DISABILITY INSURANCE Inflation and more driving increased interest in voluntary products The emergency room lines were long and hospital beds were full. When patients survived their hospitalizations, many were disabled for days, weeks, or sometimes months. When the COVID 19 pandemic struck, disability insurance was particularly valuable for those who had the forethought to purchase it, but the real growth of interest in voluntary disability insurance started only after the
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LIFE AND LONG-TERM CARE CONVERSATIONS Ten crucial questions you should be asking—even if carriers don’t want you to [An] appeal of hybrid life and long-term care products can often come from the fact that they are not “use it or lose it” propositions. By Adam Bezman The growing need for long-term care is a topic that’s been covered a lot in recent months. Rising costs of care, demographic changes and
Hospital indemnity maintains its momentum Carriers seek to strengthen communication with buyers By Thomas A. McCoy, CLU The outlook for hospital indemnity insurance in the workplace continues to be favorable after a strong post-pandemic performance in 2022. Voluntary hospital indemnity sales grew 13% last year, roughly in tandem with the growth in critical illness and accident, according to Eastbridge Consulting Group. Eastbridge’s 2021 Voluntary Employment Trends Report projects that by
LIFE INSURANCE Voluntary supplemental life takes on new social value after pandemic By Len Strazewski For decades, life insurance benefits were last in line during open enrollment. Stuck at a basic level of one- or two-times salary, employer-paid life insurance was a necessary benefit, but not as important as health insurance or retirement plans. Voluntary life insurance was not a particularly great seller, except for younger workers who needed additional
DENTAL AND VISION The products have evolved, covering more complicated and expensive procedures By Len Strazewski Drill and fill those angry cavities. Fit a new pair of eyeglasses. Get free dental and eye exams once a year. A generation ago, dental and vision insurance paid for those benefits and not much more. And agents and brokers sold them as supplements to major medical policies that provided the healthcare that really
