Our Voluntary Benefits
When it comes to choosing voluntary benefits, you need a company that knows voluntary benefits and has a proven track record. A company that’s dedicated to long-term relationships. One that invests considerable resources, to give you nearly everything you need – all from one source.
You have many options to help get the work done. But the more you learn about us, and the more you work with us, we think you’ll see we’re a partner you can trust. After all, voluntary benefits have been our focus for over 25 years.
What voluntary benefits are available?
There’s a huge range of voluntary insurance plans out there in the market , some examples include disability insurance, accident insurance, dental or ‘softer’ benefits that may include retail or ticket discounts, gym membership or ‘concierge services’ like collecting the dry cleaning.
According to Willis Towers Watson’s 2013 survey, the most common voluntary benefits under the four banners of health, wealth, security and personal are:
Health
Vision insurance
Regular eye exams help maintain healthy vision and are the first line of defense in detecting more serious eye conditions, such as glaucoma, high blood pressure and diabetes. Vision insurance typically helps pay for eye exams, glasses and contact lenses. They may also offer discounts on treatments such as laser eye surgery or eyecare accessories.
Dental
Dental insurance can provide benefits for both routine and more expensive dental procedures that are not covered by most health insurance. They typically include cleaning, fillings, sealants, tooth removal, crowns and dentures - and may also provide benefits for regular dental appointments.
Accident
Accident insurance plans can help offset the unexpected medical expenses that may result from a covered accidental injury. Typically, they help cover some of the expenses for initial care, surgery, transportation and lodging, and follow-up care.
Critical Illness
Critical illness insurance can complement major medical coverage by providing a lump-sum benefit for an employee diagnosed with a covered critical illness, such as heart attack, stroke, coronary artery bypass surgery, end stage renal failure or major organ transplant - among others. Benefits are typically paid directly to the employee, so they can be used where they’re most needed.
Hospital indemnity
Hospital confinement indemnity insurance provides a lump-sum benefit to help with out of pocket costs related to a hospital stay . This may include outpatient surgery, diagnostic tests, doctor’s appointments and emergency room trips.
Wealth/Lifestyle
Disability
Disability insurance replaces a percentage of an employee’s income if they become disabled as a result of a covered accident or sickness, to help them continue to make ends meet while they’re out of work.
Legal
Legal typically gives employees access to qualified attorneys at a reduced cost. Coverage usually applies to the most common personal legal matters including family, vehicle, real estate, civil lawsuits and wills.
Financial counseling
Financial counseling helps employees manage their finances. Traditionally, this has mainly focused on retirement plans, but as baby boomers approach the end of their working careers, financial counseling now also includes a range of topics such as credit card debt, investment advice, tax advice, saving and budgeting.
Security
Life insurance
Life insurance pays out a lump sum to help provide financial protection for an employee’s family members in the event of the employee’s death. Coverage can be updated to reflect changes in life such as getting married, buying a home or having a child. Most plans offer spouse and child coverage.
Long-term care insurance
Long-term care insurance pays a daily amount (up to an agreed pre-set figure) to help provide for people who need long-term help with day-to-day activities such as dressing, eating, using the toilet, getting in and out of bed or a chair and walking, among others. This may include care at home, daycare, care at a hospice or nursing home, or at a similar facility.
Personal travel accident
Travel accident insurance is designed to provide extra protection while travelling internationally, supplementing coverage typically provided by an accidental death or dismemberment policy. It typically covers emergency medical and legal fees.
Identity theft
Identify theft insurance does not cover any financial loss as the result of identity theft. Instead, it may include monitoring public records and alerting the employee to any fraudulent use of their personal details, including attempted loans and credit applications. It also covers the cost of repairing the person’s credit history.
NWGS can offer many other products, please contact us for more information.