Toronto, ON, Nov. 06, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Foresters Financial™ today announces the launch of its industry-first, non-medical life insurance product portfolio that includes relaxed underwriting guidelines for Americans living with type 2 diabetes. This means more Americans living with type 2 diabetes, which affects 21 million adults in the US1, could qualify for coverage – without paying higher premiums.
New guidelines will apply to Foresters US non-medical products (Term Life, Smart Universal Life, Strong Foundation, and Advantage Plus II Whole Life). Applicant insurability depends on answers to medical and other application questions and underwriting searches and review. Coverage is effective November 14, 2019, to align with World Diabetes Day.
“We are delighted to be the first to provide affordable, non-medical life insurance to those effectively managing type 2 diabetes,” said Jeremy Ragsdale, Vice President, Product and Pricing. “Until now, people living with type 2 diabetes were subject to more rigid underwriting guidelines, having to pay higher premiums than the general public. Thanks to ongoing advancements in the treatment and management of this disease, many people living with type 2 diabetes can live longer, healthier lives. We are proud to be a leader in modernizing our products to accommodate this evolution.”
Life insurance with a larger purpose
The launch of this innovation is driven by Foresters history of providing life insurance with a larger purpose.
This includes offering all policyholders (called members) a full suite of unique benefits that furthers Foresters fraternal mission of enriching the well-being of middle-market families and their communities. Member benefits2 include opportunities for scholarships, community building grants, as well as financial counseling and access to complimentary or discounted legal advice.
“Our strategy to provide life insurance with a larger purpose defines our approach to innovation,” Mr. Ragsdale said. “To help our members enjoy a more rewarding life, we take an holistic approach to their well-being. Our goal is to create products, incentives and unique benefits that not only recognize their commitment to health and wellness, but also factor in their volunteerism and community involvement. Helping others is a central pillar of our mission and what connects us to our members. Making it easier and less costly for those living with type 2 diabetes to access a full suite of products is a vivid example of how we are bringing our strategy to life.”
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About Foresters Financial
Since 1874, Foresters Financial has been providing socially responsible financial services to individuals and families. Foresters Financial includes The Independent Order of Foresters, the oldest non-denominational fraternal benefit society. Foresters is a purpose-driven organization that exists to enrich family and community well-being and offers insurance products to over three million members and clients in Canada, the US and the U.K. For 19 straight years, The Independent Order of Foresters has received an “A” (Excellent) rating from A.M. Best.3 For more information please visit foresters.com
™Foresters Financial, Foresters, and Helping Is Who We Are are trade names and/or trademarks of The Independent Order of Foresters (a fraternal benefit society, 789 Don Mills Rd, Toronto, Canada M3C 1T9) and its subsidiaries.
Foresters products and their riders may not be available or approved in all states and are subject to underwriting approval, limitations, contract terms and conditions, and state variations. Refer to the applicable Foresters Product Guide and the insurance contract for your state for these terms and conditions. Products underwritten by The Independent Order of Foresters.
For information purposes only; not intended to form part of the Foresters Advantage Plus II Whole Life Insurance contract and is not intended to amend, alter or change any of the terms and conditions of the contract. Life insurance contracts are underwritten and issued by The Independent Order of Foresters, a fraternal benefit society. Foresters Advantage Plus II and its riders may not be available or approved in all states and are subject to underwriting approval, limitations, contract terms and conditions, and state variations. Refer to the Foresters Advantage Plus II Whole Life Insurance contract for state specific terms and conditions. Foresters Advantage Plus II and its riders are filed under the form numbers listed below, where “XX” represents either “US” or a state’s postal abbreviation, as applicable. Foresters Advantage Plus II: ICC19-WL-US01 or WL-XX01-2019 or in NY, Whole Life: WL-NY01-2019; Accelerated Death Benefit Rider (for Chronic, Critical and Terminal Illness): ICC14-TRAD-ABRCHCRTI-US01 or TRAD-ABRCHCRTI-XX01-2014; Accelerated Death Benefit Rider (for Critical and Terminal Illness): ICC14-TRAD-ABRCRTI-US01 or TRAD-ABRCRTIXX01-2014; Accelerated Death Benefit Rider (for Terminal Illness): ICC14-TRAD-ABRTI-US01 or TRAD-ABRTI-XX01-2014; Accidental Death Rider: ICC19-WL-ADR-US01 or WL-ADRXX01-2011; Children’s Term Rider: ICC19-WL-CTR-US01 or WL-CTR-XX01-2019; Common Carrier Accidental Death Rider: ICC19-WL-CCADR-US01 or WL-CCADR-XX01-2019; Family Health Benefit Rider: WL-FHB-XX01-2011; Flexible Payment Paid-up Additions Rider: ICC19-WL-FPUAR-US01 or WL-FPUAR-XX01-2019; Guaranteed Insurability Rider: ICC19-WL-GIRUS01 or WL-GIR-XX01-2019; Single Payment Paid-up Additions Rider: ICC19-WL-SPUAR-US01 or WL-SPUAR-XX01-2019; Term Rider: ICC19-WL-TR-US01 or WL-TR-XX01-2019; Waiver of Premium Rider: ICC19-WL-WPR-US01 or WL-WPR-XX01-2019 or in NY, Total Disability Waiver of Premium Rider: WPR-NY01-2019
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1 Prevalence of Diagnosed Diabetes in Adults by Diabetes Type — United States, 2016 Weekly / March 30, 2018 / 67(12);359–361 https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/67/wr/mm6712a2.htm
2 Foresters Financial member benefits are non-contractual, subject to benefit specific eligibility requirements, definitions and limitations and may be changed or cancelled without notice. Foresters members are insureds under a life insurance certificate issued by The Independent Order of Foresters. Financial member benefits are non-contractual, subject to benefit specific eligibility requirements, definitions and limitations and may be changed or cancelled without notice.
3 The A.M. Best rating assigned on August 14, 2019 reflects the overall strength and claims-paying ability of The Independent Order of Foresters (IOF) but does not apply to the performance of any non-IOF issued products. An “A” (Excellent) rating is assigned to companies that have a strong ability to meet their ongoing obligations to policyholders and have, on balance, excellent balance sheet strength, operating performance and business profile when compared to the standards established by A.M. Best Company. A.M. Best assigns ratings from A++ to F, A++ and A+ being superior ratings and A and A- being excellent ratings. See ambest.com for our latest rating.