Does my Life Insurance Cover COVID-19?

Common Questions During COVID-19: For Members

Does My WAEPA Group Term Life Insurance Policy Cover Death Caused by COVID-19 or a Pandemic?

Your WAEPA Group Term Life Insurance policy does not include exclusions related to death from COVID-19 or a pandemic overall. So long as your original application did not include any material misrepresentations, a death caused by a pandemic such as COVID-19 would be covered.

Does the Two-Year Contestability Period Impact Whether I’m Covered from Death by COVID-19?

The two-year contestability period does not mean this policy won’t pay claims within the first two years of being covered. If you answered application questions honestly, you would have very little reason to be concerned about a COVID-19-related claim placed within that two-year period.

Will COVID-19 Impact the Ability to Pay Claims Going Forward?

This coverage is underwritten by New York Life Insurance Company, which earns the highest financial strength ratings currently awarded to any life insurer by all four major rating agencies:  A.M. Best (A++), Fitch Ratings (AAA), Moody’s Investors Service (Aaa) and Standard & Poor’s (AA+) *.  – Third-Party Rating Reports 9/12/19

Can I Apply for Coverage if I Have Recently Traveled to Affected Regions?

Underwriting guidelines as a result of COVID-19 are evolving as new research continues to become available. For those applying for life insurance from WAEPA for the first time, some questions in the application or underwriting process may include references to international travel and current health status, so that we can best serve you throughout the underwriting process. If you have specific questions about underwriting during this pandemic, please contact our Member Services team at (800) 368-3484, Monday-Thursday: 8:30 AM – 6:30 PM ET Friday: 8:30 AM – 5 PM ET.

Is WAEPA Still Accepting Applications for Guaranteed Group Term Life Insurance?

If you are a Civilian Federal Employee within your first 365 days of Federal Employment, a United States Citizen, and under 70 years of age, yes, you may still apply for up to $100,000 in Guaranteed Issue Group Term Life Insurance coverage.

Are You Still Performing Life Insurance Medical Exams?

We are actively monitoring COVID-19, and may make appropriate adjustments as the situation evolves. Currently, applicants are still able to schedule the medical exam to be performed at a location of their choosing, including sometimes in the comfort of your own home. The medical underwriting service this program uses, ExamOne, has safety procedures in place to help protect those we serve from being infected. Prior to scheduling, ExamOne is now proactively asking applicants about fever or respiratory illnesses as well as recent travel to ensure the health of its examiners. If an applicant is currently experiencing an illness or was recently in a State Department Level 3 or 4 country, the medical exam will be postponed for 14 days.

If I Don’t Feel Comfortable Taking a Medical Exam at This Time, Can I Take It at a Later Date?

If you have to undergo medical underwriting, in general, applicants have up to 90 days to do so. If your application is nearing the end of that time period and you’re still unsure whether you’re ready to undergo the exam, please contact our Member Services team for more information. We may be able to work with you to accommodate a later exam, or ask you to reapply when you are ready.