Helpful advice from CARP s recommended insurance provider VOLUME 6 ISSUE 4 PG 8 KEEP YOUR MONEY WHERE IT BELONGS A must-read if shopping for auto & home insurance! Also in this issue: You just can t afford to buy on price alone! 3 4 Choosing the right travel insurance coverage is an important decision. Has CARP uncovered an antidote to aging? You think you re helping others, but you may in fact be helping yourself! Published by The McLennan Group Insurance Inc. and CARP, a New Vision of Aging for Canada.
CARP Trusted Coverage In 1993, The McLennan Group Insurance Inc. and CARP joined forces to provide innovative insurance solutions with the right combination of coverage, service, value and trustworthy advice. But knowing no single insurance program can be the best solution for everyone, we urge all CARP members to compare before you buy. That s why this issue offers helpful information about various types of insurance coverage. Be sure the program meets your needs. Read the fine print and don t be afraid to ask questions. And remember, buying insurance without proper coverage is just like having no insurance at all. Auto & Home Insurance offered by The McLennan Group Insurance Inc. and is underwritten by Northbridge Personal Insurance Corporation, Northbridge General Insurance Corporation, Traders General Insurance Company or Zenith Insurance Company, depending on your province of residence. Premiums and eligibility for group program will vary for specific drivers depending upon individual factors. Pet Insurance underwritten by Northbridge General Insurance Corporation and distributed by PTZ Insurance Brokers Ltd. (by Sodaco Juridique Inc. in Quebec). Life and Health plans offered by The McLennan Group Life Insurance Inc. Health & Dental, Guaranteed Issue Life, and Term Life Insurance, FollowMe Health, and FollowMe Life underwritten by The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company. / Trademarks held by The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company. Travel Insurance underwritten by The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company and First North American Insurance Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Manulife Financial. Critical Illness and Long Term Care Insurance offered through MyDignity Inc. AD&D Insurance underwritten by Chartis Insurance Company. Group rates and certain products may not be available in all jurisdictions. Certain conditions, limitations, exclusions and restrictions apply. Refer to policy wordings for complete details. Inside this issue CARP Reports: Pages 4-5, 12-13 Insurance Insights 101: Travel... 3 Long Term Care... 6 Health & Dental... 7 Auto & Home... 8 Life...10 Critical Illness...11 Pet...14 FollowMe...15 Sergeant Bob reminds all CARP members, Don t gamble with your safety. The McLennan Group Insurance Inc. wants CARP members to be safe. We partnered with retired Police Sergeant Bob Paterson to develop and share his practical safety tips for Canadian 50-plus. Look for great advice & more: www.seniorsafetytips.ca Travel Insurance When buying travel insurance, take your time. Selecting the proper coverage might be the most important decision you ll ever make! Most claim denials are the result of customers not understanding what they have purchased, or simply not reading their policy to learn what is and isn t covered. Be sure you know about your policy s limitations and/or exclusions before you buy. To ensure you re properly protected, you will need to answer all application questions honestly. Forgetting disclosure of a pre-existing condition could make your policy null and void. If you are unsure what a question means, don t guess at the answer; get advice from a licensed broker. You can t afford to buy on price alone! If the rate sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Before you buy, compare added benefits, worldwide assistance service and the policy maximums. To help make an informed decision, ask: Is coverage provided for the entire length of your trip? Can your coverage be extended after you ve departed? Is your return trip home paid if there is an emergency? What documentation is needed if you make a claim? Do you need to call the assistance phone number at the time of emergency to be eligible for coverage? Compare Travel Insurance for CARP Members: Toll-Free: 1.866.943.6103 carpinsurance.ca 2 INSURANCE INSIGHTS Volume 6, Issue 4 Volume 6, Issue 4 INSURANCE INSIGHTS 3
Volunteering: an antidote to aging? Over the last 20 years, several studies have shown that while volunteering provides a pro-social good for society, at the same time it offers many individual benefits. The studies show that volunteers tend to have lower mortality rates, greater mobility and lower rates of depression than those who do not volunteer. The sense of purpose for older volunteers is a powerful elixir at a time when their status in society is changing (ie: empty nest, retired, widowed, etc.) and is the kind of engagement that goes hand-in-hand with the fight against loneliness. Volunteering offers more than just being with others; it gives a sense of contribution and belonging. What s more, those who volunteer Every one of us can help, by being a good friend or neighbour to the older people in our lives, even if we are older persons too. more than 100 hours per year tend to have the best outcomes. CARP s Community Development team works with Chapters across Canada to help them engage local members by hosting events and providing ongoing opportunities