NASW Assurance Services - Personal Protection Overview

Why did NASW Assurance Services move to the new group insurance companies?
What are these new improvements to my insurance coverage?
What other new and enhanced benefits will be available to me within the next year?
What new insurance products are currently being researched?
If I'm not currently enrolled in either of the term-life, long term disability or accident coverage, can I apply for enrollment at any time?
Why do you say my Billing System is "Better-Than-Ever"?
What if I prefer to Go Green?
When did my new, enhanced benefits begin?
Can you tell me more about the new group insurance companies selected?
Whom do I contact when I have questions?

Why did NASW Assurance Services move to the new group insurance companies?

To better serve our members, NASW Assurance Services, Inc. recently selected a new group insurance administrator, Association Group Insurance Administrators, and a new group insurance company, The Hartford¹.

One of the greatest benefits of our transition is our ability to now improve your group insurance benefits without raising your premiums.

What are these new improvements to my insurance coverage?

A Felonious Assault Benefit has been added to our members' term life and accidental death and dismemberment programs. At times, you're inadvertently put in harms way as a social worker. If you're a victim of an assault and are seriously injured or die, this new benefit provides you with an additional payment of up to $5,000;
A 10% Guaranteed Acceptance Inflation Guard Benefit for you, available every year for 10 years with our term life insurance program. Now, our term life insurance participants have the opportunity to increase your current benefit amounts by another 10% each and every year for the next 10 years guaranteed with no medical questions or exam provided you take advantage of the offer at the time it's made. (Coming soon!)
A Guaranteed Minimum Disability Benefit for Specified Injuries for our long-term disability insurance participants that specifies a minimum amount of time you must be paid for these covered injuries. This gives you the comfort of a guaranteed starting point - no hassle, no arguments;
Increased Term Life Maximum Coverage for your spouse/domestic partner from $220,000 to $407,000; and
Best of all --- these extra benefits are now provided at no additional cost to you!

What other new and enhanced benefits will be available to me within the next year?

We're currently working with The Hartford to offer you, your spouse/domestic partner and your family even greater enhancements in NASW's sponsored term life benefits in the near future.

Enhanced Term Life Coverage for Your Spouse / Domestic Partner:

Your spouse / domestic partner will now be able to keep his / her term life benefits even if you were to die or discontinue your protection;
Your spouse / domestic partner will be able to get NASW sponsored term life protection even if you have chosen not to take any yourself;
Your spouse / domestic partner coverage will no longer automatically include coverage for children saving money for those without children or with ineligible children over age 25; and
We will be improving your children's term life benefits, as well.

What new insurance products are currently being researched?

We're currently piloting a Health Choices program that gives you access to licensed health insurance consultants who can help you locate individual major medical coverage, dental and vision insurance. Although this product has not yet been introduced universally, you can now receive a personalized consultation by simply calling 866-206-8509.
We're also working to bring you a low-cost, high value auto and homeowner's insurance as well as a guaranteed acceptance limited medical program in the near future.
These new products being researched are not provided by, arranged by or underwritten by Hartford Life and Accident Insurance Company.

If I'm not currently enrolled in either of the term-life, long term disability or accident coverage, can I apply for enrollment at any time?

Absolutely, simply visit us at www.naswassurance.org for an application for any of our insurance products. If you have any questions about any of the group insurance plans offered to you, simply call 800.355.3869.

Why do you say my Billing System is "Better-Than-Ever?"

You can now receive a separate bill for each of your insurance products so that:

You can schedule each of your payments to be either monthly, quarterly, semi-annually or annually as you wish;
You can have one of your insurances paid out of a business account and another from your personal account;
You can pay one quarterly and another, monthly, semi-annually or annually; and
You can have one paid automatically out of your checking account and, with another, have a bill sent to you.

If you're already insured, you've been accustomed to receiving one, unified billing statement that includes all your group insurance products. And, if you prefer, you can still receive a single billing statement. Simply call your Customer Care Center at 866.591.8267.

What if I prefer to Go Green?

Now you can go completely green by choosing paperless billing and payment options. Your new billing system now provides you both Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) and automated credit card payment options. By choosing either of the electronic payment options, you will not receive any bills in the mail at all, and our environment will benefit. Even better, so will you. You'll save yourself time and money. No more writing checks, licking stamps or mailing bills.

When did my new, enhanced benefits begin?

Association Group Insurance Administrators became our new group insurance administrator on September 2, 2008 and The Hartford became our new group insurance company on October 1, 2008. We mailed a transition announcement to all group insurance participants on August 15, 2008. The September billing statement reflected the change to the new companies and you should expect to receive your next flexible billing invoice(s) in December.
Group Participant Transition Announcement (August 15, 2008)

Can you tell me more about the new group insurance companies selected?

The Hartford¹ is a leading provider of life insurance and group benefits known for its financial strength and stability, and recently recognized as one of the world's most ethical companies by The Ethisphere Institute. In business nearly 200 years, The Hartford supports programs that reflect values typically supported by social workers, for example, investing in communities that help those with disabilities and focusing on products for seniors as they age.

Association Group Insurance Administrators is a premier third party administrator specializing in serving association members for 50 years. They offer you multiple flexible billing options, licensed insurance representatives to assist you, and a convenient, single point of contact for all your group insurance questions and needs.

Whom do I contact when I have questions?

For group insurance questions, simply call (866) 591-8267 for billing, insurance quotes, requests for changes to existing coverage, requests for applications or additional information. Or write to: Association Group Insurance Administrators, P.O. Box 22859, Santa Barbara, CA 93121-9912.

If you have group insurance claims questions or need to submit a claim, call (866) 591-8267. Or, submit your group insurance claim to: NASW Assurance Services, Group Insurance Administrators, PO Box 9060, Phoenix, AZ 85068-9060.

All benefits are subject to the terms and conditions of the policy. Policies underwritten by Hartford Life and Accident Insurance Company detail exclusions, limitations, reduction of benefits and terms under which the policies may be continued in force or discontinued.

¹The Hartford^® is The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc., and its subsidiaries, including issuing company Hartford Life and Accident Insurance Company.