What Each Type of Coverage Actually Does

Plain explanations of the three kinds of coverage we offer, and when each one matters.

Supplemental Life

What it pays for
A lump sum if you die
When it pays out
On death, on duty or off
Who gets the money
The beneficiary you name
Typical use
Mortgage, income replacement, kids
Does it replace department coverage
No, it stacks on top

Cancer & Critical Illness

What it pays for
A lump sum on a covered diagnosis
When it pays out
On diagnosis, before treatment starts
Who gets the money
You
Typical use
Deductibles, travel to treatment, lost income
Does it replace department coverage
No, it fills gaps health insurance leaves

Accident & Injury

What it pays for
Cash for covered injuries and treatment
When it pays out
After a covered injury or ER visit
Who gets the money
You
Typical use
Out of pocket costs, time off the job
Does it replace department coverage
No, workers comp may not cover off duty

Supplemental Life

Supplemental life insurance pays a lump sum to the person you name if you die while your policy is active. It sits on top of whatever life insurance your department already provides, it does not replace it. Coverage amounts and pricing typically depend on the plan you are approved for.

How it works

  1. 1You apply and name a beneficiary, the person or people who would receive the payout.
  2. 2The carrier reviews your application through underwriting, which commonly includes health questions.
  3. 3If approved, your policy is active and stays in place as long as premiums are paid.
  4. 4If you die while covered, your beneficiary files a claim and the carrier pays the benefit.

When it helps

  • You want money that goes straight to your family, not tied up in a slower claims process on a smaller department policy.
  • You want coverage that stays with you if you change departments or retire.
  • You want more protection than your department policy alone provides.

What it does not do

  • It does not pay you anything while you are alive.
  • Life insurance policies commonly exclude certain causes of death or include a contestability period early in the policy. Details vary by plan.
  • Approval and pricing are not guaranteed and depend on underwriting.

Term or Whole Life?

Both are real options. Here is the difference.

Term life

Whole life

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Whole life costs more per month because it covers you for life and builds cash value.

Term Life

  • Covers a set number of years
  • Lower monthly cost
  • No cash value
  • Good if you want the most coverage for the money

Whole Life

  • Covers you for life
  • Higher monthly cost
  • Builds cash value you can borrow against
  • Good if you want coverage that never expires
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Cancer & Critical Illness

Cancer and critical illness coverage pays a lump sum if you are diagnosed with a covered condition. It pays regardless of what your health insurance covers or what treatment ends up costing. Covered conditions and benefit amounts vary by plan.

How it works

  1. 1You apply and choose a coverage amount as part of underwriting.
  2. 2If you are later diagnosed with a condition the plan covers, you file a claim with documentation from your doctor.
  3. 3The carrier reviews the claim against the covered conditions defined in your policy.
  4. 4If approved, the lump sum is paid to you directly, not to a hospital or provider.

When it helps

  • A diagnosis brings costs health insurance does not touch: deductibles, copays, travel to a specialist, or lost income if treatment takes you off shift.
  • You want cash before treatment starts, not a reimbursement after the fact.
  • You want a benefit that pays out regardless of how your specific health plan is structured.

What it does not do

  • It does not cover every diagnosis. Covered conditions vary by plan and are defined in the policy.
  • It is not a substitute for health insurance. It pays a lump sum, it does not pay ongoing medical bills directly.
  • Depending on the plan, it may pay out once, or once per condition category.
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Accident & Injury

Accident and injury coverage pays cash after a covered injury, on top of whatever your department or health insurance already covers. It is meant to offset the costs an injury creates that other coverage typically does not touch.

How it works

  1. 1You are injured in a covered accident, on duty or off, depending on the plan.
  2. 2You get treatment and documentation, an ER visit, urgent care, or a doctor’s diagnosis.
  3. 3You file a claim with that documentation.
  4. 4The carrier pays a cash benefit based on the type of injury or treatment, according to your policy.

When it helps

  • An off-duty injury that workers’ comp does not touch.
  • Out of pocket costs, like a high deductible, that come with an ER visit or a fracture.
  • Time off the job that is not fully covered by sick leave or short-term disability.

What it does not do

  • It does not cover every injury or every visit. Covered events vary by plan and are defined in the policy.
  • It is not a replacement for health insurance or workers’ compensation.
  • Payout amounts and covered injury types depend on the plan you are on.
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See what coverage would cost you.

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Coverage details, covered conditions, and benefit amounts vary by plan and carrier. Nothing on this page is an offer of coverage.