The Hartford Financial Services Group has launched Life Conversations Express Pay, a new program which enhances payment of death benefits for consumers protected by group life insurance policies.
According to Hartford, beneficiaries who use its Everest Funeral Planning, a service available to consumers who obtain The Hartford’s group life insurance through their employers, can receive death benefits in 48 hours from the date of death.
The company will accept a certificate of death from a funeral home, which speeds up payment of death benefits.
The new death benefits payment program is offered through its Life Conversations, a suite of end-of-life resources that includes funeral planning, will preparation, estate planning, and also emotional, financial, and legal support services to beneficiaries.
Operating out of a call center that is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, Everest’s advisers will take beneficiaries through the process of planning a funeral and filing a life insurance claim, including the availability of Life Conversations Express Pay.
The death benefit can be expedited in instances where insured died from natural causes, such as an illness, and cause of death does not need to be investigated. The death benefit proceeds can also be placed into a safe haven account created for beneficiary on their request, and then a draftbook is mailed overnight to allow immediate access to funds.
Ron Gendreau, executive vice president of Hartford’s Group Benefits Division, said: “We developed a simple but innovative program that combines our quality life insurance products and service with Everest’s expertise to deliver real value to consumers. We’ve updated our group life insurance so that Americans get help when they need it most.”