Group Office Overhead Expense Insurance

Group Office Overhead Expense Insurance  

OVERVIEW

Helps You Maintain Your Practice While You Are Disabled

Office expenses need to be met, even if you aren’t around to pay them. The AAJ Group Overhead Expense Insurance Plan can help you keep your practice running by providing financial coverage for your normal operating expenses while you are recovering from a disability. You will be able to take the time needed to recuperate while finding comfort in knowing that your office and staff will be ready and waiting for your return.

Apply

  1. Click on and print the applicable application located to the right.
  2. Be sure to read the information in this brochure carefully. Choose the Monthly Benefit you wish to request.
  3. Complete, sign and date the application. It is extremely important that you answer fully the questions about medical history on this form. New York Life Insurance Company will rely upon your answers, and failure to provide complete and truthful information may invalidate coverage. 
    If you choose the Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) Option, be sure to include a voided check, as applicable, in addition to the check for the first payment due. 
  4. Mail the Application together with your check made payable to: 

    Administrator

    AAJ Group Insurance Program
    PO Box 14533
    Des Moines, IA 50306


    Residents Of Puerto Rico:

    Please send your completed application and check for the initial premium to: 
    Global Insurance Agency, Inc. 
    P.O. Box 9023918 
    San Juan, PR 00902-3918


Medical Requirements

New York Life Insurance Company reserves the right to request medical information needed to determine an applicant’s eligibility for coverage. Based upon the age of the person proposed for insurance and the amount of coverage requested, a physical exam, EKG, blood test or other medical information may be required.


Not all applicants will have to supply additional information. However, if required, we will arrange for an independent professional paramedic to contact you to perform these simple tests at your convenience. The exam and blood test will be free of charge.


Requests for insurance will be processed promptly and coverage will be issued for members whose evidence of insurability has been found to be satisfactory.


How To File A Claim

To file a claim, call or write the Administrator for claim forms.

Insurance Application And Brochure

These form(s) are in Adobe Acrobat Reader (PDF) format and are available for downloading and printing.

Tell Me More

Eligibility

If you are an AAJ member, under age 65 and at FULL–TIME WORK, you may apply for the Group Office Overhead Expense Insurance Plan. (Persons in active military duty are excluded).
 

“FULL–TIME WORK” means actively performing the regular duties of your normal occupation for pay or profit on the basis of at least 30 hours each week at the place such duties are normally performed.
 

This offer is available only to residents of the United States (excluding AK, DE, FL, LA, ME, MD, MO, MT, NC, NH, NV, OH, OR, SD, TX, UT, VT, WA, WY and territories) and Puerto Rico. This coverage is not available to residents of Canada.
 

How The Coverage Works

This Policy pays you benefits if you become “Totally Disabled”: as the result of a covered injury or illness, you are not able to perform the substantial duties necessary to perform your occupation; and you are receiving regular care by a licensed Physician, which is appropriate for the condition causing the disability.


Your occupation means the occupation (or occupations, if more than one) in which you are regularly engaged at the time you become disabled. If your occupation is limited to a recognized specialty within the scope of your degree or license, we will deem your specialty to be your occupation.


You will also be considered Totally Disabled if a covered injury or illness results in the total and permanent loss of one of the following: sight of both eyes; hearing in both ears; speech, or; controlled movement in two limbs. (“Limb” is defined as a hand or foot.)

 

Choice of Monthly Benefit

You may apply for a Monthly Benefit of $500 to $7,500 per month (in $100 increments). However, the actual monthly benefit payable may not exceed your average monthly business overhead expenses for the six months preceding disability, nor may they exceed the actual business overhead expenses you incur for each month of disability. To help find the amount that’s appropriate, check your records for your actual expenses and calculate your average monthly expenses for the past six months. In the event of multiple use of facilities and employee services, partnership or professional corporation, figure your proportional share of such expenses.


For some benefit amounts requested, a financial questionnaire may be required as evidence of insurability.
 

Waiting Periods

A waiting period is the number of consecutive days you must be Totally Disabled before benefits can begin. This coverage has a 30-day waiting period.
 

