Did you know that disabilities affect 1 in 3 people and that if you are disabled for more than 90 days, the average disability will last 2.5 years?  Could you survive financially without your income for that amount of time?  What would happen to your savings and your financial stability?  We at Zavitz Insurance have been protecting the incomes of dental hygienists for over 25 years.  We’re experts in the field.  Our experience has assisted us in dealing with claims ranging from carpel tunnel syndrome to cancer, car accidents to depression.  Disability insurance helps to protect your financial health so you can concentrate on improving your physical health. 

While disability insurance is important to have, it can be daunting to research the different types of coverage available.  It is not like shopping for life insurance as death is easy to define and understand.  With disability insurance, the contract determines how you are paid.  Various issues to consider include;

·         The definition of total disability; is it defined as the inability to perform your job as a hygienist, or is it the inability to perform any occupation?

·         Does the contract provide for partial disability benefits if you suffer a loss of income because of an accident or sickness?

·         Does the contract protect you in the event of an accident or sickness or just accident alone?

·         Are you protected 24 hours a day anywhere in the world or just at work? 

·         Are you protected if on a maternity leave or if you reduce your hours from full time to part time?

·         Can premium rates or contractual language be changed at the discretion of the insurance company or is your contract and premium guaranteed?  Guarantees are important as we have seen premium rates for hygienist coverage rise considerably over the last 20 years due to high claims.  For those who have guaranteed contracts, there has been no negative change.

 Zavitz Insurance is a brokerage firm. We do not represent any one insurance company, but instead, have contracts with all the major disability insurance companies and have the ability to shop the market for you.  One company in particular, Blue Cross, offers disability coverage to hygienists with unbeatable premiums.   

Now is the time to get coverage.  Once you have this coverage, it cannot be taken away. 

Blue Cross Graduating Hygienist Offer

Disability insurance is the most important insurance coverage for a hygienist to own but can be the most difficult to get.  If you are a graduating hygienist, now is the best time to obtain your coverage!

What Makes Blue Cross’ Offer Valuable?

·         Coverage is available without evidence of health – No need to worry about declines, increased premiums or exclusions

·         Guaranteed $1500/month of coverage without regards to income

·         Most competitive premium rates on the market – Other insurance companies deem dental hygienists a very risky occupation class and charge a much higher premium

Does the Contract Provide Adequate Protection?

Yes the Blue Cross contract is a strong disability contract which includes good definitions and guarantees.  Their contract offers:

·       24 hour around the world protection

·       Guaranteed contract provisions

·       A regular occupation definition which protects you in your job as a hygienist

·       Indexation of your disability benefit according to inflation every 12 months once disabled up to a maximum of 3%/year

·       Automatic benefit increases to help keep pace with your increasing income

·       Return to work bonus which helps you get back on you feet following a disability of 24 months or more

·       Partial disability benefit which pays the claimant 50% for 24 months and 25% thereafter should he/she suffer a partial disability

·       Ability to add a return of premium and have up to 100% of premiums refunded at age 65, any claims paid out will be subtracted from the refund

*Please note that Blue Cross will integrate with benefits received from other sources, and if evidence of health is not given a 12 month pre-existing condition exclusion is applicable.  Blue Cross also reserves the right to increase premiums; however should they choose to do so premiums must be increased for an entire class of policy holders.

What Else is Available?

·         Accidental Fracture – Receive a lump sum of up to $10,000 if you suffer a fracture.

·         Critical Illness Insurance – Receive a lump sum benefit if you contract a critical illness and get your premiums back if you don’t.  Evidence of health is required.

·         Extended Health Care – Have your drugs, paramedical practitioners and emergency travel expenses covered.  There are 2 plans options available, one that requires evidence of health and one that does not.

·         Life Insurance – Protect your dependents and have your debts paid in the event of your death.  Evidence of health is required.