American Income Life | Group Activity Blanket Accident & Illness Insurance | AIL Special Risk

How To Insure 4-H Winter Sports

bviar — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 20:48:33 +0000

Injuries sustained while tobogganing, sledding, tubing or downhill skiing are not covered under the dollar-a-year policy for 4-H Clubs. However full coverage is available by using special event coverage offered by the American Income Life Special Risk Division. Extension Staff and Volunteer Leaders may request coverage for snow sports using Special Activities Coverage for Accident or Illness. Just follow the 4-H and Extension links at www.AmericanIncomeLife.com and click “apply online”.

All three plan options are available to insure a snow sport activity. There are no benefit limits when someone is injured while skiing, sledding, tubing or tobogganing. Remember to report activity dates before you leave, and submit premium payment immediately after you return with the remittance copy. We also suggest printing out a claim form from the website and carrying it with the confirmation of coverage. Please contact our office with any questions you may have about insuing your winter activities.

Look For The AIL Special Risk Division At These 2012 Tradeshows and Meetings

bviar — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 20:23:01 +0000

Southern Baptist Camping Association February 19-21 Woodworth, LA

American Camp Association National February 22-23 Atlanta, GA

Mid States Camp Conference March 8-9 St. Charles, IL

Tri-State Camp Conference March 14-16 Atlantic City, NJ

NACAA AM/PIC July 14-19 Charleston, SC

Student Youth Travel Association August 24-27 Nashville, TN

COE Annual Conference September 24-28 New York, NY

NEAFCS Annual Session September 24-28 Columbus, OH

4-H Congress November 24-26 Atlanta, GA

Christian Camp and Conference Assoc. December 3-6 San Diego, CA

4-H Insurance – Important Changes for 2012

bviar — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 15:15:18 +0000

The American Income Life Special Risk Division and 4-H have enjoyed a unique relationship for six decades which has benefited extension staff, volunteer leaders, and youth participants. Beginning in the 1950′s, the company designed special coverages exclusively for 4-H and Cooperative Extension Programs. First-dollar primary plans are designed to cover the typical accidents and illnesses which occur during youth activities. Today the vast majority of County, Regional, and State 4-H offices utilize our service.

The company is pleased to announce important changes to our Special Activities Coverage for Accident or Illness effective January 1, 2012. This marks the first time in our history significant benefit increases are being offered as well as extending full coverage to snow sports and horse activities. Please carefully review the new rate and benefit options as they are completely different from the old Plans 1, 2, and 3.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Special Activities Coverage benefits still primary?

Yes. The new options provide first dollar benefits that pay first regardless of other insurance. There is no deductible for accidents or illnesses.

Are there any limitations for snow sports or horse activities?

No. You may select any option to insure participants in snow sports and horse related activities. This enables you to provide up to $5000.00 in accident coverage for these types of events.

What is the new minimum premium?

The new minimum premium is $8.00 per activity.

May I use my old red, white, and blue Special Activities brochure?

No, please discard your old brochures. New brochures feature the round AIL logo and Special Risk Division logo (jumping kids).

Are there any changes to the $1-a-year 4-H Club policy?

No. Rates and benefits for the $1-a-year policy remain the same for 2012.

Please e-mail specialrisk@americanincomelife.com with any comments or questions.

Less Than 45% Have Employer Provided Health Insurance According to Gallup

bviar — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 21:07:05 +0000

If a recent survey published at www.gallup.com is correct, a large number of youth participating in camp, 4-H, pre-college programs, and other youth activities may not be insured under employer-based insurance coverage. According to the Gallup-Healthways Well Being Index only 44.5% of adults are covered at work. In addition, over 17% of adults have no insurance. Remaining adults were insured by a government plan or a category termed “something else”.

The report concludes future coverage cut backs are likely as businesses and all levels of government struggle with tough economic conditions. A common restriction workers will see in 2012 are new requirements designed to limit work based coverage for spouses. Gallup says employer based insurance coverage has been steadily declining since 2009.

Reviewing Camp Accidents

bviar — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 08:32:16 +0000

An accident at camp requires immediate attention by your health center and possibly transport to a local medical facility. After treatment is received and all is well with the camper it is easy to file away the related paperwork without taking a moment to review the incident to determine if future accidents could be eliminated or the frequency of similar incidents reduced. Here is a quick six step process that could yield helpful information for the future. Following an accident ask yourself these questions and note the answers.

Who was involved in the accident?
What events and conditions led to the accident?
Where did the accident occur?
When did the accident occur?
How did the accident occur?
Why did the accident occur?

Keep notes in an active file to review at the end of your camp season. A little time and effort may pay big dividends in identifying ways to make your camp activities safer.

The Myth Of Relying On Parent’s Personal Insurance

bviar — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 19:07:20 +0000

There are camps and youth serving organizations that choose not to carry blanket accident insurance for their program participants. They rely on the fact that most of their campers, youth, or students are covered by personal health insurance. Unfortunately the fact is youth injuries during an organization’s sponsored event will result in out of pocket medical expenses for families whether or not they have a personal health insurance policy.

A recent study by the Rand Corporation found that yearly out of pocket expenses for families with health insurance increased from $1620.00 in 1999 to $2820.00 in 2009. An article in Smart Money reports out of pocket medical expenses for a family of four with insurance will increase 9.3% just in 2011. According to a report by Milliman, Inc. medical index projects an average of $3820.00 in out of pocket medical expenses for this year.

When an organization chooses not to carry accident and illness insurance for their activities, they are transferring the cost of medical expenses to the family if their child is injured while in the organization’s care. Doing so is certainly a legitimate option when a camp or youth serving organization is assessing their insurance needs and deciding how their unique risks will be managed. However, American Income Life Special Risk Division encourages you to carefully discuss the options with your board, taking the time to personally calculate how much each family’s individual health policies would pay for a $1200.00 accident bill or $200.00 illness. Keep in mind that most personal insurance provides limited benefits for ambulance charges.

Blanket group activity accident and illness plans are an affordable option to provide coverage for the typical accidents and illnesses which occur when serving youth. Most claims paid by American Income Life (AIL) Special Risk easily exceed the cost to participate in camp or a youth program. We have never had a parent who did not appreciate avoiding out of pocket medical expenses. Again, communicating to parents that they are responsible for any medical bills arising out of their child’s participating in your program is a reasonable option. However, take time to understand the costs you are asking them to bear.