Manage Ameritas

How to cancel ameritas and protect your coverage rights in canada

Understanding ameritas and your coverage options

Ameritas is a U.S.-based insurance company specializing in dental and vision coverage. Your situation is unique if you are a Canadian resident holding an Ameritas plan: the company operates primarily in the United States, and public records show no retail presence for Ameritas dental or vision products sold directly to Canadian consumers. This means your cancellation process, refund eligibility, and consumer protections may differ significantly from those available to U.S. customers.

If you purchased an Ameritas plan through a U.S. employer, a cross-border arrangement, or another indirect channel, Stopee recommends you gather your policy documents first. You will need your policy number, the effective date, and any correspondence confirming how and where the plan was sold to you. This context shapes your next steps.

Why canadians may hold ameritas coverage

You might have an Ameritas plan if you work for a U.S.-based employer with cross-border benefits, if you purchased coverage while living or working in the United States, or if your group employer negotiated a U.S. plan that extends to Canadian employees. Each scenario carries different cancellation rules and refund eligibility. Stopee recommends confirming your policy's jurisdiction and terms before initiating cancellation.

Pricing and plan types

Ameritas offers dental, vision, and group coverage options. Because Ameritas does not retail plans directly in Canada, specific Canadian pricing in CAD is not publicly available. Costs vary widely depending on whether you hold an individual plan purchased in the U.S., a group plan through an employer, or a spousal or family arrangement.

Your consumer rights as a canadian cancelling ameritas

Your rights depend on whether you purchased the plan inside or outside Canada and whether Ameritas operates under Canadian regulatory oversight in your province.

Regulatory jurisdiction and protections

Ameritas is regulated by U.S. insurance authorities, not by provincial insurance regulators in Canada (such as the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario or Autorité des marchés financiers in Quebec). This gap means Canadian consumer protections-including cooling-off periods mandated by provincial insurance acts-may not apply directly to an Ameritas product purchased in the United States.

However, if you are a Canadian resident and believe Ameritas has acted unfairly, you have options. Contact your provincial insurance regulator for guidance on cross-border disputes. Stopee also recommends consulting a consumer advocate or lawyer specializing in cross-border insurance matters to understand your remedies. Keep copies of all correspondence, policy documents, and cancellation requests to build your case.

The 30-day free-look period

Ameritas offers a 30-day "free-look" or "free examination" period from your policy's effective date. During this window, you can cancel and receive a full refund without penalty, provided you have not filed any claims. This is your strongest cancellation right: if you act within 30 days and no claims exist, Ameritas must refund your premiums in full.

Pro tip: Mark your policy's effective date on your calendar immediately. Do not wait until day 29 to cancel; submit your cancellation request by day 25 to ensure Ameritas processes it within the free-look window. Send your request via certified mail or email so you have proof of submission.

How to cancel your ameritas coverage

Stopee outlines three documented cancellation methods: phone, email, and postal mail. Choose the method that gives you the clearest audit trail and fastest confirmation.

Cancelling ameritas by phone

Calling Ameritas customer service is the fastest way to initiate cancellation if you reach the right department.

1. Call Ameritas at 1-800-300-9566 (U.S./cross-border line)
   • Confirm this number works from Canada before calling; long-distance charges may apply
   • Have your policy number, full name, and date of birth ready
2. Select option 3 for dental/vision or the appropriate line for your plan type
3. Select option 4 to reach the cancellation or customer service team
4. Provide your policy details and clearly state: "I wish to cancel my Ameritas coverage effective immediately" or on a specific date
5. Ask the representative for:
   • A confirmation number or reference code
   • The cancellation effective date in writing
   • Confirmation of whether you qualify for a refund
   • An email confirmation sent to your address on file
6. Write down the representative's name, date, time, and reference number immediately after the call

Warning: Ameritas phone support has limited hours: Monday through Thursday, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Central Time, and Friday until 5:30 p.m. Central Time. These are U.S. Central Time zones, not Canadian time. Call early in your morning to ensure you reach someone during their business hours.

Cancelling ameritas by email

Email provides a written record of your cancellation request, which is valuable if you need to escalate later.

1. Compose a clear cancellation email to cs@ameritas.com
   • Subject line: "Cancellation Request for Policy [Your Policy Number]"
2. Include in the email body:
   • Your full legal name as it appears on the policy
   • Your date of birth
   • Your complete policy number
   • The desired cancellation effective date (or "effective immediately")
   • A brief statement: "I hereby request cancellation of my coverage"
   • Your contact phone number and email address for confirmation
3. Send the email from the email address associated with your policy account if possible
4. Save a copy of your sent email and any receipt confirmation from your email provider
5. Wait for an email reply with a ticket number or reference code within 3 to 5 business days
6. If you do not receive a reply within one week, follow up by phone or send a second email with "URGENT: Follow-up Cancellation Request"

Pro tip: Use Stopee's cancellation checklist (see below) to ensure your email contains every required detail. Ameritas cannot deny cancellation because your email lacked information, but it can delay processing if your request is incomplete.

