Assurity's COVID-19 Response

We hope you and your family are healthy and holding up well through the uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus (COVID-19). While COVID-19 is causing disruption in our communities, we’re committed to making sure you have the protection and support you need.

The information found here provides guidance relative to the COVID-19 situation as it currently exists. Updates will be made as conditions warrant.

Assurity has a team of subject matter experts monitoring and responding to the coronavirus situation as it develops. Assurity remains committed to providing superior service to our customers and is committed to preventing any interruption in our business processes.

Assurity has the vast majority of our associates now working from home, with social distancing practiced for our associates needed on site. All associate business-related travel is prohibited, in favor of technology-enabled meetings. We appreciate your understanding and patience as our associates acclimate to completely remote work.

For questions regarding your insurance policy or to file a claim, we encourage you to access your account from home 24/7 using our online portal, MyAssurity.com, or give us a call for policy information, payment/billing information, claims and more at 800-869-0355.

For Policyowners

Q: Will Assurity be extending the normal premium payment grace period?

We know many of our policyowners face challenges due to COVID-19. Assurity is working to revise practices to the extent possible to help policyowners keep policies from cancelling for nonpayment of premium.

Currently, Assurity has extended the normal premium grace period for all policies by an additional 60 days. As more state guidance and mandates are issued, those will be implemented. We want to work with policyowners where possible to keep coverage in place, so please reach out to us regarding your specific circumstance at 800-869-0355.

Q: What if I am unable to pay my past due premiums in one lump sum once the premium grace period expires?

Policyowners suffering financial hardship due to COVID-19 may contact Assurity prior to expiration of the premium grace period to reach agreement on a repayment plan for past due premiums to avoid policy cancellation/lapsation. We want to work with policyowners where possible to keep coverage in place, so please reach out to us regarding your specific circumstance at 800-869-0355.

Q: My Assurity coverage was purchased through my employer with premiums paid through payroll deduction. If I am terminated or furloughed, what are my options to continue coverage?

If employment has not been terminated, employees subject to furlough (temporary layoff) should first ask their employer what arrangements have been made with Assurity for continued coverage and premium payments. Direct premium payments by employees may be made by contacting Assurity at 800-869-0355, ext. 8950.

Based on the terms of the policy, terminated employees may be able to continue coverage or exercise portability. Restrictions on portability are currently being waived. Please refer to your policy for provisions and requirements. Employees may also contact Assurity directly at 800-869-0355, ext. 4210 to discuss options.

Q: Does my Assurity policy provide benefits for COVID-19?

Assurity sells many types of life and supplemental health insurance. Coverage and benefit determinations are always based on the specific policy provisions and require submission of a claim, at which point the specifics of the policy are reviewed. Assurity encourages policyowners questioning whether COVID-19 related benefits are available to either access claim forms by visiting Assurity.com or MyAssurity.com, or call us at 800-869-0355 for assistance.

Generally speaking, the following is applicable to COVID-19 related coverage for the following types of insurance:

Disability Income Insurance

A COVID-19 diagnosis is treated as any other sickness. If the definition of disability and the elimination period are satisfied, and all other policy provisions are met, COVID-19 related disability claims would generally be eligible for benefits. Simply being quarantined due to COVID-19 circumstances or exposure, without diagnosis and sickness, does not meet the definition of disability.

Critical Illness Insurance

COVID-19 is not a covered condition under our Critical Illness products.

Accident Expense Insurance

Accident Expense insurance does not provide benefits for the diagnosis or treatment of COVID-19.

Hospital Indemnity Insurance

Admission/confinement resulting from positive diagnosis of COVID-19 would generally be eligible for benefits provided all other provisions of the policy are met.

Cancer Expense

COVID-19 is not a covered condition under our Cancer Expense products.

Wellness Benefits and Riders

COVID-19 testing is generally not a covered test under our Wellness Benefit; however, most major medical plans and many government programs provide free COVID-19 testing.

Outpatient Sickness Care and Telemedicine Benefits and Riders

Some worksite hospital indemnity and accident expense plans may include benefits for outpatient sickness or telemedicine benefits, which would include COVID-19 related visits, provided all other provisions of the policy are met. Policy specifics will dictate any coverage.

Life Insurance

A death claim following a COVID-19 diagnosis would likely be payable assuming all other provisions of the policy are met.

Accidental Death or Accidental Death & Dismemberment

A COVID-19 diagnosis or death resulting from COVID-19 is not a covered condition under our Accidental Death or Accidental Death & Dismemberment coverages.

For Employers

Employers across the country are facing unprecedented challenges, and Assurity is here to help navigate these difficult times. Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions regarding Assurity voluntary benefits amid this crisis.

Q: Who at Assurity is best able to answer my questions in regard to billing and payment options?

Your dedicated case manager handling normal billing and administrative issues stands ready to help you navigate COVID-19 implications for your voluntary coverage, discuss options and implement any changes.

