Perhaps best known for its company mascot, Aflac also gets props for having affordable short-term disability insurance. But if you’re looking for long-term disability or any type of individual disability policy, you will have to look elsewhere.
In the disability market, Aflac only offers group short-term disability insurance through worksite payroll deductions. The company also offers cancer insurance (which was introduced in 1958), critical illness insurance, and hospital coverage.
Aflac disability insurance basics
As a group policy, Aflac’s short-term disability plans are guaranteed issue. This means there is no underwriting and you can’t be turned down for coverage if your employer offers it. The company’s policies are guaranteed renewable up until age 75.
Policy monthly benefit amounts range from $500 to $5,000. Aflac offers benefit periods of 3, 6, 12, 18, or 24 months for total disability and 3 months for partial disability. Waiting period options are 7, 14, 30, 60, 90, or 180 days.
Aflac disability insurance is available in all 50 states. However, as mentioned, it’s only available to people who work for an employer that provides it as part of its voluntary benefits program.
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Aflac disability insurance benefits & features
A unique feature of Aflac policies is its Value Rider. To encourage policyholders to maintain their coverage, Aflac will pay them up to $1,000, minus claims you’ve made, every five consecutive years just for keeping the policy active.
Aflac is also touted for its affordability. The Balance recently included the company on its list of best short-term disability companies, naming it the most affordable option on the market. Aflac says on its website that coverage will cost you less than the price of a movie ticket per week.
Its waiver of premium feature only applies if you lose your sight, hearing, speech, hands, or feet. The feature does not apply to policies with a three-month benefit period.
Aflac includes a partial disability feature. If you can’t perform your job at full capacity due to a covered illness or injury, you may be eligible for partial benefit payments to cover lost wages.
Aflac’s policies are portable. This allows you to take your coverage with you if you leave your job without the premiums going up.
Aflac also provides a disability benefit for injuries incurred on the job.
Several online reviewers noted that the company’s claims process is quick and easy, with payments made within seven days. In some cases, you can receive a claim payment on the same day it’s filed.
Learn More: How Does Disability Insurance Work?
Aflac’s other supplemental plans
Aflac’s cancer insurance is considered one of the best options by Investopedia. The reviewer favors Aflac for covering experimental treatments and paying an initial diagnosis benefit. The company’s cancer policies also cover reconstructive surgery, second opinions, and home health care.
On the flip side, the company may exclude pre-existing conditions that occurred within the previous 10 years of application.
Benefit options include lump-sum payouts or payments spread out over time.
Aflac also gets high marks for having customizable critical illness insurance.
Policy coverages range from $10,000 to $100,000 in increments of $10,000.
The main benefit of Aflac CII is the ability to add riders to cover specific conditions that are not included in the base policy.
Another optional rider will refund the premiums you paid if you go 20 years without filing a claim.
Learn More: Do I Need Critical Illness Insurance?
About Aflac
Aflac, which stands for American Family Life Assurance Company, doesn’t have as long a history as other disability carriers, having been founded in 1955. However, thanks in part to creative advertising featuring its ubiquitous duck mascot, it has become one of the largest and best-known supplemental insurers in the world.
Aflac is the largest provider of voluntary supplemental health insurance policies. It claims to provide financial protection to more than 50 million people worldwide.
In 2021, it ranked 131 on the Fortune 500. It also earned the 57th spot on Fortune’s Most Admired Companies list and was the 7th highest-ranked company in the life and health insurance industry.
In addition, the Columbus, Georgia-based company has also been accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) since 1958 and holds an A+ rating.
Its financial strength ratings are also solid. Aflac is currently rated A+ by A.M. Best (the 2nd highest of 13 rating classes) and A+ by Standard & Poor’s (5th highest of 22 rating classes). It carries an Aa3 rating from Moody’s (4th highest of 21 rating classes).
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