General Questions about WAEPA
How is WAEPA rated for financial soundness? How long has WAEPA been in business? Is WAEPA connected to the U.S. government? May I keep my WAEPA group life insurance coverage if I leave government employment? What is group term life insurance?
General Questions about WAEPA (General Questions about Life Insurance)
WAEPA itself, as a nonprofit association, is not rated. Life Insurance Company of North America, the company that underwrites WAEPA's insurance program, is rated A (Excellent) by A.M. Best Company.
Formed in 1943, WAEPA celebrates its 65th year of business in 2008.
No. WAEPA is a non-profit association governed by a board of U.S. government employees who serve without compensation. The program is administered by a professional staff.
Yes. Once insured with WAEPA, there will be no change to your coverage due to a change in your employment status. Your coverage may continue until age 85.
Group term life insurance is one-year renewable term insurance. Coverage is issued by an insurance carrier (Life Insurance Company of North America) to a policyholder (WAEPA) for the purpose of insuring the policyholder's members. The economies of scale allow the insurance carrier to charge lower premiums to a group than it can charge to individuals.
As long as the premiums are paid on time, can WAEPA cancel the policy for any reason?
No. Other then non payment, the only other possible way for your coverage to be canceled is by either officially requesting termination or by reaching the age of 85; end of the coverage term.
Once initially accepted by the plan, can WAEPA at any time require a physical examination to either continue to the plan to keep current benefits?
Basically, no. As long as you maintain your premium payments and don't become terminated due to non payment, there would be no need for a new physical exam. The only other exception would be if you submit a completed application for more coverage then you already have with WAEPA.
How do I cancel my WAEPA policy?
We just need a signed and dated request, so that we have your authorization to terminate your coverage. Please include your Certificate number and specify that you wish to cancel your coverage outright. Upon completion you need to mail this to:
WAEPA
Membership Services
433 Park Avenue
Falls Church, VA 22046
What type of insurance does WAEPA offer? And for what period?
WAEPA coverage is "term" insurance. Our rates change in 5 year increments and the maximum amount of coverage available begins to reduce starting at age 60.
To view our complete ist of rates for all ages and amounts of coverage available, please CLICK HERE.
How do I tell if this is not a scam?
WAEPA was established in 1943 by civilian federal employees to provide affordable coverage for civilian federal employees and their families.
Our carrier, Life Insurance Company of North America (a part of CIGNA) has a A (excellent) rating with A.M. Best.
Are government contractors eligible to purchase life insurance from WAEPA?
Only civilian federal employees/retires and their families can purchase WAEPA coverage.
What is the maximum amount of coverage WAEPA offers?
You may apply for up to $750,000 of group life insurance for yourself and up to $250,000 of dependent group life insurance for your spouse.
Your website indicates that premiums are cheaper than the FEGLI. What happens after age 60? Are your rates higher? How does this work in conjunction with coverage reductions based upon age?
Our rates change in 5 year increments and the maximum amount of coverage available begins to reduce starting at age 60. To view our complete list of rates for all ages and amounts of coverage available:
Please view our WAEPA vs. FEGLI Rate Comparison page.
The rate comparisons vary drastically based on the options you have with FEGLI. The best way to compare is to enter your comparison information here. This will give you the tailor fit answer for your exact needs.
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.
Is there a "waiting period" for benefits to be payable?
There is no "waiting period" for benefits to be payable. If an insured dies within the first two years of coverage, the full benefit is paid, provided death is not a result of suicide or the application does not contain incorrect medical/health information (misstatements).