Most of us think nothing of insuring our cars, homes and other valuables. But many of us overlook our most valuable asset ... the one that makes all the others possible ... our income.

Of course, life insurance takes care of financial loss due to premature death. But what happens if you're sick or injured and can't work for several months or even years? It's tempting to say, "It won't happen to me."

What's more, even if you have a sick-pay plan at work, it may not pay benefits beyond a six-month period. Social security is one source of disability benefits, but before that thought makes you feel too secure, take note:

You may have to wait up to a year before Social Security makes a decision on your claim.

Now You Can Help Insure Your Income.

Thanks to your membership in an association participating in APSIT, you can have valuable long term income protection from New York Life.

This special economical program offers the kind of insurance experts often recommend, but a lot of people go without. When purchased individually, disability income insurance can be expensive, but the group buying power of APSIT Member Societies helps make this plan affordable.

This income protection plan was designed for members who do not have disability income coverage available through their employer or other sources — or to compliment their existing disability income insurance protection.

Eligibility

You are eligible to apply for coverage under this program provided you're a member of a participating association and under age 60 and working full time (at least 30 hours per week) at your primary occupation.

How The Plan Works

The plan provides benefits for a covered total disability that begins while insured. Once you have satisfied your waiting period the plan provides monthly benefits until the earlier of the day your total disability ceases or the end of the Benefit Period.

Monthly Benefit Amounts

You may request a monthly benefit amount from $400 to $5,000 per month in $100 increments. The monthly benefit amount you apply for under the APSIT Plan, when combined with all other disability income insurance you currently have, cannot exceed 60% of your gross monthly earned income.

Choice Of Waiting Period

You may select a 60-day or a 90-day waiting period. A waiting period is the number of consecutive days you must be totally disabled before your monthly benefits begin.

Benefit Period

Benefits for total disability beginning:

Prior To Age 60…
     Are payable up to Age 65;
At Age 60 Thru 69…
    Are payable up to 5 years, but not beyond Age 72

Annual Rates

The rates shown in the chart are based on the waiting period you select and your age at the time you apply.

As you enter a new age bracket, the rate will increase on the next premium due date after your birthday. Your rates will never increase due to a change in your health.

¹To calculate a semi-annual premium, divide your total amount of premium by two and add an administrative fee of 50 cents.
²Renewal rates only.

Rates shown are current and may be changed by New York Life on any premium due date and on any date on which benefits are changed. However, your rates may change only if they are changed for all others in the same class of insureds under the Group Policy. For example, a class of insureds is a group of people with the same age and gender. Future benefits are subject to change by agreement between New York Life and APSIT.

Total Disability Defined

During the waiting period and during the next 24 months, total disability means your incapacity due to illness or accident to perform the material and substantial duties of your own occupation. Throughout the disability you must also be under the care of a physician (other than yourself or a member of your immediate family) and not be working in any other occupation for pay or profit. Even if you return to work at another occupation or resume working in your own occupation on a part-time basis, you may still receive benefits if you have a loss of earnings. Refer to the Residual Disability Benefits section below for additional details.

After the waiting period and the following 24 months, you must be prevented from performing any occupation for which you are or may become qualified by reason of education, training or experience.

Benefits For Recurring Disabilities

Successive periods of disability due to the same or related cause, and not separated by a return to full-time work for at least six consecutive months, will be considered one period of disability, as will unrelated disabilities that are not separated by return to full-time work for at least one full day. Disabilities that meet these separation requirements will be treated as a new disability, subject to a new waiting period.

Residual Disability Benefits

Many disability income plans don't pay any benefits if you return to work, even on a part-time basis. But your APSIT plan is different.

If prior to age 65, you return to work following a covered total disability of at least 30 days and you suffer a reduction in earnings of at least 25% of your pre-disability average earnings, you may be eligible for residual disability benefits. Please see your Certificate of Insurance for detailed information.

Plus . . . Important Features You Want In A Plan

Waiver Of Premium

If you become totally disabled for 6 consecutive months, your insurance will continue without further premium payment for as long as you're collecting benefits.

Extension Of Benefits

Even if the group policy terminates while you're totally disabled, benefits will continue for the entire period of your disability. However, benefits will not be paid beyond the date the company would have stopped making payments if the insurance had remained in force.

Organ Transplant Benefit

This feature provides that if you donate an organ and your coverage has been in force for at least 6 months, disability benefits will be payable from the first day of the resulting total disability.

Vocational Rehabilitation Benefit

This feature provides approved candidates the benefit of a personalized vocational rehabilitation program for up to 24 months. These benefits are in addition to any monthly disability benefits that are payable.

30-Day Free Look

You'll have 30 days from your effective date of coverage to examine the plan and discuss it with your family and advisors. If you're not satisfied, return the certificate within 30 days for a full refund.

Exclusions And Limitations

Disability Exclusions

Benefits are not provided for disabilities which begin before an insured's effective date or for disabilities due to: air travel, unless flying solely as a passenger; war or military service; self-inflicted injuries (while sane or insane); committing or attempting to commit a felony; an illegal occupation or activity; any impairment or disease specifically excluded from an individual's coverage; or due to Pre-Existing Conditions (except as explained).

Missouri Residents: The exclusion for disabilities due to the self-inflicted injuries is not applicable to injuries caused by an attempted suicide while insane.