Cancelling ameritas by certified mail

Postal mail is the most formal method and creates an indisputable record of your cancellation request's delivery date.

1. Prepare a typed or handwritten cancellation letter including:
   • Your full legal name, date of birth, and current address
   • Your policy number and the plan type (dental, vision, or group)
   • The date of the letter
   • A clear statement: "I hereby request cancellation of my Ameritas coverage, effective [date] or effective immediately upon receipt"
   • Your signature in blue or black ink
2. Keep a photocopy or scan of the signed letter for your records
3. Mail the letter via certified mail with return receipt (in Canada, this is called "Registered Mail" with confirmation of delivery)
   • Do not use regular mail; you need proof that Ameritas received your request
   • Purchase the return receipt option so you receive confirmation when the letter arrives
4. Mail to:
   • Ameritas Dental and Vision (Group) Division
   • Ameritas Life Insurance Corp.
   • P.O. Box 81889
   • Lincoln, Nebraska 68501-1889, USA
5. Allow 7 to 10 business days for mail transit from Canada to the United States
6. Keep the return receipt card when it arrives; this proves delivery
7. Follow up by phone or email one week after your return receipt is signed to confirm receipt and processing

Warning: U.S. postal mail from Canada can take 2 to 3 weeks. If your cancellation is time-sensitive (for example, you are within the free-look period), combine certified mail with a same-day email or phone call to accelerate the process.

Refunds and what to expect after cancellation

Your refund eligibility depends on when you cancel and whether you have filed claims.

Free-look refund guarantee

If you cancel within 30 days of your policy's effective date and you have not filed any claims, Ameritas must refund 100 percent of your premiums. This is your strongest protection. Request this refund explicitly in your cancellation request: "I am cancelling within the 30-day free-look period and request a full refund of all premiums paid."

Refunds after the free-look period

Public Ameritas policy materials do not clearly disclose whether you receive pro-rata refunds (a partial refund for unused months) or no refund after the free-look period ends. This ambiguity is a red flag. When you cancel, always ask Ameritas in writing: "Am I entitled to a refund? If so, what is the refund amount, calculation method, and timeline for payment?"

Stopee recommends requesting a written copy of Ameritas's refund policy at the time of cancellation. If Ameritas refuses to provide one or claims no refund is due, escalate to your provincial insurance regulator and request their guidance on cross-border insurance refund standards.

Timeline for receiving your refund

If a refund is approved, Ameritas typically processes it within 30 to 45 days of cancellation confirmation. The funds may take an additional 5 to 10 business days to appear in your bank account if the refund is issued by cheque or electronic transfer. Do not assume your cancellation is final until the refund has posted to your account or you have received a cheque.

Pro tip: After receiving your refund, verify the amount matches what Ameritas quoted. If the refund is less than expected, contact Ameritas immediately and request a detailed breakdown of any deductions or fees applied to your refund.

What happens to your coverage after cancellation

Understanding the post-cancellation landscape helps you plan your health coverage transition.

Coverage end date and network access

Once Ameritas processes your cancellation, your coverage ends on the effective termination date Ameritas records. You will lose access to Ameritas's network providers, online claim submission portals, and any discounts negotiated through the plan. If you have pending claims or outstanding reimbursement requests, contact Ameritas before cancelling to ensure they process these claims under your active coverage. Claims submitted after your cancellation date may be rejected.

Warning: Do not cancel your Ameritas coverage until you have secured alternative dental or vision coverage if you anticipate upcoming care. There may be waiting periods with a new provider.

Stopping automatic renewals

If your Ameritas plan has auto-renewal enabled, cancellation should stop future renewals. However, Stopee recommends confirming this in writing with Ameritas. Request a statement confirming: "No further renewals or premiums will be charged following the cancellation effective date of [date]." If Ameritas charges you after cancellation, report this immediately and dispute the charge with your bank if necessary.

Requesting your policy record

Ask Ameritas to send you a written confirmation of your cancellation and a copy of your complete policy file for your records. This documentation is valuable if you need to prove coverage history to a new provider, a tax authority, or if a dispute arises later.

Common cancellation mistakes to avoid

Cancelling an insurance policy feels straightforward, but small oversights can delay your refund or leave you without proof of cancellation.

