Why do consumers need SALARYGAP®? Is there an employment requirement? What is the benefit amount policyholders would be paid? How long would benefits be payable? What is Involuntary Unemployment? Is the application process difficult? Will I have to provide my social security number? Is there any other information I must have available to apply?
How does product pricing work? How is the renewal process managed? Can the Policyholder increase their Monthly Benefit amount later? Can the insured increase their Benefit Period later? What will be the policyholder experience if a claim is placed? What are the exclusions for Disability benefits?
What is SALARYGAP®?
SALARYGAP® is a bundled package of insurance benefits designed to replace a portion of the policyholders’s lost income as the result of a qualified Disability or Involuntary Unemployment including a Salary Gap (re-employment at a reduced salary)
Why do consumers need SALARYGAP®?
To prepare for the unexpected. In the event policyholders experience a qualified Disability, Involuntary Unemployment or Salary Gap, SALARYGAP® will help pay their bills, like their mortgage, rent, car loan, utilities or food! The benefit is payable to the policyholder and the policyholder can use it as needed. Did you know…?
- 65% of Working Americans could not cover normal living expenses even for one year if their employment income was lost. And 38% could not pay their bills for more than three months.1
- Less than 5% of disabling accidents and illnesses are work-related, meaning 95% are not covered by Workers Compensation.2
- Workers with more than twenty years of experience in a prior job earn 20% less in their new jobs.3
Is there an employment requirement?
Yes. Policyholders must be actively at work for at least 30 hours per week for at least 12 consecutive months.
What is the benefit amount policyholders would be paid?
Policyholders choose their Monthly Benefit amount! The maximum Total Monthly aggregate Benefit amount They can choose is 60% of Their Monthly Salary up to $2,500, whichever is less.
How long would benefits be payable?
Policyholders choose the Benefit Period that works best for Them. Choose a Benefit Period of either 6 months or 12 months to meet your individual need.
Is there a Waiting Period?
Yes, 30 days. A Waiting Period is the number of consecutive days following a qualified Disability or Involuntary Employment before benefits begin BUT after the Waiting Period, benefits are paid retroactive to the date policyholders incurred the loss.
What is a Disability?
Policyholders are unable to perform the material and substantial duties of Their occupation; and They are under the continuous care of a licensed Physician; and They are not working for wages or profit during the Disability. Any condition the Policyholder have consulted with or been treated for or diagnosed by a Physician in the last 12 months will not be covered for the first 24 months of coverage. Disability does not include hospitalization occurring during the first 90 days of coverage due to illness or as the result of pregnancy or childbirth, except complications of pregnancy. Additional exclusions apply.
What is Involuntary Unemployment?
It is total loss of Salary or wages from (1) layoff (2) termination by Their employer (3) strike or (4) lockout and requires that the Policyholder’s state unemployment agency has approved, and is paying, the Policyholder’s claim for unemployment benefits. Any claim incurred within the first 180 days of coverage, the Vesting Period, is not eligible for benefits. Additional exclusions apply.
What is a Salary Gap?
If while qualified for the Involuntary Unemployment benefit, or within 30 days after the Involuntary Unemployment benefit stops, the Policyholder finds a new job of at least 30 hours per week but the Policyholder’s new Monthly Salary is reduced at least 15% (difference between the Policyholder’s monthly salary before Involuntary Unemployment and Their new salary) the Policyholder would be eligible for the Salary Gap Benefit. The Salary Gap Benefit, plus Their new Monthly Salary, will not be greater than the Policyholder’s Monthly Salary before the Involuntary Unemployment Benefit started.
Is the application process difficult?
It’s really simple. In fact, it usually takes less than five minutes to do! We just ask for the Policyholder’s name and address and some questions regarding current employment so we can provide the Policyholder with Their rate.
Will I have to provide my social security number?
For system identification purposes only, we will ask for the last four digits of the Policyholder’s social security number.
Is there any other information I must have available to apply?
No, but after reviewing the entire application, the Policyholder’s online digital signature is required which makes it faster and easier for them to start their protection tomorrow.
What are the qualifications for protection?
There are qualification requirements including:
- You must be age 18-69 to apply;
- You must work at least 30 hours a week for at least the last 12 consecutive months;
- Involuntary Unemployment protection is not available if You
- Are self-employed, a seasonal worker or an independent contractor
- Received a verbal or written notice of impending termination of employment, general notice of company downsizing/layoffs, impending/threatened strikes/lockout or other forms of work stoppage;
- Disability insurance protection is not available if :
- within the last 12 months, You received medical advice, medical diagnosis, medication, treatment or surgery from a legally qualified licensed Physician or surgeon other than yourself or a Family Member acting within the scope of his/her license for back, neck, or spine disorders, depressive disorder, schizophrenia, AIDS, AIDS Related Complex (ARC), and HIV infections or any condition of the heart, arteries, or lungs.
- Involuntary Unemployment protection is not available if You
Are pre-existing conditions covered?