Limited Benefits For Mental And Nervous Disorders, Alcoholism & Drug Addiction: Disabilities due to mental or nervous disorders, alcoholism, chemical dependency or drug addiction will be subject to a two-year maximum benefit period.

Pre-Existing Conditions: Any illness or injury (diagnosed or undiagnosed), for which medical treatment or advice was received or recommended within the 12 months preceding the effective date of your insurance, is a pre-existing condition. Any period of disability, beginning within the first two years of coverage, that is due to a pre-existing condition will not be covered. This does not apply to disabilities beginning after you've been without medical care for the condition for 12 consecutive months, ending on or after your effective date of coverage.

Term Of Coverage

Your insurance will go into effect on the earliest of the 1st or the 15th of the month following the date your application is approved, providing you are actively at work on that day and your premium is paid in a timely manner.

Your coverage will continue as long as the group policy is in effect; your premiums are paid when due; you're employed full-time (except for covered disabilities); you remain under age 70; you do not enter the military service; and you're an active member of an association that participates in the APSIT. The group policy may be terminated by APSIT or New York Life.

Notice Of Insurance Information Practices
(Retain for your records)

Important Notice: How New York Life underwrites your request for coverage

Information regarding insurability will be treated as confidential. In considering whether the persons in your request for insurance qualify for coverage, we will rely on the medical information you provide, and on the information you authorize us to obtain from your doctor, other medical practitioners and facilities, other insurance companies to which you have applied for insurance and MIB, Inc. (Medical Information Bureau). New York Life will not disclose such information to anyone except those you authorize or where required or permitted by law. We may make a brief report to MIB; however, we will not disclose our underwriting decision. Information in our files may be seen by New York Life and Plan Administrator employees, but only on a "need to know" basis in considering your request. Upon receipt of all requested information, we will make a determination as to whether your request for insurance can be approved. MIB is a non-profit organization of life insurance companies which operates an information exchange on behalf of its members. When you apply for insurance or submit a claim for benefits to a MIB member company, medical or non-medical information may be given to the Bureau, which may then be furnished to member companies.

Upon written request to New York Life or MIB, you will be provided with non-medical information; medical information, however, will be given only to a physician you designate. (NOTE: In certain jurisdictions, you may choose to receive medical information directly.) If you question the accuracy of the information provided by MIB, you may contact the MIB and seek a correction.

If we cannot provide the coverage you request, we will tell you why. If you feel our information is inaccurate, you will be given a chance to correct or complete the information in our files. For U.S. residents, your request is handled in accordance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act procedures. MIB's information office is at P.O. Box 105, Essex Station, Boston, MA 02112, telephone (617) 426-3660. For Canadian residents, the address is 330 University Avenue, Suite 403, Toronto, Ontario Canada M5G 1R7, telephone (416) 587-0590.

If we can provide the coverage you requested, we will inform you as to when such coverage will be effective. Under no circumstances will coverage be effective prior to this date. Payment of a premium contribution with your application does not mean that there is any insurance in force before the effective date as determined by New York Life.

Important Notice For New Mexico Residents: In addition, protected persons³ have a right of access to certain confidential abuse information⁴ we maintain in our files and they may choose to receive such information directly. You have the right to register as a protected person by sending a signed request to the Plan Administrator at the address listed on the application. Please include your full name, date of birth, and current address.

³"Protected person" means a victim of domestic abuse who has notified us that he or she is, or has been, a victim of domestic abuse and who is an insured or is a prospective insured.

⁴"Confidential abuse information" means information about acts of domestic abuse or abuse status, the work or home address or telephone number of a victim of domestic abuse, or the identity of an applicant or insured who is a family member, employer, or associate of a victim of domestic abuse, or, a person with whom a victim is known to have a direct, close personal, family or abuse-related counseling relationship.

Here's How To Apply

1. Only eligible members may apply for coverage. Request application materials from the Plan Administrator at the following address:
   
      Herbert V. Friedman, Inc.
      119 North Park Avenue
      Rockville Centre, New York 11570
      1-800-272-1637
      E-mail: apsit@hvfinc.com
   
   
2. Complete the application answering all questions fully. Please make sure you date and sign the application (all signatures must be original).
   
   
3. Return the completed application to the Plan Administrator.
   
   
4. Do not send money. You will be billed after your application is approved by New York Life.

Your application is subject to underwriting approval by New York Life.

If you have any questions regarding the plan, application or claims, contact the Plan Administrator.

APSIT offers a full complement of insurance products from New York Life. Ask your Plan Administrator for information on the Group Term Life (standard plan), 10 Year Level Term, Personal Accident, Disability Income, and Hospital Indemnity Benefit Plans.

Coverage under this plan is generally available to residents of the United States and Canada (Except Quebec). Coverage may not be available in some states - call the Plan Administrator for details.

Notice to Florida Residents: Ken Friedman (an employee of Herbert V. Friedman, Inc.) is a licensed Agent for service to residents of Florida.

This website provides a general description of the insurance plans offered and is not a contract. Complete terms, conditions, definitions, limitations, exclusions and renewability are detailed in Group Policy G-29069-1 - Policy Form GMR (in Texas Policy Form GMR-FACE/G-29069-1) issued to The Trustees of APSIT. Insured Members are provided a Certificate of Insurance which details their coverage.