to connect with each other. Further, CARP members are encouraged to be good neighbours and reach out to the isolated seniors in their neighbourhood. If you are not already active in your local CARP Chapter, please contact your local Chairperson, plan to attend a meeting, and offer some of your time. If there is no Chapter in your community, then consider starting one yourself. It s good for you, you will make new friends, and achieve that sense of well-being that comes with being part of good cause. For more information on CARP Chapters: Elise Kayfetz, CARP Manager, Community Programs 1-888-363-2279 x. 258 Getting involved is good for you! CARP s cross-canada network of Chapters offer our members the opportunity to engage with peers and younger generations in activities and advocacy all in support of our mission to improve the lives of Canadians as we age. The good works of our Chapter members and their volunteer leadership is not only a positive for our association, but also for the members themselves. 4 CARP REPORT To Find Out More Visit carp.ca 5 To Find Out More Visit carp.ca CARP REPORT
Long Term Care Insurance Choose the type of care that s best for you. If you are physically dependent due to accident, illness or aging, are cognitively impaired, or not able to perform the activities of daily living, daily care will be necessary on a long term basis. But because of limited government funding, your monthly expenses can reach into the thousands of dollars. Long term care insurance protects your savings and independence, and lets you choose to receive care in a facility or your own home. The three policy types are: (1) Reimbursement; will repay expenses up to your limit. (2) Indemnity; pays a set amount for pre-qualified expenses. (3) Income based; will pay for loss of independence, if expenses are incurred or not. With all policies, premiums are based on your age at time of application. It s long term care insurance simplified. If you try to obtain coverage later in life when it s difficult to acquire, you could consider a simplified issue plan. Less underwriting is required; there are limited health questions, and no medical exam is needed. Coverage with lifetime benef its of $50,000 or more can be purchased up to age 80. Assistance services like housekeeping are included. Speak with our program partner MyDignity, about Long Term Care and Simplified Issue Long Term Care Insurance for CARP Members. Toll-Free: 1.877.851.4520 carpinsurance.ca Health & Dental Insurance Who couldn t use additional health care benefits? Supplemental health insurance protects you from the high cost of health care if you re not covered by a employer-sponsored plan, or just feel that you need more coverage. If you don t have adequate coverage levels at work, consider a specialty plan like dental enhanced; 90% co-pay for basic, diagnostic and other services like oral surgery, endodontics, periodontics and dentures. Extended health care plans provide added coverage for vision care, registered specialists and therapists, homecare and nursing, even custom-made orthotics. Some plans offer guaranteed acceptance, no medical questionnaire required. If you think you re covered, you d better think again! Many health care benef its; even routine services like dental care, prescription medications, hearing aids, vision care, health specialists and home support services receive limited or no government coverage. For details on health care coverage in Canada, click Insurance Insights on www.carpinsurance.ca. Vision Care Dental Care Prescription Medicine To find out about coverage from the five cost-effective Health & Dental Insurance Plans for CARP Members, call toll-free or visit online: 1.877.551.5566 carpinsurance.ca 6 INSURANCE INSIGHTS Volume 6, Issue 4 Volume 6, Issue 4 INSURANCE INSIGHTS 7
Auto & Home Insurance Insurance shopping? Do your homework, ask questions and take all the discounts that you re entitled to. If you do You ll be watching your SAVINGS GROW! A uto & home insurance rates are based on risk that is, the likelihood a policyholder will make a claim, and the estimated cost of that claim. Although this seems pretty straightforward, there are many steps you can take to lower your premiums. Are you doing enough? DISCOUNTS... The Easiest Way To Lower Your Premiums! It seems that in almost every auto insurance ad you see, someone is giving discounts for good drivers. And most insurers offer discounts on each policy when you combine your auto & home insurance. But dig deeper and you ll typically find additional savings. When comparing providers, ask for their complete list of available discounts. Depending on the provider, discounts may include: Auto Insurance Discounts Home Insurance Discounts Simple ways you can lower your insurance premiums: Among other factors, the price you pay will be affected by the amount of coverage selected, provincial regulations, the daily use of your vehicle, and where you live. But if you want to pay the lowest rate, consider this: Drive safely and responsibly. Maintain a clean driving record; avoid accidents, speeding tickets and other moving violations. Drop collision coverage on your older vehicles. Consider the vehicle you buy. Faring better in collisions means fewer injuries to the occupants and less damage to the vehicle. In addition, newer and/or more expensive vehicles could cost more to repair or replace. And don t forget to ask your insurance provider about available discounts! 50-plus and / or retiree Claims and conviction free Renewal / loyalty Multi-vehicle Toys; ATV s, motorcycles, etc. Graduated licensing Driver re-training Student away from home Claims free Mortgage-free Evaluator / Inspection to estimate replacement cost Renewal / loyalty New home / age of dwelling Centrally monitored burglar and f ire alarm system With the right discounts, or even by switching to a group plan, you really can save on your insurance premiums. But make sure you won t have to sacrifice coverage, plan benefits or claims service to get that lower price. Compare Auto & Home Insurance for CARP Members premiums: Toll-Free: 1.866.231.8186 carpinsurance.ca 8 INSURANCE INSIGHTS Volume 6, Issue 4 Volume 6, Issue 4 INSURANCE INSIGHTS 9