There is a 12-month pre-existing condition exclusion for Disability insurance for any condition not named in item 2 above. Which means if You have been treated by, diagnosed by or consulted with, a licensed Physician or licensed chiropractor for a medical condition in the 12 months before the Policy Effective Date, the condition is not eligible for Disability in the 24 months after your Policy Effective date.
How does product pricing work?
Prices are a percentage of the monthly benefit and are based on your geographical and occupational demographics.
How is payment collected?
EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer) is available at no extra charge to the Policyholder, so the Policyholder can save up to $60 per year. Repetitive credit card and direct bill (check) transactions are subject to a $5.00 monthly billing fee where permitted.
How is the renewal process managed?
There are no policy renewals as the policy continues until cancelled.
Can the Policyholder increase their Monthly Benefit amount later?
If the insured wishes to increase coverage, a simple supplemental application is required. A new Waiting Period, Vesting Period and pre-existing condition will apply to the increased benefit amount.
Can the insured increase their Benefit Period later?
If the insured wishes to increase their Benefit Period, a new application is required. Their Policy will be re-written and a new Waiting Period, Vesting Period and pre-existing condition will apply.
What will be the policyholder experience if a claim is placed?
First and foremost, our utmost concern is for the Policyholder’s welfare. A claim form can be downloaded and printed, or ordered through our call center. Completion of a claim form is required along with any required support material.
What are the exclusions for Disability benefits?
This policy excludes benefits for Disabilities that are:
- due to hospitalization that occurs during the first ninety (90) days after the Policy Effective Date of this policy due to illness;
- a result of pregnancy or childbirth, except Complications of Pregnancy;
- a result of an intentionally self-inflicted Injury;
- a result of participation in a riot, civil unrest, or commission of an assault, battery or felony;
- a result of any dishonest, fraudulent, or criminal act, whether the Disability results directly or indirectly from such act;
- a result of war or any act of war (declared or undeclared); or
- a result of a pre-existing medical condition which means: You have been treated by, diagnosed by or consulted with, a licensed Physician or licensed chiropractor for the medical condition in the twelve (12) months before the Policy Effective Date or the effective date of any requested change by You in coverage and such condition becomes the cause of Disability within twenty-four (24) months after the Policy Effective Date or the effective date of any increase in benefit amount.
What are the exclusions for Involuntary Unemployment?
The policy excludes benefits for Involuntary Unemployment:
- for independent contractors, meaning: a person who operates an independent business and who is not subject to the immediate direction and control of an employer;
- for self-employed, meaning: a person working for income coming directly from his or her own business, trade, profession or a partnership (a company or entity in which the individual has a ten percent (10%) or greater equity or ownership interest will be regarded as his or her own business);
- for a seasonal worker, meaning: a person whose occupation can be carried on only during certain seasons or fairly definite portions of the year and where the customary period of employment is less than one thousand (1,000) hours during the calendar year;
- occurring in the Vesting Period. During the Vesting Period, at the Policyholder’s option following the denial of a claim, this policy can be cancelled for a full refund of premium;
- due to a voluntary forfeiture of salary, wages or employment income;
- due to a voluntary resignation or retirement;
- due to Disability caused by accident, Sickness, disease, pregnancy or childbirth;
- due to termination as a result of cause or willful misconduct (a transgression of some established and definite rule of action, a forbidden act or omission, or an act or omission involving dishonesty, or a dereliction of duty, active or passive, which is willful in character and beyond simple negligence), excessive absenteeism or tardiness, or criminal misconduct (unlawful behavior as determined by Local, State or Federal law);
- resulting directly or indirectly from any dishonest, fraudulent or criminal act;
- due to a circumstance known by the Insured prior to the effective date of protection;
- or due to war or any act of war (declared or undeclared).
What is the Benefit Period?
The Benefit Period is the longest period of time for which We will pay a Monthly Benefit for continuous Disability, Involuntary Unemployment, or Salary Gap from the same cause while the policy is in force.
What is the Vesting Period?
The number of days following the Policy Effective Date, or the effective date of any increase in benefit amount, wherein any claim that is incurred is not eligible for benefits. This applies to Involuntary Unemployment coverage only.
What is the Waiting Period?
The Waiting Period is the number of consecutive days following a qualifying event before benefits begin. After the Waiting Period, benefits are retroactive to the incurred date of the qualifying event. Disability and Involuntary Unemployment Policy Underwritten by United States Fire Insurance Company 5 Christopher Way, 3rd Floor, Eatontown, NJ 07724 under form number SAG-35000P-SA 216. Terms and conditions may vary by state. Not available in all states. Please consult your policy for specific coverages and limitations. Ask your representative about costs and complete details.
1 U.S. Social Security Administration, Fact Sheet February 7, 2015. Retrieved September 30, 2105 from www.ssa.gov/disabilityfacts/facts.html.
2 Council for Disability Awareness, Long-Term Disability Claims Review, 2012. Retrieved September 30, 2015 (page last updated July 3, 2013) from www.disabilitycanhappen.org/chances_disability/disability_stats.asp.
3 “Fact Sheet: Improving Economic Security by Strengthening and Modernizing the Unemployment Insurance System” January 16, 2016, The White House, Office of the Press Secretary, www.whitehouse.gov.
