Dear Scheme Member,
Following renewal of the group insurance scheme with our insurance partners, George Burrows, we would like to bring to your attention some important changes for subscribing serving officers that will take effect from 1 April 2018.
Group Insurance Package - Serving Officers
We are pleased to advise you of the following enhancements:
In acknowledgment of the recent increases in state pension age, where cover currently reduces at age 65, insurers have now agreed to extend full cover to serving officers up to age 70.
Personal Accident: Firearm Assault benefit increased from £1,500 to £2,500.
Stabbing Assault benefit increased from £750 to £1,500.
Legal Expenses: Upper limit in respect of Disciplinary Hearings doubled from £10,000 to £20,000.
Employment cover limit capped at £25,000.
Travel Insurance: New - ‘Car Hire Excess Waiver cover’: insurers will pay up to £1,000 for any monetary excess in respect of loss or damage to a rental vehicle whilst on holiday.
New - Cover extended to include members resident in the EU.
In addition:
Sickness benefit (Regulation 28)
The Federation have decided to close the stand alone Sickness Benefit scheme and include Sickness Benefit for all officers who subscribe to the package.
Should you be placed on reduced pay due to ill health the scheme will pay 20% of your gross salary on a monthly basis for a period of 6 months (26 weeks) or until you return to work.
The final premium of £4.21 from officers who subscribed for this benefit separately will be taken from their March 2018 salary.
Critical Illness scheme
Cover has been extended to include two new conditions:-
Benign Spinal Cord Tumours
Systemic Lupus Erythematous (SLE)
There are now 41 conditions insured under this scheme.
Premiums*
We always try to avoid premium increases however due to very high usage and poor claims experience since last renewal, it has been necessary to increase the premiums for all members as detailed below:
| Category / scheme | Current Premium | From 1 April 2018 |
|---|---|---|
| Package scheme: | ||
| Serving Officer | £17.58 | £23.58 |
| Partner | £9.20 | £10.75 |
| Critical Illness scheme: | ||
| Serving Officer | £2.82 | £3.78 |
| Partner | £2.68 | £3.62 |
| Sickness scheme: | ||
| Serving officer | £4.21 | Closed |
*The premiums include Insurance Premium Tax (IPT) and the Federation’s administration fees
As your premium is payable by payroll deduction, the monthly amount will be automatically adjusted by your Payroll department.
The scheme still represents excellent value for members and the new booklet, outlining the cover included in the scheme, is now available to view/download from the Federation website.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your continued support of the Federation and if you have any queries, or would like to revisit your beneficiary details, please do not hesitate contact us:
Email: info@staffordshire.polfed.org
Tel: 01785 242215
On behalf of Staffordshire Police Federation
Full details of the cover included in the group insurance scheme can be found in the policy wordings which are available from the Staffordshire Police Federation and should be read carefully, in particular the limitations, exclusions and terms and conditions.
George Burrows is a trading name of Arthur J Gallagher Insurance Brokers Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered Office: Spectrum Building, 7th Floor, 55 Blythswood Street, Glasgow, G2 7AT. Registered in Scotland. Company Number: SC108909 www.ajginternational.com George Burrows FCA registration number is 312030.
