National Association of Consumers Direct Plans through All Insurance Network Protection Package and Protection Package Plus
Accidents happen. That is a truism we have to accept whether we like it or not. That is why cars are fitted with airbags and seatbelts, ships carry lifeboats, and planes have evacuation slides as well as life rafts and vests. The man who said “it is better to have them and not need them than to need them and not have them” probably had these things in mind when he coined the phrase. Another thing that would definitely fall within this idea of something you’d rather not need but is very useful in the event that you do need it, is an accident insurance.
Accidents spell trouble, not only physically but also financially. Financially, it cuts two ways. You won’t be able to work at a time when you need the money to pay for your medical care. It is for this reason that an accident insurance is most useful if you need it.
The National Association of Consumers Direct (NACD) recognizes this, and this is why it is offering, through All Insurance Network (AIN), an affordable yet comprehensive Protection Package designed to tide you over in times of misfortune.
The insurance benefits from the package start with a Personal Accident Insurance Program. For minimal monthly dues starting at $24.95, you are covered for Accident Medical Expense benefits. This includes medical and dental expenses directly resulting from accidental injury per occurrence. Coinciding with the Accident Medical Expense is the Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) benefit that pays as much as $50,000.00 for accidental death or dismemberment, the latter being defined to include not only the loss of use of the limbs but also loss of sight, speech, and hearing. Any related loss that occurs within 365 days after an accident is covered.
An Accident Disability Income component of the Personal Accident Insurance Program assures you of a steady income if a disability resulting from an accident within 30 days after its occurrence precludes the performance of your usual occupation. The benefit pays $400.00 per month for a maximum of six months, which starts after a 90-day Elimination Period, provided you are not above 70 years of age.
All registered non-delinquent members of the NACD who are not beyond 70 years old are eligible to enroll in the Protection Package. Their family members also qualify for family membership. However, only the principal member can receive the Accident Disability Income.
There are three variations of the insurance. These are outlined below along with their corresponding Accident Medical Expense and AD&D benefits and the relevant monthly dues.
The Protection Package goes even beyond paying medical and dental bills, death, or dismemberment caused by accidents. It also provides access to Consult A Doctor, a medical facility that offers 24/7 access to US-based licensed physicians via e-mail or phone. This means you can consult with the doctors right from you home, office, or anywhere, referring almost any medical condition you might have from arthritis to zygomycosis.
If the doctors are given an accurate description of the symptoms, they can provide an online Medical Assessment free of charge. Assessment via telephone is also available through NACD’s Member Services at a cost of $10.00. If appropriate the doctors may prescribe medication.
Another feature of the benefit is the Emergency Helicopter Rescue Program. Accidents can happen in all places. If it occurred in some remote place and you require immediate medical attention, helicopter transport may be necessary. There may also be instances when the medical facility where you are does not have the equipment for your proper treatment, necessitating immediate transfer to a more suitably equipped medical facility.
The Protection Package reimburses either the member or the provider up to $4,000.00 per occurrence. The only requirement is that the transport is “Medically Necessary” or the injury is “Life Threatening”.
In the Protection Package Plus, you get all the benefits of the basic package plus more. You get the Short Term and Long Term Permanent Total Accident Disability benefit. In the event that you are permanently totally disabled, you will receive $5,000 for a period of six months under the Short Term benefit. This, however, requires a waiting period of six months before you begin to receive the amount. Under the Long Term benefit, the amount is doubled to $10,000 and the benefit period is extended to 120 months. The waiting period for this is likewise doubled to 12 months.
If you opt for Family Membership, the benefits also apply to your spouse but only at 50% of the amount you are entitled to as the Principal Member.
Permanent total disability, for this purpose, means loss of both hands or feet, one hand and foot, speech and hearing in both ears; that you are unable to engage in an occupation appropriate to your training and experience; and that you are under the supervision of a physician unless you have reached maximum possible recovery.
In addition to the Permanent Total Accident Disability benefit, you are also protected from fraud arising from the theft of your ID under the Fraud Resolution and ID Theft Prevention Program. Once you report your stolen ID, A Fraud Resolution Specialist provides free consultation on your course of action, and initiates emergency responses. This includes the restoration of your identity and good credit, and the administration of the steps to contest unauthorized use of your credit.
The monthly dues vary with your preferred Personal Accident Insurance.
It is always comforting to know that you have something to fall back on in times of catastrophe. You hope it won’t happen but if does you are ready. You can compare the Protection Package with the spare tire in the trunk of your car.