Q: Will the normal premium grace period be extended?

With understanding of the many challenges employers face right now, Assurity is working to revise practices to the extent possible to makes things easier on our employer clients and keep policies from cancelling for nonpayment of premium.

Currently, Assurity has extended the normal premium grace period for all policies by an additional 60 days. As more state guidance and mandates are issued, those will be implemented.

We want to work with our employer clients where possible to keep coverage in place for employees, so please reach out to your case manager to discuss options.

Q: Do employees subject to furlough (temporary layoff) whose employment has not been terminated remain eligible under their Assurity coverage while furloughed?

Yes, with continued premium payments, employees with existing coverage for whom employment has not been terminated remain eligible for coverage under the employer’s group policy, regardless of whether actively at work or the number of hours worked.

Employees not actively at work or not meeting all other normal eligibility requirements may not add new coverage.

Q: Can employees subject to furlough (temporary layoff) whose employment has not been terminated be kept on the employer billing?

Yes, furloughed employees who remain employed may be kept on the billing.

Q: How can premiums be paid for employees subject to furlough (temporary layoff) who remain employed?

If the employer is remitting premium payment for Assurity’s coverage for furloughed employees, normal processes apply and a simple indication on the billing of those furloughed is all that is necessary. If you haven’t signed up for online billing, please contact your dedicated billing administrator to sign up.

If the employee will be responsible for remitting payment for Assurity coverage while furloughed, the employee should contact Assurity directly at 800-869-0355, ext. 8950 to make periodic one-time payments as premiums are due.

Automatic EFT payments may only be set up for furloughed employees who remain employed if they are removed from the employer billing.

Q: What options do terminated employees have to continue coverage?

Based on the terms of their particular coverage, terminated employees may be able to continue coverage or exercise portability. Restrictions on portability are currently being waived. Please refer to your policy for provisions and requirements. Employees may also contact Assurity directly at 800-869-0355, ext. 4210 to discuss options.

Q: Can employees who have not been terminated but are subject to furlough (temporary layoff) drop voluntary coverage while furloughed or laid off and reinstate once they return to work?

Most worksite supplemental health policies provide for reinstatement with a gap in coverage. Worksite life insurance policies provide for reinstatement, but require all past due premiums to be paid as there is no gap in coverage. Requests for reinstatement will be administered in accordance with the policy’s reinstatement provision and requirements. See policy for details.

Q: Will time served under pre-existing condition periods or waiting periods be credited to covered employees subject to furlough or temporary layoff who drop coverage and later reinstate once they return to work?

The terms of reinstatement are governed by the specific policy. Generally speaking, time-served for pre-existing conditions and waiting periods will be credited upon reinstatement for hospital indemnity, critical illness, and cancer expense coverage. Reinstatement of disability income generally results in a new pre-existing condition and contestable period.

Q: What if an employer wishes to terminate voluntary coverage entirely?

Under Assurity’s group plans, the employer is the policyholder and may terminate coverage at any time. Such action, of course, has ramifications for employee certificate holders. Depending on the type of coverage, portability or continuation options may be available. Certificate holders of terminated coverage are advised of any options for continuation.

Some of Assurity’s older worksite plans are on an individual platform, where all contract rights are with the employee. In those instances, termination of the employer deductions and billing will result in communication with the employee policyholders of their options to make premium payments and continue coverage.

Q: Do Assurity policies provide benefits for COVID-19?

Generally speaking, the following is applicable to COVID-19 related coverage for the following types of insurance:

Disability Income Insurance

A COVID-19 diagnosis is treated as any other sickness. If the definition of disability and the elimination period are satisfied, and all other policy provisions are met, COVID-19 related claims would generally be eligible for benefits. Simply being quarantined due to COVID-19 circumstances or exposure, without diagnosis and sickness, does not meet the definition of disability.

Critical Illness Insurance

COVID-19 is not a covered condition under our Critical Illness products.

Accident Expense Insurance

Accident Expense insurance does not provide benefits for the diagnosis or treatment of COVID-19.

Hospital Indemnity Insurance

Admission/confinement resulting from positive diagnosis of COVID-19 would generally be eligible benefits provided all other provisions of the policy are met.

Cancer Expense Insurance

COVID-19 is not a covered condition under our Cancer Expense products.

Wellness Benefits and Riders

COVID-19 testing is generally not a covered test under our Wellness Benefit; however, most major medical plans and many government programs provide free COVID-19 testing.

Outpatient Sickness Care and Telemedicine Benefits and Riders

Life Insurance

A death claim following a COVID-19 diagnosis would likely be payable assuming all other provisions of the policy are met.

Accidental Death or Accidental Death & Dismemberment

A COVID-19 diagnosis or death resulting from COVID-19 is not a covered condition under our Accidental Death or Accidental Death & Dismemberment coverages.