Answers to Questions that ACE receives most often
If you have other questions about the Direct Energy Payment Protection Plan that are not answered here, please call ACE INA Life Insurance at 1-800-968-9973. For peace of mind: Plan, Protect, Provide. It's that simple.
Who may apply?
You must be a Direct Energy Home Services customer with a residential account with Enbridge Gas Distribution; and
- your Enbridge Gas Distribution account must be active and in good standing; and
- you must be a Canadian Resident; and
- you must be over 18 years of age and under 65 years of age to apply.
Single Coverage is available and joint coverage is also available if two individuals within the same household wish to .
What is meant by Regular Charges?
Regular Charges are defined as:
- all natural gas related amounts payable to Enbridge Gas Distribution on your Rate 1 account either based on your equal billing plan amount or actual/estimated consumption; and
- rental charges, Heating Protection Plan charges (if enrolled) and Cooling Protection Plan charges (if enrolled) payable to Direct Energy Services Inc.; and
- Finance Plan installments payable to Direct Energy Services Inc.
Services excluded from the Payment Protection Plan are repair or service work charged by either Direct Energy Services Inc. or any other items not expressly contemplated under the definition of Regular Charges.
What is my Finance Plan balance?
The Finance Plan balance is the amount owed to Direct Energy Services Inc. for financed merchandise on your Enbridge bill. This includes purchases that appear on your Enbridge bill with a deferred payment feature as well as regular payment finance plans.
What is the Seasonal Postponement option?
You may elect to delay the monthly benefits for up to 4 months from the date of your loss of employment or temporary total disability to take advantage of seasonal fluctuations in the Regular Charges on your Enbridge Gas Distribution account. Benefits will only be paid up to the date you return to work, you close your Enbridge Gas Distribution account, or for six months, whichever comes first.
Is there other Important Information I should know?
In addition to the chart shown under The Payment Protection Plan details, the following are important details you should know about the benefits of the Payment Protection Plan:
Involuntary Unemployment
If, prior to your 65th birthday, you are and have been enrolled in the Payment Protection Plan for at least 45 days and you experience Involuntarily Unemployment due to your employer laying you off or permanently ending your employment, you may qualify for this benefit.
You may elect to postpone the monthly benefit for up to 4 months from the date of your Involuntary Unemployment to take advantage of seasonal fluctuations in your monthly Regular Charges. Benefits will only be paid up to the date you return to work, the date you close your Enbridge Gas Distribution account, or for six months, whichever comes first.
Critical Illness
If prior to your 65th birthday, you are and have been enrolled in the Payment Protection Plan for at least 90 days and you are diagnosed with any of the following critical illnesses:
- heart attack
- cancer
- kidney failure
- stroke
you may qualify for this benefit.
Temporary Total Disability
You may elect to postpone the monthly benefit for up to 4 months from the date of your Temporary Total Disability to take advantage of seasonal fluctuations in your monthly Regular Charges. Benefits will only be paid up to the date you return to work, the date you close your Enbridge Gas Distribution account, or for six months, whichever comes first.
Permanent Total Disability
To claim this benefit you must be Permanently Totally Disabled for 12 consecutive months and thereafter it must be determined that the Permanent Total Disability is total, permanent, and irreversible and certified to be such by a physician acceptable to ACE INA Life Insurance.
Life/Accidental Death
If your beneficiary moves from the service address of your Enbridge Gas Distribution account during the 12 months immediately following your death and remains an Enbridge customer, the benefits for your Regular Charges will continue for any remaining months to a maximum of 12 months in total.
How are premiums calculated?
Your premiums (the cost of this insurance) are based on the type of coverage you have selected (Single or Joint) and your Regular Charges and Finance Plan balance shown on your previous month's Enbridge bill.
For single coverage, the cost is $7.50 for every $100.00 of Regular Charges and $0.15 for every $100.00 of Finance Plan balance.
For joint coverage, the cost is $12.00 for every $100.00 of Regular Charges and $0.20 for every $100.00 of Finance Plan balance.
All applicable taxes are added to the premium at time of billing.
Premiums are subject to change and are not guaranteed.
Premiums are charged directly to your Enbridge bill each month based on your previous month's Regular Charges and Finance Plan balance.
Example
If your monthly Regular Charges were $134.95, your monthly premium would be:
- Single coverage: $10.12
- Joint coverage: $16.19
Note: All applicable taxes are added to the premiums at billing.
You will receive the appropriate credit for insurance premiums on your next bill should your Regular Charges and/or Finance Plan balance show a credit for the previous month.
Try our interactive Premium Calculator to estimate your monthly premium.
How do I make a Claim?
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You or your representative must contact ACE INA Life Insurance within 90 days of your loss of employment, temporary total disability, permanent total disability or death. |
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ACE INA Life Insurance will forward to you or your representative the instructions and appropriate claim form to complete. |
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Upon receipt of all required claims documentation, ACE INA Life Insurance will assess the claim and notify you or your representative by return mail of any benefits under the Direct Energy Home Services Payment Protection Plan within 5 business days. |
Can I apply for loss of employment benefits if I'm self-employed?
Yes, if while enrolled in the Payment Protection Plan, you have declared bankruptcy as a result of actions initiated by a creditor.
Is there a waiting period or an elimination period if I have a claim?
Coverage must be in force for at least 180 consecutive days immediately prior to your Death or Permanent Total Disability to claim life insurance benefits or Permanent Total Disability benefits.
Coverage must be in force for at least 45 consecutive days immediately prior to your Involuntary Unemployment to claim for Involuntary Unemployment benefits.
Coverage must be in force for at least 90 consecutive days immediately prior to your Critical Illness diagnosis to claim for benefits.
There is a pre-existing condition exclusion if you suffered from a sickness or sustained an injury for which you received medical advice, consultation, investigation, or diagnosis. This exclusion also applies if treatment was required or recommended by a licensed physician during the 24 months prior to Your Effective Date as set out on Your Schedule of Coverage.
For Temporary Total Disability and Involuntary Unemployment claims, any monthly benefits payable shall begin on the 31st day of the Temporary Total Disability or Involuntary Unemployment.
If you are out of work less than 30 days due to Temporary Total Disability or as a result of Involuntary Unemployment, no benefits will be paid.
For Permanent Total Disability claims, you must be Permanently Totally Disabled for at least 12 consecutive months.
Will I still be charged premiums when I am on claim?
No, while you are receiving a monthly benefit for Critical Illness, Temporary Total Disability or Involuntary Unemployment, ACE INA Life Insurance will not charge premiums on the Regular Charges or on the Finance Plan balance shown on your Enbridge bill.
When will my benefits end?
Your monthly Temporary Total Disability, Critical Illness and your Involuntary Unemployment benefits end on the earlier of the date you return to work, you close your Enbridge Gas Distribution account, or when the maximum number of monthly payments has been reached. If you elect to postpone your monthly benefits (Seasonal Postponement) when submitting your claim for Temporary Total Disability or Involuntary Unemployment, benefits will only be paid up to the date you return to work, you close your Enbridge Gas Distribution account, or 6 months, whichever comes first.
