Associate Membership - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)




Who is eligible for associate member status?

Spouses, domestic partners, and family of current WAEPA members are eligible for associate membership. Family of WAEPA members are defined as parents, parents-in-law, non-dependent adult children and stepchildren of WAEPA members.   (Domestic Partner coverage is not available in Virginia)
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Are the premiums or coverage levels different for members and associate members?

No. Premiums and coverage benefits are identical.
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Can a spouse be covered as both a dependent and as an associate member?

No.
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What happens to my current dependent coverage?

As soon as your spouse's coverage is approved we will automatically cancel the spousal dependent coverage. However, coverage on your dependent children will remain in effect. (Please remember that one premium covers your spouse AND all dependent children. Therefore, there will be no reduction in premium for your dependent coverage, even if your spouse is no longer insured.)
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Can dependent children be covered by both the member and associate member?

No. Only the member OR associate member may cover dependent children.
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Can spouses of former WAEPA members apply for associate membership?

Yes!
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What if I terminate my insurance coverage? Will my spouse or family member (the associate member) remain insured?

Absolutely. Once your spouse or family member becomes an associate member, his or her coverage cannot be cancelled even if you leave the Association.
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Is Dependent Coverage the same as Associate Membership

No. WAEPA gives you two ways to provide life insurance protection to your family:
  1. As Dependents - Cover your spouse, domestic partner and children under your own policy. Coverage levels go up to $250,000.


  2. As Associate WAEPA Members - Enable your spouse, domestic partner*, non-dependent adult children, a parent, or parent-in-law, to purchase their own WAEPA insurance. Coverage levels go up to $750,000.

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Would my spouse get better insurance by joining WAEPA?

In almost all cases, WAEPA rates are significantly less than FEGLI rates.

Please view our WAEPA vs. FEGLI  Rate Comparison page.



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Why did WAEPA create the associate member category?

There are limits on the amount of insurance we can offer spouses under our dependent group life program. Many of our members have indicated that their spouses need higher levels of insurance coverage. Also, the Associate Member category provides additional coverage to family of WAEPA members.
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My married adult child is looking for life insurance as an Associate Member through my membership in WAEPA. Would her/his spouse also be eligible to get WAEPA life insurance?

In order for the spouse to gain coverage, the WAEPA Member's child would need to be covered first. The spouse would apply for Associate Member, as spouse of the WAEPA Member's child and not as a daughter or son-in-law.


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My spouse is a federal, civilian employee. Am I eligible for insurance coverage through WAEPA, even if my spouse is not insured through WAEPA? If so, is there a dollar limit?

You can purchase coverage as an Associate Member, provided your spouse becomes a non-insured member of WAEPA (Membership Form). She/He does not have to purchase insurance, she/he simply has to complete a membership form and pay a one-time $2.00 membership fee.

WAEPA offers a maximum amount of $750,000 coverage, regardless if you are applying as a federal employee, retiree or as an Associate Member.

Please view our complete list of rates for all ages and amounts of coverage available.


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In the event of my spouse gaining Association Membership, what happens to my current dependent coverage?

No one, under WAEPA's plan, maybe double-covered. Once an Associate Membership is gained, for an existing Dependent, the Associate Membership coverage replaces the Dependent coverage.


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How do I file a claim?

To begin the claims process, WAEPA requires notification from a person (spouse, relative, friend, etc) that the insured has died. This can be done either by phone (1-800-368-3484) or email (waepa@waepa.org).

We require the member's name, certificate number, date of death, cause of death, notifier's name, phone number and the notifier's relationship to the member. Then we would mail a claim form to the beneficiary to be completed/notarized and returned to WAEPA, along with a certified copy of the decedent's death certificate.


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