Customized Insurance Solutions

SINCE 1962
We believe that living your best life includes protecting who and what matters to you. We help make that possible.

Our Story

Family-Owned Since Day One

For nearly 60 years, we have helped our clients take the guesswork out of insurance by making the process as simple, efficient and painless as possible. Founded in 1962 by Sam Seligman, Seligman Insurance was established to meet the needs of growing families, professionals and businesses in the GTA. In 1982 Sam’s son, Peter Seligman, joined the company, followed in 2014 by Peter’s son-in-law, Jeff Bernstein.

We know how many priorities you are juggling in everyday life as we too are parents, grandparents, children and entrepreneurs. That’s why our business is personal; we take the time to get to know you. When you work with us, you will feel secure knowing that you have the best plan in place to protect you, your family and your business today, tomorrow and for generations to come.

Meet the Team

Hi! It’s nice to meet you. The Seligman team is made up of four core team members, as well as a large network of specialists who will work with you to build your customized insurance solution.

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JEFF BERNSTEIN

Managing Partner

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PETER SELIGMAN

Founding Partner

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FRAN PERKINS

Executive Marketing Associate

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DEBORAH YLANKO

Office Manager

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MEET THE TEAM

Customized Insurance Solutions

Invest in yourself and your ability to keep doing what you love.

Protect your partner and children from life’s unexpected events, and help to secure their future.

Protect your hard work and the people who help make it possible.

Protect yourself and your patients or clients from the unforeseen.

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How it Works

Discover

We’ll get to know each other and look at how well you, your family, your business or practice are currently protected and where there might be opportunities and risks.

Learn

Let us do what we do best by sharing with you the types of solutions available to address your unique needs.

Build

Together we’ll build your customized insurance solution, taking it from concept to approval to implementation.

Serve

Service is our business and we’ll continue to be here for you to monitor and measure your progress, and to adjust for any life changes.

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The Seligman Difference

We’ve been doing this for a really long time.

For three generations and nearly 60 years, we’ve been committed exclusively to providing custom insurance solutions for our clients. Helping people protect what they care about most and building their legacies is our life’s work.

We go to bat for you like few others will.

No issue is too complex for us to explore. We pre-underwrite all complicated situations to help place your case as favourably and quickly as possible. This results in fewer declines and more satisfied clients – every time.

Our stack is unparalleled.

We invest in process and technology to bridge the worlds of yesterday and tomorrow. From digital applications to video reviews to underwriting updates via text messaging, we make the insurance buying process a little more convenient and enjoyable (let’s be honest: no one enjoys buying insurance). Robust contact management software means we never miss an important date or opportunity for you to take advantage of.

We only work with the best to bring you the best.

We recommend best-in-class solutions from both niche providers and blue-chip, industry leaders. We source the best products and work with top service leaders to design the best insurance solutions for your needs.

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Insurance FAQs

What is the difference between term and permanent insurance?

Term insurance provides coverage at a guaranteed rate for a specific period, such as 10 or 20 years. If you want to maintain the coverage for longer, you can always convert the policy to permanent insurance or renew once the initial term is up. Permanent insurance is designed to provide lifelong financial protection as long as deposits are paid. Policies can be ‘paid up’ as soon as in 8 years and, in some cases, you can accumulate tax-advantaged investments or cash values that may increase the amount you leave behind to your beneficiary.

If my employer provides health benefits, why would I need more?

(First, lucky you for still having this valuable employee benefit!) Most provincial plans and employee benefits programs provide coverage for only a certain range of services. A supplemental health insurance policy will allow more coverage and accessibility to services.

If my employer provides life insurance, why would I need more?

If your employer offers life insurance, it is likely inadequate to replace your true needs (in fact, an authoritative industry survey determined that where the primary wage earner is covered by group insurance only, the average amount of coverage will replace income for only two years) and you might lose it once you stop working there.

How often should I review my insurance portfolio?

Whenever you experience any significant life change. Think: marriage, new addition to the family, new job, new business, purchase of property or taking on significant debt, etc. (And hopefully more often if you like your insurance professional!)

If my employer provides disability insurance, why would I need more?

While employer-provided (group) long-term disability coverage is a good start, your policy may not replace enough of your income–and for a long-enough period of time–to ensure continuity of lifestyle during a serious illness or injury that prevents you from working. This type of coverage is potentially the most important part of your financial security plan if your job is your family’s primary source of income or if you run your own business (#GigEconomyFTW).

At what age should I get life insurance?

Most insurance professionals would say, ‘Any age!’ or ‘As soon as possible!’. But the truth is that it always depends on your individual circumstances. While it’s always better to secure your coverage sooner–as your age and health is more guaranteed–as soon as others depend on you financially you probably should have life insurance.

Why do I need life insurance for my child?

This is less of a ‘need’ and can instead be a really smart financial planning tool. Most importantly, you guarantee your child’s insurability later in life. But if you are taking advantage of registered savings programs, like the RESP, and are still looking for smart ways to save money for your children, a permanent life insurance policy is an incredibly flexible tool for creating tax-sheltered savings–which may be accessed on a tax-free basis later. (Whether for their education, start-up funds for a new business venture, or the down payment on a home, to name a few examples). Protip: a permanent, cash-value life insurance policy makes a great gift from the grandparents!

Can I change my insurance policy after I purchase it?

Yes, of course! While an insurance company can never make a unilateral change to a guaranteed renewable and convertible policy, you may do so at any time. Plan exchanges and decreasing coverage changes are usually allowed at any time; in more drastic situations, of course, replacements and cancellations are also completely acceptable. Certain changes, like coverage increases, will usually require new underwriting (sometimes both medical and financial). But each situation and policy is unique and, if structured correctly from the start, will usually encompass all the flexibility you’ll need for future changes to be made.

What is the difference between critical illness insurance and disability insurance, and why would I ever consider owning both?

Critical illness insurance provides a one-time payment if you’re diagnosed with a covered medical condition. Disability insurance provides regular (monthly) payments to help replace your income if a disability prevents you from working. While the former is tied to a specific diagnosis, the latter is tied to working ability. There are situations where both benefits might be accessed and others when only one benefit would be applicable. What is right for you will depend on your specific circumstances. Drop us a line and we’d be happy to examine your situation.
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