Group Benefits · Toronto & Canada

Transforming group benefits in Toronto & across Canada.

A group benefits broker based in Toronto, helping employers in Ontario and all across Canada design, price, and manage benefits plans that work for their people and their budget.

Get a free assessment

Walrus Benefits is a group benefits broker based in Toronto, helping employers across Ontario and all of Canada rethink how their benefits plans are built. We were founded by former insurance-company underwriters and account executives — the people who used to price, negotiate, and defend these plans from the inside.

Choosing group benefits shouldn't mean accepting a renewal spreadsheet you don't understand and a once-a-year phone call. We bring that insider knowledge to the employer's side of the table — transforming benefits programs into something that attracts talent, stays financially sustainable, and doesn't surprise you at renewal, whether your team is in Toronto, elsewhere in Ontario, or spread across the country.

What's included

What a group benefits plan includes.

A well-designed plan is more than health and dental — it's a coordinated package your employees actually use.

Health & drugs

Extended health care, prescription drug coverage, paramedical services (physio, massage, mental health), and vision.

Dental

Preventive, basic, and major dental — often the most-used and most-appreciated part of any plan.

Disability & life

Short- and long-term disability, life insurance, and accidental death & dismemberment to protect employees and their families.

Wellness & virtual care

Employee assistance programs (EAP), telemedicine, and health spending accounts that add flexibility without ballooning cost.

Group retirement

Group RRSPs, pension, and deferred profit sharing plans (DPSP) to help your team save and round out your total rewards.

Plan administration

Modern benefits technology and clear reporting so enrolment, changes, and renewals don't eat your HR team's week.

Cost factors

What drives the cost of group benefits in Ontario.

There's no single price tag for group benefits. What you pay depends on a handful of factors that an experienced broker can model and influence:

  • →Group size and demographics — the number of employees and their ages shape your pricing and how your plan is rated.
  • →Plan design and cost-sharing — coverage levels, deductibles, caps, and how costs are split between employer and employee.
  • →Claims experience — for larger groups, your own usage history increasingly drives renewals.
  • →Industry and risk profile — some sectors carry higher disability or drug-claim risk than others.
  • →Carrier and pooling — how high-cost claims are pooled and which insurer underwrites the plan.

Because we come from an underwriting background, we know how insurers build their margins and where plans quietly lose efficiency — so we can structure coverage to control long-term cost rather than just reacting to each renewal.

Why a broker

Why work with a local group benefits broker.

An independent broker works for you — not for one insurance company.

  • We market your plan across carriers. Instead of one company's quote, we compare options across Canada's major insurers — Sun Life, Manulife, Canada Life, Desjardins, GreenShield, and Equitable Life — to find the right fit.
  • We negotiate your renewals. Our underwriting experience means we can challenge increases with data rather than accept them.
  • We're here year-round. Real people who pick up the phone for claims questions, enrolment changes, and employee support — not a ticket queue.
  • It usually costs no more than going direct. A broker's compensation is built into carrier pricing whether or not you use one, so you gain an advocate without paying extra.
FAQ

Group benefits, explained.

How much do group benefits cost in Ontario?
There's no single price — premiums depend on your group's size, employee ages, industry, the plan design you choose, and your claims history. A broker can benchmark your plan against the market and model options so you can see exactly what's driving the cost.
How many employees do I need to offer group benefits?
Many Canadian carriers will quote plans for as few as two or three employees, so group benefits aren't just for large companies. Smaller groups are typically pooled, while larger groups may be partially experience-rated.
Does using a broker cost more than going directly to an insurer?
Generally no. A broker's compensation is built into the carrier's pricing whether or not you use one, so working with an independent broker usually doesn't increase your premiums — it just gives you an advocate at renewal time.
How long does it take to set up a plan?
Once we've gathered your employee census and goals, collecting quotes and finalizing a plan often takes just a few weeks.

Get a quote for your business.

Tell us about your team and we'll show you what a smarter benefits plan could look like.

Get a free assessment