Common questions
Everything you need to know about association group life, the 20-hour rule, annual association membership fees, guaranteed issue limits, dependent coverage, portability across jobs and retirement, and how Insurancy places coverage for U.S. individuals through Allstate Benefits and other top carriers.
Is comparing association group life quotes through Insurancy really free?+
Yes. Quoting and comparing association group life insurance through Insurancy is 100% free. There is no cost, no obligation, and no credit card required to get a quote. We are compensated by the insurance carrier upon policy issue, never by you. You see the same rates that any member of the association would be quoted directly.
What is association group life insurance and how is it different from a workplace plan?+
Association group life insurance lets you (an individual) buy life insurance as a member benefit of a sponsoring association, instead of as an employee benefit through your job. The association is the master policyholder and certificate-holders (members) are covered under that master policy. Because the carrier underwrites the whole group, you get coverage with no health questions, no medical exam, and no waiting period. The policy goes with YOU - not with a job - and stays in force as long as you remain a member in good standing of the association.
Do I have to join an association to get this coverage?+
Yes. The coverage we place is made available through sponsoring associations whose members are eligible to enroll. There is typically an annual membership fee (often $10 to $50 per year, depending on the association) that you pay to the association in addition to your insurance premium. Your Insurancy specialist will explain exactly which associations sponsor the carriers we work with and what the membership benefits look like.
How much is the association membership fee?+
Most sponsoring associations charge a modest annual membership fee, typically in the range of $10 to $50 per year. The fee covers the cost of running the association and is completely separate from your life insurance premium. Many members find the association membership itself provides additional perks like discounts, advocacy, newsletters, and access to other group benefits - the life insurance is one of several member benefits.
Who is eligible to enroll?+
Eligibility is set by each association and carrier, but most plans we place require that you be either: (1) actively working at least 20 hours per week, or (2) at minimum, capable of working at least 24 hours per week if you were not currently disabled. You also need to be a U.S. resident and within the carrier's age range (typically 18 to 70 at issue, with coverage continuing to age 80 or beyond depending on the policy).
Do I have to answer health questions or take a medical exam?+
No. The biggest advantage of association group life is that you do NOT have to answer any health questions and do NOT have to take a medical exam to receive the guaranteed issue amount of coverage. Larger optional buy-up amounts above the guaranteed issue limit may require a few simple medical questions, but most members never need them. This makes association group life uniquely valuable for people who have been declined elsewhere or who would expect a heavy table rating on individual underwriting.
Is there a waiting period before my coverage starts?+
No. There is no waiting period and no pre-existing condition exclusion on the association group policies we typically place. Coverage starts on the effective date of your certificate, which is usually the first of the month following your enrollment. You are fully insured from day one.
How much coverage can I get?+
Guaranteed issue amounts on association group life typically range from $25,000 to $250,000, depending on the association and carrier. Many plans offer an optional buy-up amount that lets you take total coverage to $300,000 or $500,000, with simplified medical questions on the buy-up portion only. You can layer association group life on top of individual term, employer-paid group life, or any other coverage you already own.
Can I add coverage for my spouse and children?+
Yes. Most association group plans we place include optional dependent life coverage. You can typically add $5,000 to $50,000 of coverage on a spouse and a flat amount (often $5,000 to $10,000) on each eligible child, all with no health questions. Dependent coverage is bundled into your monthly premium so it is administratively simple.
What carriers does Insurancy work with for association group life?+
We work with several top-rated carriers that offer their group life products through sponsoring associations, including Allstate Benefits, Lincoln Financial, Mutual of Omaha, and Reliance Matrix. Allstate Benefits is particularly popular for association group life because of its generous guaranteed issue limits, simple enrollment, and broad availability across multiple sponsoring associations. Your Insurancy specialist quotes multiple carriers and helps you compare.
What does it cost me per month?+
Association group life premium is age-banded and paid by you monthly (or annually) - typically billed via ACH or credit card. Rates are competitive and, for many people, cheaper than the same coverage purchased as a medically-underwritten individual policy - particularly if you have any health concerns. A healthy 35-year-old might pay $5 to $10 per month for $50,000 of association group life; a healthy 55-year-old might pay $25 to $40 per month for the same amount. Premium increases as you age into higher bands.
What happens if I leave the association?+
If your association membership lapses or you cancel, your group life coverage will end - usually at the next renewal cycle, with a grace period in between. To keep coverage in force, you simply need to maintain your association membership in good standing. Some carriers offer a conversion privilege that lets you convert to an individual policy without underwriting if your association membership ends; your Insurancy specialist will walk you through the specific conversion rules for the carrier you choose.
Can I keep this coverage if I change jobs or retire?+
Yes - that is one of the biggest reasons to choose association group life over employer-paid workplace group life. Because the policy is tied to your association membership and not your job, it follows you through job changes, self-employment, retirement, and beyond. Many of our members start association group life precisely because they want a portable layer of guaranteed-issue coverage that does not disappear the day they leave a company.
Is association group life a fit for me if I have pre-existing health conditions?+
Often, yes. Because most of the coverage we place is guaranteed issue with no health questions, it is one of the very few life insurance options available to people with diabetes, prior cancer, heart conditions, depression, sleep apnea, or other conditions that would result in a decline or heavy table rating on an individual policy. We routinely place association group life for members who have been declined or rated by other carriers.
Does the coverage include AD&D and other living benefits?+
Most of the plans we place include or can add Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) coverage at a very low premium. Many also include an Accelerated Death Benefit / Living Benefit rider that lets you receive a portion of the death benefit early if you are diagnosed with a terminal illness. Some carriers bundle additional value-added services like Travel Assistance, Will Preparation, and Beneficiary Counseling at no extra cost.
How long does it take to get covered?+
Most association group life applications are issued within 1 to 7 business days. Your Insurancy specialist helps you choose a plan, complete the brief enrollment form, and join the sponsoring association on the same call if you do not already belong. Coverage typically becomes effective on the first day of the following month, with your certificate delivered electronically the same week.