The Hartford, one of the oldest financial companies in the United States, was founded in 1810. The company offers a comprehensive array of insurance products for individuals and businesses, including disability insurance for employers and their employees. Companies can choose from a series of benefit options among Hartford's short-term or long-term disability policies.
The Hartford offers great disability options due to its portability and perks for different policies include features other insurers charge for, like a survivor income benefit.
In general, The Hartford’s offerings target individuals 50 and older, particularly due to its partnership with AARP. The Hartford may make sense for that age group as well due to its group benefits, business insurance, and mutual fund options. However, it's still worth exploring the benefits that Breeze offers to determine which company offers the best benefits, particularly when comparing it against individual versus group insurance.
The Hartford's disability insurance products
The Hartford offers group policies for short-term and long-term disability for employers to pass on to employees, with a range of options to choose from.
The Hartford does not offer disability insurance for individuals.
<a name="basic-disability-insurance-policy-provisions" />Basic disability insurance policy provisions
Depending on the policy chosen, employees may be able to receive up to 60% of their pre-disability income. Though its financial outlook may not be the strongest of all the companies we have reviewed, The Hartford remains a stable institution with an excellent ability to meet its policyholder obligations.
Let's go over the basics of each type of policy in a nutshell, then dive into the basic policy provisions.
- Benefit period: A possible total of 9 to 52 weeks, depending on the size of the group for short-term disability; five years or until retirement age for long-term disability
- Waiting period: Up to 1, 8, 15, or 30 days for short-term disability; 7, 14, 30, 60, 90, or 180 days for long-term disability
- Coverage amount: A total of 50% to 60% of monthly income up to $2,000 per week for short-term disability, 50% to 60% of monthly income up to $10,000 per week for long-term disability
The Hartford short-term disability
Active full-time employees (defined as working 20 to 50 hours per week; the default is 30 hours per week) can voluntarily choose to sign up for The Hartford's short-term disability policy if their employer offers it, though they typically are 100% employee-paid. Active part-time employees (defined as 20 to 50 hours per week) may also be eligible. Seasonal employees or temporary employees cannot get short-term disability.
Benefits could pay out 50% or 60% of pre-disability income for active permanent employees. The short-term disability insurance policy through The Hartford doesn't have a preexisting condition exclusion.
See The Hartford's quick reference guide for other short-term disability details based on the number of employees at your organization.
Learn More: Short Term Disability Insurance
The Hartford long-term disability
Depending on what employers select, employees may be able to tap into 60% of their pre-disability income with a maximum benefit of $3,000 to $10,000 per month. The long-term disability policy has excellent built-in benefits, such as waiver of premium, a survivor benefit (which amounts to a three-month lump sum benefit), family care, and dependent benefits.
Under long-term disability with The Hartford, the definition of disability is own occupation for five years. After five years, it changes to any occupation.
The Hartford's long-term disability policy applies to all active full-time employees working 30+ hours per week, all active full-time employees who work between 20 and 50 hours per week, and all active, part-time employees working 20 to 50 hours per week at a rate guarantee of three years.
Read through The Hartford's quick reference guide for other long-term disability details based on the number of employees at a particular organization.
Learn More: Long Term Disability Insurance
<a name="built-in-disability-insurance-policy-features" />Built-in disability insurance policy features
The Hartford also offers Ability Assist EAP counseling services as part of the perks of signing with The Hartford's short or long-term disability plans. Experts can help you with relationship and marital conflicts, anxiety and depression, substance abuse, and more. You can get guidance on stress, relationship, or other personal issues from highly trained master’s-level clinicians.
Those enrolled in a group disability plan can benefit from a HealthChampion option, which can guide you through your health care options, connect to the right resources and give you administrative support for paperwork, plan questions, and billing. You'll also get clinical support for health questions, appointment preparation, and other resources.
The Hartford offers both of these options through ComPsych, a company that does not provide insurance services.
The Hartford's Ability Advantage portal helps manage claims, leave, and benefits administration in a single portal. In a survey, 95% of respondents found its experience clear and easy to understand. The Access to Ability Assist program also offers confidential emotional, legal, and financial support during the recovery process.
<a name="benefits-provided-at-no-cost" />Benefits provided at no-cost
The Hartford offers multiple beneficial services to policyholders who suffer a disability, including the following:
- "Return-to-work” coordinators: Clinical specialists can help you get back to work after a disability through The Hartford.
- Residual disability benefits: Residual disability benefits pay out a partial benefit if you become disabled but can still work on a limited or part-time basis.
- Premium waiver: You don't have to pay premiums while you're getting disability benefits, as long as you pass your elimination period. (The elimination period refers to the time period between an injury and the receipt of benefit payments.)
- Survivor income benefit: Your beneficiaries can get a lump sum equal to three times your monthly benefit if you die during a covered claim period.
- Family care benefit: If you experience a loss of income or working hours while you care for a family member, you can tap into a family care benefit. This involves caring for a family member of $350 per dependent for the first 12 months. It can amount to $175 thereafter, up to $2,500 per year (for a maximum of 24 months).
- Travel assistance and ID theft protection services: The Hartford will help you with pre-trip information for safety when traveling. You also get ID theft protection 24/7 through educational materials to help prevent identity theft and caseworkers who can help resolve problems related to theft.
Also, you may need your desk or other spaces modified. Your employer can receive money to modify your workstation after your disability.
<a name="about-the-hartford" />About The Hartford
Ultimately, The Hartford offers a solid option for short-term and long-term group disability insurance. The company isn't accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) but it has earned an A+ rating from Moody's and S&P for other areas of the business.
In its more than 200 years of expertise, The Hartford has been recognized for repeated excellence, its sustainability practices, equitable treatment, trust, and integrity.
Melissa Brock is the founder of College Money Tips and a full-time freelance writer and editor. She loves helping families navigate their finances and the college search process.
The information and content provided herein is for educational purposes only, and should not be considered legal, tax, investment, or financial advice, recommendation, or endorsement. Breeze does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, reliability or usefulness of any testimonials, opinions, advice, product or service offers, or other information provided here by third parties. Individuals are encouraged to seek advice from their own tax or legal counsel.