It Life Insurance Plans goes without saying that to help protect loved ones against financial hardship, you need to consider proper life insurance coverage. But with the various forms of life insurance available, which is best? Choosing the right option for you will depend on your specific needs. For example: To get more coverage for the money, consider term life insurance plans. Premiums are lower because the policies hold no cash value. Some plans offer coverage for applicants to age 70, with an option to renew up to age 85. If obtaining coverage is a concern, consider a guaranteed issue life plan. You ll be accepted for coverage with no medical questionnaire, upon receipt of initial premium. Coverage is available for those between age 50 and 80. Benef its can range from a small amount up to $150,000 or more. Rates are based on age at time of application, are f ixed for the initial term and rise on renewal. Benef it amounts will be smaller than with an underwritten plan; typically a maximum of $25,000. Accidental death could pay up to f ive times the policy value. To find out if Guaranteed Issue Life Insurance for CARP Members or the simplified Term Life Insurance for CARP Members are right for you, visit us at: carpinsurance.ca. Term Life Insurance: 1.855.460.3631 Guaranteed Issue Life Insurance for CARP Members: 1.800.396.4389 Protect your loved ones... Critical Illness Insurance The chances that you or someone you love will be affected by critical illness such as cancer, a stroke, or a heart attack? One in Three. During recovery from, or treatment for a serious illness, the expenses not covered by provincial health plans or other insurance could be tens of thousands of dollars. What s more, you may be unable to function in your current home or even return to work. The financial implications could be devastating. Critical illness insurance provides tax-free payments upon diagnosis, for costs incurred during treatment for, and recovery from a covered illness or condition. Policy benefits can be used for income replacement, medications, home renovations, vacations, etc. it s your choice. About 90% of policy claims cancer, heart attack, stroke and bypass surger y are covered by most basic insurance plans. Comprehensive plans will cover the basic illnesses plus over 20 of the more serious illnesses, surgeries and disorders. Critical illness insurance is not an impulse purchase. Along with your family history; the age that a close family member was diagnosed with a covered illness, underwriting will look at the health and lifestyle practices of the applicant. Don t wait until you re stricken with a serious illness. Make the call and protect yourself now. Improve your your odds of surviving financially. Let program partner MyDignity explain the benefits of Critical Illness Insurance for CARP Members: 1.877.851.4520 carpinsurance.ca 10 INSURANCE INSIGHTS Volume 6, Issue 4 11 Volume 6, Issue 4 INSURANCE INSIGHTS
Tips to Help Reduce the Risk of Pedestrian-Vehicle Collisions: Eliminate distractions; put away the cellphone when crossing the street. Look both ways before crossing. Make eye contact with the driver before crossing in front of a vehicle. Wear visible reflective clothing! CARP CARES Be Visible... BE SAFE! E very year there is a increase in the number of pedestrians who are hit by cars or trucks on Canadian streets during the dark winter months. Police statistics and studies report that crosswalk collisions have been rising. Early darkness, bad weather and pedestrians wearing dark clothing prove to be a lethal combination. And whether the fault is with pedestrians or the drivers, the result is far too many pedestrians end up injured or even dead. Many pedestrians think if they see the vehicle, the driver can see them. Such assumptions have fatal outcomes much too often. This tragedy of people, young and old, being killed or badly injured in collisions with vehicles, especially in darker winter months, needs to stop. While we can only encourage pedestrians to pay greater attention at night, we can help make them more visible. That s why CARP teamed up with The McLennan Group Insurance Inc. to issue CARP CARES reflective arm bands. We are distributing these CARP CARES reflective arm bands to our Chapters across the country, and hope our members will wear them. It s CARP s way of trying to make the streets and our members, a little safer at night. 