Benefits Payable Up to Two Years

A Benefit Period is the duration of how long monthly benefits will be paid after you have satisfied your chosen waiting period.
 

Benefits are payable for up to 24 months for each accident or sickness disability beginning prior to age 65 (12 months for disabilities beginning age 65 and over.

 

Eligible Overhead Expenses

This Policy provides coverage for the normal operating expenses of your current practice which are incurred while you are Totally Disabled. Eligible Overhead Expenses include, but are not limited to:

  • Office rent
  • Interest payments on outstanding business debts
  • Utilities (heat, water, telephone, electricity, etc.)
  • Employees’ salaries and payroll taxes
  • Postage and stationery
  • Equipment maintenance
  • Rental or lease of office equipment
  • Monthly average of taxes on the premises
  • Insurance premiums
  • Accounting fees, to the extent that such expenses are normal and customary in the conduct and operations of the business
  • Professional membership and /or subscription dues
  • Such other fixed expenses as are normal and customary in the conduct and operation of your office


If you’re incorporated, a partner or joint tenant, Eligible Overhead Expenses include only your share of overhead expenses.


Eligible Overhead Expenses do not include: the salary, fees, drawing accounts, repayment of business loan principal, profits, personal expenses, charitable contributions or other remuneration to you or your partners, or their replacement; or any individual hired after the date your disability begins (except your temporary replacement); income taxes; payment on the principal of any debt; the cost, depreciation, or maintenance of any office equipment, furniture, fixtures, business equipment lease, instruments, cost of goods or merchandise, or pharmaceutical products pertaining to your profession or occupation; or any expense you would not reasonably be expected to incur while you are disabled.
 

YOUR COST

Cost is based on the Monthly Benefit and your age when coverage becomes effective.
 

Cost increases on the premium due date on or immediately after you reach a higher age bracket.
 

Current 2024 Semi–Annual Premium Rates Per $100 Monthly Benefit+
 

30–Day Waiting Period
Age  
Under age 40 $3.00
40-49 5.70
50-59 11.70
60-64 18.50
65-69* 20.00

 

+Minimum coverage is $500.

*Premiums at age 65 and over are for renewal purposes only.

 

The insurance company reserves the right to change premiums only on a classwide basis.

 

Premiums are based on the member's age on the effective date of insurance. Premiums increase on the policy anniversary date coinciding with or next following themember's reaching a higher age bracket. The insurance company reserves the right to change premiums only on a classwide basis. Premiums at age 65 or over are for renewal purposes only.

 

If applicable, an additional $2 billing fee will be included on your billing notice payable to the administrator. To avoid the fee, select Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) as a safe and secure payment option.

 

When Coverage Ends

Insurance can remain in force until you reach age 70, provided: you do not cease FULL–TIME WORK (other than for reason of disability); you continue to reside in the U.S. or Canada; AAJ membership is maintained; premium contributions are paid when due; active duty in the armed forces (except for training purposes of two months or less) is not begun; and the group policy is not terminated or modified by the policyholder or New York Life Insurance Company to end insurance for the group of insureds to which you belong.


Your Effective Date

Insurance will take effect on the date specified by New York Life Insurance Company, provided the initial contribution has been paid and you are at FULL–TIME WORK on that date. If you are not at FULL–TIME WORK as required, and maintaining a BUSINESS OFFICE FACILITY coverage will not become effective until the day you are at FULL–TIME WORK, provided such date is within three months of the date insurance would have become effective and you are still eligible for coverage.

Payment of a premium contribution for insurance does not mean that there is any coverage in force before the effective date as specified by New York Life Insurance Company.
 

There are instances where New York Life Insurance Company may be able to offer insurance (at the same premium contribution) by eliminating coverage for specific impairments or diseases.
 

FEATURES

Waiver Of Premium Contributions

If you have been Totally Disabled for six consecutive months, premium contributions due thereafter will be waived for as long as benefits are payable for that Total Disability, provided the disability began before age 60.

 

Death Benefits

If you should die while receiving benefits, the claim payments will continue up to three months if your practice continues to incur costs. Benefits will terminate only if the practice is sold or the maximum benefit period expires..


