Page 21 - Federation Magazine: August/September 2015

Group Insurance: can you afford not to be in it? he vast majority of Federation their partner and any children up to the age protection and support to both you and your members who pass away are covered of 18, who are diagnosed with a critical family in times of need. It is only a matter of Tby the Federation’s Group Insurance illness. This is an invaluable insurance time before we deal with another deceased Scheme, meaning that their family will be considering recent diagnosis statistics. member’s loved ones and, regrettably, in looked after financially and emotionally in As one member said: “Having the extra some cases the cover will not be there to the event of their death; a big weight off money doesn’t change my illness, but with a protect them. their mind in such circumstances. year of treatment ahead it means I don’t “We strongly advise that you check to However, this is not always the case. have to worry about the bills.” see whether you are covered under this Although 5,619 (82 per cent) of our Steve Grange, the Federation’s secretary, scheme. For more details call our office on members are covered by the Group explains: “These schemes are here to offer 0121 700 1200 and select Option 2.” Insurance Scheme’s life assurance cover, 1,227 (18 per cent) are not. If you are one of these officers currently not covered, we urge you to please reconsider your options. Did you know? The cover provides a benefit of £115,000 payable upon death to a chosen beneficiary. It also includes a terminal illness benefit, l For an additional premium of £5.85, members can insure their whereby a 20 per cent advance of the life partner for life assurance, personal accident, critical illness, RAC assurance benefit may be sought in the case breakdown cover and mobile phone/gadget insurance. of a terminal prognosis, giving the member £23,000 upfront. l As of 1 July 2015, serving police officers who have a partner who is In addition, the scheme provides a also a West Midlands serving officer may also extend the spouse/ bereavement counselling and probate partner cover to include sickness (Regulation 28) insurance at a advice line available to family members 24 supplementary cost of £2.20. hours a day, offering confidential support, And... emotional help and specialist legal advice during those tough times. l The Group Insurance Scheme now also includes mobile phone and The Federation’s critical illness scheme gadget insurance for subscribing members and their partners. also lends a helping hand at tough times, providing a benefit to subscribing members, l Insurers will pay one claim per member per year, up to a maximum of £1,000 per claim, for repair or replacement in the event of breakdown. accidental damage, theft, accidental loss (mobile phones only) or More information on the Group Insurance Scheme is available on the West Midlands Police Federation website at westmidspolfed.com www.westmidspolfed.com federation August/September 2015 21