Occupational Class Upgrades

Gastroenterologists and Pediatricians have been upgraded from a 4M to a 5M. Radiologists(diagnostic and therapeutic) can upgrade to a 5M by satisfying the new "5 years experience in occupation" move-up option.

Several other occupations can now move-up in occupational class because of this new option:
Biologist 5 to 6
Consultant 4 to 5
Psychologist, PhD 5M to 6M
Landscape Architect 4 to 5
Chemist 3 to 4

Guardian Increases Federal Employee Disability Insurance Amounts

We are very happy to announce that Guardian will now offer substantially higher monthly benefit amounts for Federal Employees. Employees covered under the Federal Employee Retirement System (FERS) may be entitled to additional disability insurance coverage based on recent increases in Berkshire's federal employee issue limit. They will now be eligible for coverage under the normal Issue and Participation limits.

Guardian and Berkshire used to limit the maximum monthly benefit for disability insurance for Federal Employees to $2,000, and with very few optional riders. Federal Employees can now purchase the same optional riders as everybody else in the private sector (residual, FIO, COLA, CAT, etc...) Berkshire now can offer a combination of two DI policies that supplement existing FERS benefits.

The first policy is available with a 90-day elimination period and the second has a 360-day elimination period to coincide with the end of the FERS short-term disability benefits. They will also benefit from increased issue limits which make Guardian and Berkshire one of the most competitive in the industry.

Give our office a call today to find out just how much disability insurance coverage your client can obtain even if they are a Federal Employee. We can be reached toll free at 888-513-2300.

Bahamas Summer DI & LTC Sales Contest

Guardian Disability Insurance Brokerage has run a Summer sales contest for several years now to The Bahamas. This year is no different, and the contest is well underway. As an insurance agent working with our agency for your Guardian disability insurance, and LTC you stand a chance this Summer of winning a nice vacation to The Atlantis hotel and casino in the Bahamas.

All you have to do in order to have a chance at winning is finish in the top 20 in total production this Summer with our agency. This is not a nationwide contest, our agency puts this contest on every year by ourselves. The higher up the list of 20 you finish, the more names in a hat you will receive for the final drawing. First place gets 20 names in the hat, and 20th place gets one name in the hat.

One of the best parts to this sales contest is that you can track your standings on-line in real-time at Guardian Disability Insurance Summer Sales Contest. You must be logged into the website to see the current standings, otherwise you will just see the rules to the contest. When you log-in you will see the top 20 standings in real time, and know where you stand.

Good Luck, and let us know how we can help you increase your disability insurance and LTC sales.

Berkshire Life's New President

Gordon G. Dinsmore Jr. has joined Guardian as the leader for Berkshire Life Insurance Company of America, bringing 34 years of industry experience to the position. Pending Board approval, which is expected in July, he will be appointed President of Berkshire, succeeding Joan Bancroft.

Gordon comes to Guardian from MetLife, Inc., where he has worked as Vice President and Senior Actuary since 1999. He previously served as Executive Vice President at Swiss Re America and Chief Actuary at Equitable Life & Casualty Insurance Company. He is a graduate of Brown University with a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics.

Business Overhead Expense Issue Limits Raised to $50,000

Effective May 15, 2009, issue limits for Overhead Expense coverage are increasing from a $30K maximum monthly benefit to:
$50K maximum monthly benefit for the 12-month benefit period
$40K for the 18-month benefit period
The limit remains at $30K for the 24-month benefit period.

These new limits are available in all states.

Our Overhead Expense policy provides powerful coverage for business expenses. When combined with Guardian’s unique Business Reducing Term disability insurance, the combined maximum issue limit is up to $55,000 per month.

2010 DI Inner Circle Requirements & Benefits

Berkshire Life has just published the requirements for membership in the 2010 DI Inner Circle based on production in 2009. This year Berkshire has introduced a new Platinum category for the very top DI agents nationwide with some additional benefits. The following two brochures outline the requirements and benefits of membership, not the least of which is an invitation to the Berkshire Sales Summit at the Ritz Carlton in the Florida Keys.

2010 DI Inner Circle Requirements and Benefits

Platinum DI Inner Circle Requirements & Benefits

You must be logged into our web site to view the documents.

NAHU Magazine Article on Supplemental Disability Insurance

We just wanted to point out a recent article written by Steve Crawford in the April 2009 issue of NAHU's Health Insurance Underwriter.

The article is a simple blueprint for supplemental disability insurance sales that agents can follow. We believe that when clients understand exactly how much money they would have to live on from a group LTD policy during a claim, they will more than likely want to buy a supplemental disability insurance policy from you.

The article focuses on 4 questions to ask your clients on the subject, and what information you need to have in order to properly protect your client's income during a disability.

You'll have to page through the on-line magazine from HIU to read it, we hope you enjoy it.