Surgical Risk Insurance Benefit

Peace of mind for surgery preparation

Every surgical procedure, no matter how routine, carries risks. When facing a planned or non-emergent surgical procedure, patients and their families often experience anxiety not only about the procedure itself but also about the potential financial impact should the unexpected occur.

The Wawanesa Group Benefits team is partnering with SAMOS Insurance Solutions, a Canadian-based company and the developer of the world’s only Surgical Risk Insurance (SRI) offering. Through this partnership, Wawanesa becomes the first group insurance carrier to include SRI coverage, showing our commitment to the well-being of our members and their dependents.

Our Surgical Risk Insurance benefit provides eligible Plan Members aged 20 to 71 with a benefit amount of $25,000 or an eligible Dependent $5,000 in addition to their Group Life or Dependent Life coverageCoverage options may vary by product and group. in the event of accidental death during a planned surgery. SRI covers the Plan Member from when they depart home for the medical facility where their surgery is taking place to when they return home or to a designated place of recovery. By adding the SRI benefit into our existing Group products, we are ensuring our Plan Members have greater peace of mind as they prepare for their upcoming surgery.

Surgical Risk Insurance provides peace of mind for Plan Members who:

Have an upcoming scheduled non-emergent surgery.
Determine their current life insurance coverage may be insufficient.
Want to ensure their loved ones are financially protected in the event of accidental death during surgery.
Are eligible for Plan Member Life or Dependent Life coverage under their current Group plan.

Did you know?

The volume of surgeries in Canada has been increasing, reaching almost 2.4 million procedures per year.[1]

The average person has 9.2 surgeries in their lifetime, and postoperative deaths are the third leading cause of mortality.[2]

3 in 5 Canadians would purchase insurance ahead of their surgery, recognizing the need for additional protection during this vulnerable time.[3]

Do you have an upcoming planned surgery?

Surgical Risk Insurance is included in all Group Benefits plans that have Plan Member Life or Dependent Life coverage. Register your SRI coverage to access additional support and financial resources that can assist you before, during, and after your surgery.

No additional medical requirements
No waiting period
Increase your coverage to fit your needs
Certificate of Insurance to give to your beneficiaries.
Individualized care information provided after surgery
Compassionate and timely claims support

Online registration in as little as 5 minutes

Obtaining your Certificate of Insurance is simple, easy and secure:

Visit our registration portal.

Enter your personal details and designate a beneficiary.

Enter your surgery details using our interactive body map to pinpoint the details.

Download your Certificate of Insurance and provide it to your beneficiary.

One solution: Simple, accessible protection

We’re focused on Plan Member well-being

We are always looking for ways to expand our Group Benefits offering to help businesses attract and retain top talent while delivering flexible, integrated solutions that support their health and wellness goals.

Our Surgical Risk Insurance benefit offers a modern approach to protecting Plan Members during critical healthcare moments.

Comprehensive coverage

We have included our Surgical Risk Insurance benefit into our standard Plan Member Life and Dependent Life coverage. There is no additional cost, medical requirement, or waiting period for Plan Members to be eligibleTo qualify for reimbursement under the Surgical Risk Insurance benefit, the planned surgery must meet eligibility criteria for Plan Members. for this benefit.

Coverage

Surgical Risk Insurance benefit would reimburse the Plan Member $25,000 or an eligible Dependent $5,000 in the event of accidental death during surgery.

Eligibility

All Canadians aged 20-71 who have a planned or non-emergent surgical procedure in Canada.

Coverage period

Surgical Risk Insurance benefit is active from when you leave home for surgery until you return home or arrive at a designated place of recovery.

Personalized Support

Plan members are encouraged to register their SRI coverage before their scheduled procedure to take full advantage of the personalized support provided by the concierge team.

Procedure requirements

Covered procedures must be scheduled at least 14 days in advance and cannot involve acute trauma, medical emergencies, or life-threatening conditions.

Insured risks

Covers a wide range of planned procedures including abdominal, cardiac, obstetric, joint, spinal, reproductive, and laparoscopic surgeries.

Key features

No medical requirements:
No additional health-related questions or exams beyond identifying the date, place and type of procedure being performed.
Compassionate and timely claims support:
Benefits paid to confirmed beneficiaries within 48 hours of receiving complete claim documentation.
Peace of mind:
Plan Members benefit from additional coverage through their Group Benefits at no extra cost.

Frequently Asked Questions: Plan Member

Who is SAMOS Insurance Solutions?

Wawanesa is proud to partner with SAMOS to meet the needs of our members by offering the world’s first Surgical Risk Insurance (SRI) product.

Built in Canada, SAMOS was founded by specialists in health-tech, med-tech, data science and insurance who came together around a single mission: to develop innovative insurance products for today’s patients.

With its automated underwriting engine, SAMOS offers a quick and simple way for patients to get insurance coverage during this crucial moment in their lives.

What procedures are not covered?

While the SRI benefit covers a long list of approved medical procedures, the following are not covered:

acute trauma
life threatening conditions
emergent request for surgery
planned surgery that is rescheduled to a date sooner than planned due to a change in health status
injury or disability as a direct result of surgical complications

Why do I need to register when I have an upcoming medical procedure?

Registering for an upcoming medical procedure ensures you are sent a Certificate of Insurance which verifies that the procedure is eligible, and assigned beneficiaries have what they need in the event a claim needs to be filed. In addition, other valuable resources are provided before and after the scheduled medical procedure.

Can I top up or add more coverage?

During registration, Plan Members have the option to increase their Surgical Risk Insurance coverage or consider additional life coverage tailored to their current situation, at an additional cost.

What timeframe does the SRI benefit cover?

SRI covers the time from when you leave your point of origin to travel to the medical facility where your procedure takes place to when you return home or arrive at a designated place of recovery.

What is the claims process?

In the unfortunate event that there should be a claim, your appointed beneficiary can submit the required documents within 30 days after the accidental death through the claim portal. Benefits are issued in as little as 48 hours.

We are continually expanding our employee well-being benefits. Contact us today to learn more about our benefits plans.

Are you a Plan Sponsor?

Contact your Broker or Agent to learn more about our product suite and how Wawanesa can support your business.

Are you an Advisor?

Contact your Wawanesa Regional Group Manager or National Manager for more information about the products and services we offer.