you will receive a 15% reduction on regular premiums for the life of the policy. Premiums are guaranteed to age 65.
Students graduating in the year 2026 onwards, must be a member of the Canadian Dental Association or provincial or territorial dental association, which, at the relevant time, is a corporate member of the Canadian Dental Association, in order to be eligible for the premium reductions.
A full description of coverage and eligibility, including precise details, terms, conditions, exclusions, restrictions and limitations can be found in the insurance contracts and Policy Terms and Conditions governing each plan.
With CDSPI you will get the best products for dentists at highly competitive rates. An insurance plan from CDSPI is backed by the group purchasing power of Canadian dentists. With the support of the dental community behind us we have negotiated with the insurers for the features and benefits most important to dentists.
CDSPI’s mission, structure and not-for-profit status sets us apart from other financial services organizations by offering unbiased advice, education, and customized solutions for Canadian dentists.
Here are a few valuable new dentist solutions:
- $3,500/month of DisabilityGuard™ Insurance including Own Occupation protection, Cost of Living and Future Insurability Guarantee riders, plus guaranteed level premiums to age 65. Apply now.
- $1 million Life Insurance without medical exams for those under age 50
- TripleGuard™ Office Insurance including contents coverage, protection for general liability and practice interruption
- $500,000 Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance
CDSPI is here to help with everything you need to know to maintain your sense of financial well-being. Contact us to learn more, book a meeting, request a quote or ask a question.
Go to New Dentists Resources to find out about Malpractice Insurance and strategies to reduce your risk plus valuable articles, podcasts and webinars.
A full description of coverage and eligibility, including precise details, terms, conditions, exclusions, restrictions and limitations can be found in the insurance contracts and Policy Terms and Conditions governing each plan.
New Dentist Resources
Frequently Asked Questions: General
While you're in an undergraduate dentistry program, your CDSPI student insurance plan is available at no-cost. Once you graduate, you're entitled to a 50% premium reduction on life, accident and office insurance for three years after graduation ( the three-year period begins the January after you graduate). You'll also be eligible for a 15% lifetime premium reduction on disability insurance.
If you are pursuing graduate studies or a residence and paying your insurance premiums in a financial strain, there is an option to put your policy on hold for 6 months to 3 years. Keep in mind, there are implications to putting your DisabilityGuard™ Insurance policy on hold. For example, if you become disabled during that time, you aren't covered and won't receive any benefits.
Once your coverage is on hold, you won't be able to reinstate it early without medical evidence - it's therefore a good idea to speak with a CDSPI advisor to determine a hold period that's right for you.
Yes, you can have coverage with more than one company and in fact many people do. If you do have insurance in multiple places, however, we recommend gaining an understanding of how benefits are paid out with each provider.
When you have insurance with more than one provider, some companies consider all policies when paying benefits. With our DisabilityGuard™ Insurance plan, however, the policy pays out regardless of whether you have a disability policy elsewhere in the event of total disability*.
*Partial disability payments are based on your income loss.
CDSPI offers students a comprehensive package designed to protect you. While you are a student, this package comes at no cost to you, so it's to your benefit to keep the whole package.
If, after graduation, you no longer want the full package, you are free to make changes to suit your needs. We recommend contacting an insurance advisor before making any changes, so they can help you make the best insurance choices for your individual situation. Keep in mind, should you cancel your CDSPI coverage and re-apply later, you will lose out on the reduced premiums you're entitled to today.
There are a few ways you can lower your insurance premium:
- Lengthen the elimination period
- Adjust and/or reduce the amount of coverage you have
- Remove some of the options that come with your plan
We recommend speaking with one of our insurance advisors before making any changes to your plan, as they can help you make the best decisions for your individual situation. Call 1.800.561.9401 to speak with an advisor or email us at insurance@cdspi.com.
CDSPI offers the option to put your plan on hold for six months to three years. During this period, you do not have to pay premiums - at the same time, however, you will not have coverage. Once your coverage is on hold, you won't be able to reinstate it early without medical evidence - it's therefore a good idea to speak with one of our advisors to determine a hold period that's right for you.
If you have Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment and/or DisabilityGuard™ Insurance, you can keep them as they are or customize as long as you move within Canada or the U.S. If you move to the U.S., you cannot increase coverage except under the Future Income Guarantee option for DisabilityGuard.
An insurance plan from CDSPI is backed by the group purchasing power of Canadian dentists. With the support of the dental community behind us we can negotiate with the insurers to obtain competitive pricing and features important to dentists. Plus, CDSPI works exclusively with dentists and dental students, so we understand your unique needs, risks and opportunities.
Our non-commissioned insurance advisors with CDSPI Advisory Services Inc. are dedicated to supporting you with the advice and solutions that will protect you today and throughout your career. Students with the No-Cost Undergraduate coverage are eligible for a 15% lifetime discount on the DisabilityGuard™ plan with guaranteed premiums and renewal options identical to an individual plan.
We’re happy to discuss our policy features with you at any time. Call 1.800.561.9401 to speak with one of our insurance advisors from CDSPI Advisory Services Inc. or email us at .
At CDSPI, our mission is to meet the specific needs of the Canadian dental community. For over 60 years we have worked exclusively with dentists and dental students, so we understand both the challenges you face and the opportunities that lie ahead. The unbiased advice offered by our non-commissioned advisors at CDSPI Advisory Services Inc. has just one goal: To help you succeed and protect what’s most important to you at all stages of your career. Our interests are aligned with yours – you are at the heart of everything we do.
Plus, as a not-for-profit organization, we do not have shareholders. This means we pass on positive results to you. This structure has allowed us to provide no-cost insurance to students, reduced premiums for new graduates, and preferred rates to our clients. In some years, premiums for certain products have even gone down!
