Don't delay! Most insurance companies require that you enroll within 30 days of your contract start date. The insurance descriptions and tools below should help you decide what your insurance needs are.

INSURANCE DECISION TOOLS:

OTHER INSURANCE DECISIONS:

Benefits vary from district to district. It is critical that you take the time to become familiar with what is offered in your school district. Most insurances require that you enroll within 30 days of employment. If you do not, you may be subject to pre-existing limitations, waiting periods, and proof of good health. You may be denied coverage.

Health - Health Insurance Checklist
Health insurance is protection against the high cost of medical care. The cost of medical care has skyrocketed in the past few years. Think about whether or not you could afford the cost of medical treatment if you suffered a major injury or had a life-threatening illness. Enrolling in your health insurance plan may be one of the most important things that you do to protect your financial assets. Enrolling within 30 days of hire is CRITICAL. Late enrollees can be subject to pre-existing limitations, waiting periods, and proof of good health. You may be denied coverage.

If you have coverage through another plan, it is important to think about your personal situation, your personal preferences and compare the plans to determine whether enrolling in your school district's health insurance plan is best for you.

Long-term Disability - Long Term Disability Checklist
Long term disability (LTD) insurance is intended for those who are unable to earn an income because of an illness or injury. While health insurance should cover most or all of your medical costs, it does not replace lost income. LTD insurance replaces a percentage of your income when you are deemed eligible because you are unable to work due to a disability.

Short-term Disability: - Short Term Disability Checklist
Short Term Disability (STD) insurance provides you with income during short periods of time when you are unable to work. This is a voluntary plan - that is, you are not automatically enrolled by your school district. You have to decide whether you need this coverage, and how much coverage you will need.

STD policies coordinate with your district's negotiated Long Term Disability policy. The maximum benefit period matches the elimination period for your district's LTD policy, which in most cases is two or three months, but can be up to one year. The benefit payable cannot exceed two-thirds of your weekly rate of pay.

Long Term Care - Long Term Care Checklist
Long term care refers to a broad range of services that you might need if illness or injury leaves you unable to do everyday things like eating, bathing, or dressing. In these situations, you would need daily assistance. Long Term Care Insurance helps pay for your care so that you don't have to deplete your savings or retirement fund.

Life - Life Checklist
Life insurance provides monetary benefits in the event that you die. Your beneficiaries (your spouse, children, parents, siblings - anyone you designate) are the recipients of those benefits).

Dental - Dental Checklist
Dental insurance provides insurance for treatment of your teeth and gums.

Section 125 Cafeteria Plans:
A plan sponsored by the district allowing employees the choice of receiving cash (salary) or benefits. Your district may offer one or more of the following accounts:

Premium Conversion Flexible Spending Account: If you pay a portion of your health and dental plan premiums, you may direct the district to pay your premiums from your paycheck pre-tax.

Unreimbursed Medical Expenses Flexible Spending Account: You can direct your district to deduct an amount you select per check from your salary, pre-tax, to pay for medical expenses tax free. These expenses may include eyeglasses, contact lenses, health plan deductibles, co-payments, orthodontics, etc.

Dependent Care Expenses Flexible Spending Account: You can direct the district to deduct a selected amount from each paycheck, pre-tax, and pay for dependent care expenses tax free.

Auto - More information

Auto insurance protects you against financial loss from liability and vehicle damage associated with a severe accident. It is important to understand what you are buying in order to strike the right balance between coverage and price. The WEA Member Benefit Trust offers an auto policy designed exclusively for WEAC members that provides extra advantages including competitive rates, flexible payment plans, around-the-clock claim service, and exceptional policy service.

Check out WEA Trust's Quick Quote

Home Insurance - More information

Home insurance protects the financial investment you have in your home and personal belongings. It is important to review your living situation to determine appropriate protection against losses to your home and possessions, and the risk of personal liability. Whether you rent or own a house, condominium, or apartment, WEA Member Benefit Trust has a program to fit your needs.

Check out WEA Trust's Quick Quote

Personal Umbrella Policy - More information

A personal umbrella policy provides you with liability protection in excess of your existing auto and home insurance policies. You can purchase $1 million or more of additional liability coverage to protect yourself from catastrophic events that might result in liability to others for their claims against your assets. For more information on a personal umbrella policy, please call (800) 279-4010.