Exclusions And Limitations

This Coverage does not provide benefits for any disability that occurs during or is due or related to: intentionally self–inflicted injury while sane or insane, (Missouri residents: the exclusion for intentionally self-inflicted injury is not applicable to injury caused by an attempted suicide while insane,) declared or undeclared war or any act thereof, military service, or incarceration for or participation in (except as a victim) an illegal occupation activity or the commission of a crime; Pre–Existing Condition (except as noted below); or any impairment or disease specifically excluded from your coverage.


No benefits are payable for any disability for which you are not under the regular care of a licensed physician or surgeon other than yourself, your business associate, or member of your immediate family or household.


The Policy limits benefits for disabilities due to alcoholic intoxication and drug use (unless prescribed by a physician other than yourself) to 12 months.


A Pre–Existing Condition is an injury or illness for which you consulted a physician, took medication, or received medical services or supplies during the immediate 12–month period prior to becoming insured under this coverage. Benefits are not payable for disability due to a Pre–Existing Condition until the end of the earlier of: 12 consecutive months during which you have not consulted a physician, took medication, or received medical services or supplies or: 24 months.


30–DAY FREE LOOK

When you become insured, you will be sent a Certificate of Insurance, summarizing your coverage. This website is only a brief description of some of the principal provisions and features. The complete terms are set forth in the group policy issued by New York Life Insurance Company to the American Association for Justice.


If you’re not completely satisfied with the terms of your Certificate of Insurance, you may return it, without claim, within 30 days. Your coverage will be invalidated, and you will be sent a full refund, no questions asked!

 

What your Participation Means to AAJ

By participating in the AAJ Group Insurance Program, you can help to support AAJ activities. When the AAJ Group Insurance was established in 1975, its purpose was to provide insurance for our members and create a source of funds to support the charitable, research, and educational activities that are so important to our profession.


The members who have participated in the Program have received excellent group insurance protection and have enabled to support important charitable, research.

 

Underwritten by New York Life Insurance Company, 51 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10010 under Group Policy No. G–30704–0 on Policy Form GPA-DI-FMU/G-30704-0.


The AAJ Insurance incurs costs in connection with this sponsored program. To provide and maintain this valuable membership, it is reimbursed for these costs. AAJ also receives a fee for this license of its name and logo for use in connection with this coverage.

  • IMPORTANT NOTICE

    How New York Life Insurance Company Obtains Information and Underwrites Your Request for Group Disability Income Insurance.


    In this notice, references to "you" and "your" include any person proposed for insurance. Information regarding insurability will be treated as confidential. In considering whether the person(s) in your request for insurance qualifies for insurance, we will rely on the medical information you provide, and on the information you AUTHORIZE us to obtain from your physician, other medical practitioners and facilities, other insurance companies to which you have applied for insurance and MIB, LLC ("MIB"). MIB is a not-for-profit organization of insurance companies, which operates an information exchange on behalf of its members. If you apply for life or health insurance coverage or a claim for benefits is submitted to an MIB member company, medical or non medical information may be given to MIB and such information may then be furnished by MIB, upon request, to a member company.


    Your AUTHORIZATION may be used for a period of 24 months from the date you signed the application for insurance, unless sooner revoked. The AUTHORIZATION may be revoked at any time by notifying New York Life in writing at the address provided. Your revocation will not be effective to the extent New York Life or any other person already has disclosed or collected information or taken other action in reliance on it, or to the extent that New York Life has a legal right to contest a claim under an insurance certificate or the certificate itself. The information New York Life obtains through your AUTHORIZATION may become subject to further disclosure. For example, New York Life may be required to provide it to insurance, regulatory or other government agencies. In this case, the information may no longer be protected by the rules governing your AUTHORIZATION.


    MIB and other insurance companies may also furnish New York Life, its subsidiaries or the Plan Administrator with non-medical information (such as driving records, past convictions, hazardous sport or aviation activity, use of alcohol or drugs, and other application for insurance). The information provided may include information that may predate the time frame stated on the medical questions section, if any, on this application. This information may be used during the underwriting and claims processes, where permitted by law.