Our commitment to the dental community also extends beyond the products and solutions we offer. We are passionate about giving back through our Members’ Assistance Program (MAP), which offers short-term counseling, referrals, information and support systems for your physical, emotional and mental wellbeing. We know that supporting your health goes hand in hand with supporting your career, your financial needs and your family.
Frequently Asked Questions: Disability Insurance
DisabilityInsurance is designed to replace your income if you are unable to work due to an injury or illness; therefore, it is important to obtain the maximum amount you are eligible for which is based on your income. To determine the right amount for you, go to the CDSPI DisabilityGuard Insurance Premium Calculator.
There are many factors that can influence the premium of an insurance policy. As you compare policies, it's important to understand the answers to the following questions:
- Are the elimination periods the same?
- Is the amount of coverage the same?
- What is the premium structure? For instance, is it a step or level structure?
- What additional options exist within the plan?
- Is there a future insurance guarantee?
- Is there a cost-of-living adjustment? If so, what is the indexing percentage?
Some of these questions may be difficult to answer on your own. One of our insurance advisors from CDSPI Insurance Advisory Inc. would be happy to walk through your policy so you can understand what it includes. Call 1.800.561.9401 to speak with an advisor or email us at insurance@cdspi.com
At CDSPI, we are always speaking with out clients and looking for feedback. That's why we enhanced our disability policy to include features that dentists requested and require, including:
- The option for guaranteed rates until age 65: you can still choose a step-rate system if premiums are a challenge. With this system, you pay lower premiums when you're younger and higher premiums as you get older.
- A higher maximum benefit payout: it increased to $25,000 from $12,000
- Own occupation included at no additional cost. This means your disability is determined by your inability to perform the duties of your specific occupation - not simply any paid employment you might be qualified for.
- Future Insurance Guarantee: this is the ability to increase your coverage without evidence of good health. No medical questions or testing required.
We're happy to discuss our policy features with you. Call 1.800.561.9401 to speak with one of our advisors.
Step and Level premiums apply to our DisabilityGuard™ Insurance.
A Step premium is designed with a premium rate that increases in 5-year age bands - your premium rates are guaranteed from when you are approved for your policy up to age 65.
You may consider a Step premium if you'd like to start our by paying a lower premium and have the premium increase as your age increases - which is also when your income is also more likely to increase.
A Level premium, meanwhile, involves you paying the same premium until the January after you turn 65. The premium is also guaranteed but it will be higher to begin with, but it won't increase as you age.
You may want to consider a Level premium if you prefer paying a consistent premium until age 65. Your premiums will change to Step rates for ages 65-69 and 70-74.
Whichever option you choose, your premiums are guaranteed until age 65. Starting the January after you turn 65, you will have guaranteed Step rates from ages 65-69; and then when you turn 70, your rates from 70-74 will also be guaranteed.
An elimination period is basically a waiting period. It is the amount of time that must elapse from the first day of your disability to the day you can begin receiving benefits.
CDSPI offers one of the shortest elimination periods available for disability insurance - 30 days - which gives you access to your benefits as soon as possible.
You can change your waiting period, and it's one way to reduce your premiums - generally, the longer the waiting period, the lower your premium.
If you're comparing insurance plans from different companies, it's important to know what the elimination/waiting period is for each one, so you're making an accurate comparison. And if you're considering extending your elimination period in order to reduce your premium, it's worth asking yourself how you would get by without your income for 30, 60, or 90 days. If you couldn't pay your bills without your income, a 30-day elimination period may be worth the extra premium.
In general, the longer the waiting period, the lower your premium will be. There are many factors that influence your premiums, we have provided a few examples to give you a general idea of how the waiting period affects what you pay.
The below amounts are based on $3,500, with Own Occupation, Cost of Living Adjustment, and Future Insurance Guarantee options, being a non-smoker, HealthEdge rates annual premiums, and before the lifetime 15% new graduate reduction in premium.
| 30 - Step | 30 - Level | 60 - Step | 60 - Level | 90 - Step | 90 - Level | |
| Male 27 | 948.43 | 1323.28 | 680.08 | 939.50 | 562.57 | 711.92 |
| Male 31 | 1100.15 | 1478.87 | 785.31 | 1044.82 | 638.14 | 793.73 |
| Female 27 | 1489.58 | 2149.43 | 1063.86 | 1551.16 | 879.71 | 1259.02 |
| Female 31 | 1606.80 | 2465.37 | 1154.30 | 1807.31 | 946.94 | 1452.99 |
¹ Regular premium rates are subject to change and not guaranteed.
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We're Here to Help
Basic Life Insurance, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance and DisabilityGuard™ Insurance are underwritten by The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company (Manulife), P.O. Box 670, Stn. Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2J 4B8. Manulife has the authority to grant or refuse insurance coverage based on health considerations. Precise details, terms, conditions, and exclusions are set out in the insurance contracts for these plans.
TripleGuard™ and Malpractice Insurance are underwritten by Zurich Insurance Company Ltd (Canadian Branch). CDSPI Malpractice Insurance is offered in all provinces and territories except Alberta, Ontario and Quebec. A full description of coverage and eligibility, including exclusions, restrictions and limitations can be found in the Policy Terms and Conditions governing each plan.
The Excess Malpractice Insurance plan is underwritten by Zurich Insurance Company Ltd (Canadian Branch) and is offered to dentists licensed to practice in the provinces of Alberta or Ontario, who are a member of their provincial dental association and have their primary mandatory malpractice insurance directly from their provincial regulatory body. A full description of coverage and eligibility, including exclusions, restrictions and limitations can be found in the Policy Terms and Conditions governing each plan.