Failing to document your cancellation request

The most costly mistake is cancelling by phone without recording the representative's name, date, and reference number. If Ameritas later claims it never received your cancellation request, you have no proof. Always follow phone calls with a confirming email: "This confirms I spoke with [representative name] on [date] at [time] and requested cancellation effective [date]. Reference number: [number]. Please confirm receipt of this email."

Cancelling outside the free-look period without knowing your refund status

If you cancel after 30 days, Ameritas may not refund any premiums. Before you cancel, contact Ameritas and explicitly ask whether you qualify for a refund on the specific cancellation date you have in mind. Do not assume; get a written response.

Not providing complete policy details

Ameritas cannot process cancellation if your request lacks your full name, date of birth, and policy number. Include these details in every communication-phone, email, or mail.

Cancelling without securing alternative coverage first

If you have active dental or vision needs, cancelling Ameritas and then searching for new coverage leaves you exposed. New plans often have waiting periods. Coordinate your cancellation with your new provider's start date.

Ignoring the free-look window

If you are within the first 30 days and realize Ameritas is not right for you, cancel immediately. Every day you delay reduces your refund-eligible window. Stopee cannot stress this enough: the free-look period is your financial safety net.

Documentation checklist for ameritas cancellation

Use this checklist to ensure you have everything you need before and after cancellation.

Before you cancel, gather:

• Your policy number
• Your full legal name as it appears on the policy
• Your date of birth
• Your policy's effective date
• Current address and phone number on file
• Any correspondence confirming how the plan was sold to you (employer email, broker letter, enrollment confirmation)
• Details of any claims you have filed or pending (to avoid cancelling mid-claim)

After you cancel, keep:

• A copy of your cancellation request (email, letter, or call notes)
• Ameritas's confirmation number or reference code
• Confirmation of your cancellation effective date
• Written confirmation of whether you qualify for a refund and the refund amount
• If mailed: the return receipt card proving delivery
• Email confirmations or written acknowledgements from Ameritas
• Bank statements or cheque images showing your refund was received
• Any correspondence regarding claims processing after cancellation

Customer experiences and common complaints

Understanding what other Ameritas customers report helps you set realistic expectations.

Recurring complaint themes

Public reviews of Ameritas frequently highlight concerns about claim processing delays, low reimbursement rates relative to provider charges, difficulty accessing online portals, and slow customer service responses. Some customers report that Ameritas misses or loses cancellation requests submitted by email or mail, requiring follow-up calls.

Specific complaints also include coverage denials without clear explanation, difficulty reaching customer service during stated hours, and refusals to refund premiums after the free-look period-even when the policy was never used. These patterns suggest that Ameritas, as a U.S. company, may not prioritize cross-border or Canadian customer requests.

Why canadian customer feedback is limited

Few verified Canadian consumer reviews of Ameritas exist because the company does not retail plans directly to Canadian residents. Most reviews are from U.S. customers. If you are a Canadian with an Ameritas plan, your experience may differ, but the complaints reported-especially around customer service and claims handling-are worth anticipating.

Contact information and next steps

If you need to reach Ameritas or escalate your cancellation concern, use the information below.

Ameritas customer service contact details

Phone: 1-800-300-9566 (U.S. number; long-distance charges apply from Canada)
Hours: Monday to Thursday, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Central Time; Friday until 5:30 p.m. Central Time
Email: cs@ameritas.com
Mailing address for Dental and Vision (Group) Division:
Ameritas Life Insurance Corp.
P.O. Box 81889
Lincoln, Nebraska 68501-1889
USA

If ameritas denies your cancellation or refund

If Ameritas refuses to cancel your coverage or denies a refund you believe you are entitled to, escalate the complaint to your provincial insurance regulator. In Ontario, contact the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA). In British Columbia, contact the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) regulatory division. Each province has its own regulator.

Stopee recommends providing your regulator with copies of all correspondence, policy documents, your cancellation request, and Ameritas's response. Regulators can pressure Ameritas to reconsider and may impose penalties if the company is acting unfairly toward Canadian consumers.

Protecting yourself and taking control of your coverage

Cancelling Ameritas as a Canadian consumer requires patience and documentation because the company is U.S.-based and may not be familiar with Canadian consumer expectations. However, you have clear cancellation rights, especially within the free-look period.

Pro tip: Start your cancellation process at least 45 days before your desired end date to account for mail delays, processing time, and follow-up. Do not wait until the last minute.

Act now if you are within the 30-day free-look window. Submit your cancellation request today via phone or email, followed by certified mail. Document every step. Request your refund in writing. Follow up weekly until Ameritas confirms cancellation and processes your refund.

Stopee has helped thousands of consumers cancel unwanted coverage and recover refunds by following these exact steps. You are not powerless against a large insurance company-you have rights, documentation, and regulatory backup. Use them. Cancel on your terms, keep your records, and reclaim your money.