    New York Life may release this information to the Plan Administrator, other insurance companies to which you may apply for life and health insurance, or to which a claim for benefits may be submitted and to others whom you authorize in writing. However, this will not be done in connection with test results containing Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) or Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). We may also make a brief report of your protected health information to MIB, but will not disclose our underwriting decision.


    New York Life will not disclose such information to anyone except those you authorize or where required or permitted by law. Information in our files may be seen by New York Life and Plan Administrator employees, but only on a "need to know" basis in considering your request. Upon receipt of all requested information, we will make a determination as to whether your request for insurance can be approved.


    If we cannot provide the coverage you requested, we will tell you why. If you feel our information is inaccurate, you will be given a chance to correct or complete the information in our files. Upon written request to New York Life Insurance or MIB, you will be provided with non-medical information. Generally, medical information will be given either directly to the proposed insured or to a medical professional designated by the proposed insured. Your request is handled in accordance with the Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act procedures. If you question the accuracy of the information provided by MIB, you may contact MIB and seek a correction. MIB’s information office is MIB, LLC 50 Braintree Hill Park, Suite 400, Braintree, MA 02184-8734, telephone 1-866-692-6901 (TTY 1-866-346-3642).


    For NM residents: 
    PROTECTED PERSONS1 have a right of access to certain CONFIDENTIAL ABUSE INFORMATION2 we maintain in our files and they may choose to receive such information directly. You have the right to register as a PROTECTED PERSON by sending a signed request to the Administrator at the address listed on the application. Please include your full name, date of birth and address.


    1PROTECTED PERSON means a victim of domestic abuse: who has notified us that he/she is or has been a victim of domestic abuse; and who is an insured or prospective insured person.
     

    2CONFIDENTIAL ABUSE INFORMATION means information about: acts of domestic abuse or abuse status; the work or home address or telephone number of a victim of domestic abuse; or the status of an applicant or insured family member, employer or associate of a victim of domestic abuse or a person with whom the applicant or insured is known to have a direct, close, personal, family or abuse-related relationship.
     

    New York Life Insurance Company 8/12ed.
Contact Us

We're here to help! Please contact us in whatever manner is most convenient for you.

Administered by:

Address
Customer Service
AMBA
PO Box 14533
Des Moines, IA 50306
Phone
1-800-482-2852
Email
[email protected]

 

Underwritten by:

 Address
New York Life Insurance Company
51 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10010

FAQs

Answers about this coverage, including eligibility, options, enrollment, customer service and more.
  • What is the definition of "Totally Disabled"?

    This Policy pays you benefits if you become “Totally Disabled”: As the result of a covered injury or illness, you are not able to perform the substantial and material duties of your occupation: and you are receiving regular care by a licensed Physician, which is appropriate for the condition causing the disability.

  • What additional information do I have to provide to meet the medical requirements?

    Not all applicants will have to supply additional information. However, if required, we will arrange for an independent professional paramedic to contact you to perform these simple tests at your convenience. The exam and blood test will be free of charge.

  • When is my effective date?

    Insurance will take effect on the date specified by New York Life Insurance Company, provided the initial contribution has been paid and you are at FULL-TIME WORK (as defined in Tell Me More) on that date.

  • When does my coverage end?

    Insurance can remain in force until you reach age 70, provided: you do not cease FULL-TIME WORK (other than for reason of disability); you no longer reside in the U.S. or Canada; AAJ membership is maintained; premium contributions are paid when due; active duty in the armed forces (except for training purposes of two months or less) is not begun; and the group policy is not terminated or modified by the policyholder or New York Life Insurance Company to end insurance for the group of insureds to which you belong. 

  • By whom is this policy underwritten?

    This policy is underwritten by New York Life Insurance Company, 51 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10010 under Group Policy No. G-30704-0 on GPA-DI-FMU/G-30704-0.

     

    New York Life is licensed/authorized to transact business in all of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. However, not all group policies it underwrites are available in all jurisdictions. Please check the applicable insurance brochures for current availability.

     

    New York Life’s state of domicile is New York, and NAIC ID # is 66915.

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