AFL AFLAC Inc

COLUMBUS, Ga., Aug. 17, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Aflac, the leading provider of voluntary insurance at the work site in the United States, announced today that it has introduced a new and improved accident product – Aflac Accident Advantage. The new supplemental accident insurance policy offers more flexibility for individual policyholders to choose different levels of coverage as well as several industry-leading and enhanced benefits to help further protect consumers from high out-of-pocket costs related to accidents and injuries.

"Aflac is excited to continue leading the accident industry by introducing some of the new benefits available with our Accident Advantage policy to better meet the widespread needs of families across America today," said Keith Pellerin, vice president of Product Management and Innovation at Aflac.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, there are more than 80 million injury-related visits to doctors' offices, hospital outpatient departments and emergency-treatment facilities in the U.S. each year.¹ The National Safety Council indicates that the average medical expense for an accidental injury is $5,500.² Yet, the reality is that 52 percent of American workers have less than $1,000 on hand to pay out-of-pocket expenses associated with unexpected serious illnesses or accidents, and 28 percent have less than $500 available.³ To help cover this gap, supplemental insurance policies like Aflac's Accident Advantage can provide cash benefits that can be used to help pay deductibles, copayments and everyday living expenses, including rent or mortgage, utilities, child care or credit card debt. 

"With so many accidents taking place every year, it's no surprise that Aflac processed more than one million accident claims last year," added Pellerin. "We understand how important it is to design an accident product that gives our policyholders confidence that an unforeseen accident will not damage their financial stability."

Aflac Accident Advantage's key features

Never before offered benefits under the new policy include:

• An additional benefit specifically designed to cover injuries sustained while participating in an organized sporting activity.
• A new Home Modification Benefit, Waiver of Premium Benefit and Family Support Benefit.
• A new Prosthesis Repair and Replacement Benefit.
• Speech and occupational therapy are now covered in addition to physical therapy under the Therapy Benefit.

Upgrades to benefits offered in previous Aflac accident policies include:

• More flexibility, with four options of coverage for injuries such as fractures, dislocations, lacerations, concussions, burns, emergency dental work, eye injuries and surgical procedures.
• No waiting period for the Wellness Benefit, which pays policyholders for routine medical exams and immunizations. The Wellness Benefit is now payable every calendar year.
• An enhanced Accident Treatment benefit that includes different levels of benefits according to whether X-rays are ordered during an emergency room visit or at another location such as a doctor's office. Plus, coverage for care has expanded to include physician's assistants or nurse practitioners.

Ask about it at work

As a new school year, new sports activities and a new open enrollment season all approach, it's the perfect time for individuals and parents alike to look at what insurance is offered by their employers and ensure they have the right coverage in place to support their family's current quality of life if an accident were to occur. Now is the time for employees to talk to their employer or human resources representative about benefits they would like to learn more about or have available such as Aflac.

One Day Pay^℠ available for new policy

In addition to the benefits improvements, policyholders also have the opportunity to take advantage of Aflac's One Day Pay^℠ promise if they submit an Accident Advantage claim online via SmartClaim by 3 p.m. ET, Monday-Friday. Life happens fast, and if an accidental injury happens, Aflac policyholders can have peace of mind knowing that Aflac will be there with a payment just as fast.

To learn more about Aflac Accident Insurance, watch the "What is Aflac Accident Insurance?" video, visit aflac.com/accident or follow @aflac on Twitter.

About Aflac

When a policyholder gets sick or hurt, Aflac pays cash benefits fast. For six decades, Aflac insurance policies have given policyholders the opportunity to focus on recovery, not financial stress. In the United States, Aflac is the leading provider of voluntary insurance at the work site. Through its trailblazing One Day Pay^SM initiative, Aflac U.S. can receive, process, approve and disburse payment for eligible claims in one business day. In Japan, Aflac is a leading provider of medical and cancer insurance and insures 1 in 4 households. Aflac individual and group insurance products help provide protection to more than 50 million people worldwide. For nine consecutive years, Aflac has been recognized by Ethisphere magazine as one of the World's Most Ethical Companies. In 2015, Fortune magazine recognized Aflac as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in America for the 17^th consecutive year. Also, in 2015, Fortune magazine included Aflac on its list of Most Admired Companies for the 14th time, ranking the company No. 1 in innovation for the insurance, life and health category. Aflac Incorporated is a Fortune 500 company listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol AFL. To find out more about Aflac and One Day Pay^SM, visit aflac.com or espanol.aflac.com.

Media contact – Kip Havel, 706.243.5543 or mediarelations@aflac.com

¹ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, FastStats, accessed July 31, 2015 - http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/injury.htm

² Injury Facts, 2014 Edition, National Safety Council

³ 2015 Aflac WorkForces Report, accessed July 17, 2015 - http://workforces.aflac.com/detailed-findings.php?section=geographic-findings&sub=&page=national

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SOURCE Aflac