Group insurance protection for life, health, dental, and prescription drugs.

Group Insurance for small businesses with 1 to 10 Employees in Quebec

Group insurance protection for life, health, dental, and prescription drugs.

Do you run a small business with 10 or less employees? Are you interested in setting up a group insurance plan for the benefit of your workers?

There are group insurance products specially designed to meet the needs and budgets of small businesses in Quebec.

This type of plan is also greatly appreciated by employees, and offers a host of advantages for both the employer and the staff.

Learn more about how small business group insurance works, the benefits, and the costs of setting up this program for your company.

If you want to start comparing quotes from reputable insurers, just fill out our free online form below. There is no obligation on your part!

What is small business group insurance?

Based on the explanation by autorité des marchés financiers (AMF), group insurance is a fringe benefit offered by employers to its employees.  This type of insurance is essential because it provides financial security to the employees and their dependents. It also makes access to healthcare easier and more affordable.

This insurance offers a host of additional protections to your employees for their health care on top of the public plan provided by them RAMQ. 

Among the main protections offered by the majority of plans, we find in particular:

  • Drug insurance
  • Life insurance for the employee and his dependents
  • Dental insurance
  • Vision care insurance
  • Disability/salary insurance
  • Travel insurance
  • Health insurance for medical care


The benefits from the public health plan are limited. Group insurance offers wider coverage for your employees

Benefits for employers who offer group insurance plans

As an employer, how does the company benefit from establishing a group insurance plan in your organization?

Small businesses often have difficulty recruiting qualified staff. SMEs that offer a group insurance plan are often perceived as being good employers.

Here are some benefits you could get as a business:

  • Added value to your positions, therefore attracting better candidates
  • Better staff retention in the short, medium, and long term
  • Increased job satisfaction of your employees
  • Improving your reputation 


Offering the possibility of subscribing to group insurance is a huge advantage for your employees which can translate into increased performance at work.

Group insurance benefits for employees

Prescription drug insurance mandatory for Quebecers.

Most employees welcome the opportunity of being enrolled in a group insurance plan at work. In small businesses, this can be a huge draw to help you recruit good candidates.

Here are some examples:

  • The employee benefits from superior insurance for himself and his dependents 
  • Your employees gets access to dental and vision insurance which RAMQ does not offer
  • A basic amount of life insurance is offered without a medical exam
  • Salary and disability insurance is included for the employee
  • Reimbursement percentages in the event of a claim are higher than those of the public plan
  • Your employees generally benefit from better working conditions


Offering group insurance to your employees is therefore very advantageous and can improve work performance and, ultimately, company productivity.

Which insurers offer group insurance in Quebec?

Compare insurers with group insurance in Quebec.

Among the dozens of insurance companies present in Quebec, some specialize in group insurance for small businesses with 1 to 10 employees.

Below you will find insurance companies offering group insurance solutions for Quebec employers:

  • Industrial Alliance
  • Manulife
  • Gardens
  • Sun Life
  • Blue Cross
  • Canada Life
  • Empire Life
  • Royal Bank
  • Beneva


Prices vary from one insurer to another. It is advantageous to compare multiple quotes to save on premiums.

How to find the right group insurance for your small company?

If you are the head of a small business with 1 to 10 employees, your needs in terms of group insurance are surely different from a large organization with more than 100 employees.

That’s why it’s important to get as many options as possible and seek the advice of an insurance professional with expertise in the matter.

Use the form on this page to get a free group insurance quote and compare the prices of several insurers.

When comparing free quotes, make sure to understand the features of the different policies and their prices.  Cheaper does not always mean better.

How does group insurance work?

If you are a resident of Quebec, the law requires you to have health insurance coverage with a public or private plan.  

The Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) administers the public health insurance in Quebec. The plan covers all Quebec residents who do not have a private health insurance plan. Eligible for the public health plan are:

  • Self-employed or employed workers not under a private health plan
  • Residents 65 years or older
  • Beneficiaries of financial assistance in Quebec;
  • Children of residents covered by the public health plan.


Quebecers also need coverage for prescription medications, public or private, which reimburses part of the costs when buying prescription medications.

FAQs about group insurance in Quebec

Are you wrestling with the idea of establishing a group insurance plan for your company? Are you uncertain about the benefits you will gain as an employer and the costs of this action?

We present below the most popular FAQs about group insurance in Quebec to help you with this important decision.

Is group insurance mandatory for Quebec employers or businesses?

Employers are required to offer certain benefits to employees but life, dental, and health insurance are not mandatory.  All employees get basic coverage for health insurance under the public plan administered by the RAMQ.

Are employees required to participate in group insurance plan?

Employees in Quebec are required by law to participate in the group insurance plan if it is offered by the employer.  Group insurance plans are structured under the premise that claims from individuals are shared by the number of its members, hence the name group insurance.  So that the system is efficient, qualified employees must participate and pay the premiums.

Is group insurance tax free?

Quebec charges a retain sales tax of 9% on group health and life benefits.  If premiums are billed by an insurer, the retail sales tax is also charged on the provincial premium tax.

Will the RAMQ check if you have health insurance coverage?

RAMQ checks to ensure Quebecers are registered for public health insurance if they are not covered by a private plan.  When your situation changes, inform the RAMQ, such as when you lose your job as well as your group insurance benefits. 

Likewise, if you obtain group insurance coverage after being registered with the public plan, notify RAMQ.

If you need to change your status with the RAMQ for prescription drug coverage, just fill out the RAMQ online form.  

Where can I get information about group insurance benefits from my company?

The information about plan limits and coverage are usually indicated in a benefits plan booklet provided to you. You can also speak to your employer or the person in charge of your group insurance plan in your company.

How do I keep my health insurance if I quit my job or lose my job? 

Keep in mind that your group insurance is provided by your employer as a benefit.  If you quit or get fired, you will lose your coverage. One way to keep your group insurance is to get one from your professional organization (if you are a member). If you transfer to a new employer, they may offer group insurance to replace your previous one. If not, you can subscribe to the public plan by the RAMQ.

Can I transfer my group life insurance to personal life insurance if I quit my job?

It is possible to convert your group life insurance to personal life insurance if you quit your job under certain conditions. Keep in mind that once you convert your group policy to an individual policy, the insurer will check your eligibility before your policy is approved.  Your premiums will also change.

What is the average cost of group insurance premiums?

Every plan is unique based on the insurer and the company entering into the insurance contract. Plans are designed based on what the employer deems as important to include in the group plan.  Premiums are calculated using the insurer’s premium rates and the type of coverage.

The average cost of a group insurance plan is about $1,500 to $4,000 per annum for each employee. The premiums are shared by the employer and the employees.

We understand you may have additional questions regarding group insurance that we have not covered here. Feel free to connect with our partner insurers to get answers tailored to your needs. Just fill out the form on this page, free of charge!

Compare group insurance prices for your business

As an employer, you want your employees to benefit from group insurance so they don’t need to worry about access to medical care or life insurance.

The truth is that many workers decide on their employment based on life and health insurance coverage. For instance, they can decide to move to a new company if they can get group insurance benefits not provided by their current employer.

Thus, we support you in wanting to set up a group insurance plan for your small business. 

We can help you find the right policy tailored to your needs by connecting you with our reliable and expert insurance brokers. Our partners will be happy to shop around and find the best coverage and prices for you, free of charge!

Just fill out the short online form below and receive FREE and NO OBLIGATION quotes for group insurance in Quebec!