360 Degrees of Care Around the #HealthCareCitizen We ve all dealt with the health care system as a patient or a caregiver at some point in our lives. Yet a majority of us are in the dark about where or how to get care, and sometimes what kind of care we really need. Also, even with the right knowledge there are many obstacles preventing people from accessing quality care when needed, such as long wait times, bed shortages, lack of post-acute care beds and specialized training. The solution must come from the system and not from individual attempts to navigate the system. As a result, in its submission to the Advisory Panel on Health Innovation, CARP is calling for a full system re-design that will provide comprehensive 360 degrees of care that will treat Canadians as health care citizens with the right to expect timely and appropriate care and equal treatment regardless of age, income and postal code. It is time the system changes to prioritize the needs of health care citizens. CARP points out the system is designed around priorities and interests of service providers instead of those it serves. But as tax-paying health care citizens, Canadians want the system to address all their needs, enabling them to maintain their health and well-being. CARP calls on government to stop prioritizing the needs of service providers and focus on the needs of health care citizens. CARP s Social Contract for Health Care: Prevention Social Determinants of Health End-of-Life Care Medical Treatment & Care Caregiver Support The Health Care Citizen s Values and Expectations National standards of care quality and timely access Care responsive to need Sustained funding Value for money System overhaul to reallocate resources 12 CARP REPORT To Find Out More Visit carp.ca 13 To Find Out More Visit carp.ca CARP REPORT
Pet Insurance Search online for pet insurance, and you ll likely see many articles asking, is it worth it? In 2009, Statistics Canada said households spent $420 on average for pet health care. But an accident or illness could send costs skyrocketing - up to $3,000 for treatment of broken bones, $10,000 or more for cancer treatments. If you factor the costs for blood tests, medications, and accommodations, even treatment for a routine virus could reach $5,000. 2 out of 3 dogs and cats will develop a significant health problem in their lifetime. The right time to protect my health is when I m healthy! Pet insurance can both protect you from unexpected health care costs, and help you budget for your pet s annual health care expenses. If you wait until your dog or cat is sick or injured, it will be too late to apply for coverage as there will be pre-existing condition exclusions. Premiums will be affected by the lifetime maximums and coverage levels you choose. Read the policy terms, conditions and limits to learn what is and isn t covered - BEFORE you buy! You can manage the financial risk while protecting their health, with Pet Insurance for CARP Members. Click: carpinsurance.ca Call: 1.877.851.4522 The End of Your Company Benefits? Are you about to lose your employer-sponsored health care benefits or life insurance? If you haven t applied for personal coverage in years, you may find that your age or current health condition will make it difficult to obtain coverage. As a result, you may have to pay out-of-pocket for services and benefits not covered by your provincial health plan. What s more, you may be unable to protect your family s financial future. Programs like the FollowMe Plans let you maintain health care benefits similar to your company plan, and keep life insurance coverage up to the amount you had under your group insurance plan; to a maximum of $200,000. If your company benefits are ending, you must apply inside of 60 days. You can enjoy uninterrupted coverage without a waiting period - if you apply within 60 days of the loss of your employer-sponsored plan. No medical exam or questionnaire are needed at the time of application. Acceptance for coverage is guaranteed*. Happy Retirement! Are you ready? Make sure your benefits will be following you! FollowMe Health 1.877.551.5566 FollowMe Life 1.800.396.4389 Visit: carpinsurance.ca / Trademarks held by The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company. *Acceptance subject to receipt of initial premium payment 14 INSURANCE INSIGHTS Volume 6, Issue 4 Volume 6, Issue 4 INSURANCE INSIGHTS 15
Insurance Programs for CARP Members When it s easy to protect yourself from whatever life brings your way, you can deal with CARP s trusted provider for all of your insurance needs, and their program partners are experts in the design of innovative coverage solutions for Canadians 50-plus... It s insurance simplified. 1.866.231.8186 Auto & Home 1.877.851.4522 Pet 1.877.551.5566 Health & Dental and FollowMe Health 1.877.851.4520 Critical Illness 1.800.461.5796 Accident (AD&D) 1.800.396.4389 Guaranteed Issue Life and FollowMe Life 1.866.943.6103 Travel 1.855.460.3631 Term Life 1.877.851.4520 Long Term Care and Simplified Issue LTC carpinsurance.ca Visit us online for complete plan details. Our free, easy-to-use app makes insurance simple to understand. Check the features and download for free at: carpinsurance.ca. Proud to Be CARP s Trusted Insurance Provider Since 1993 FREE MOBILE APP! The McLennan Group Insurance Inc. and The McLennan Group Life Insurance Inc. work with a number of trusted Canadian insurers. Auto & Home Insurance Program and Pet Insurance Program offered by The McLennan Group Insurance Inc. Life and Health Plans are offered by The McLennan Group Life Insurance Inc. Group rates and certain products may not be available in all jurisdictions. Certain conditions and restrictions apply. Please refer to your policy wordings for complete details. The McLennan Group Insurance Inc. respects your privacy. Please visit our website to review our Privacy Commitment.