How Unum covers individual needs

March 2022

As an insurance provider, the mission of Unum Życie, the IGP Network Partner in Poland, is to meet the unique insurance requirements of their individual customers. In pursuit of this mission, they ensure their offer is relevant and needs-based, plus they engage in education on employee health and wellbeing. Good health has always been at the top of the priority list for people in Poland, right next to having a healthy family and job security. In a sense, the pandemic made everyone re-evaluate their priorities: while health continues to take the top position, safeguarding our health becomes a more conscious decision.

As confirmed by the latest report on risk mapping in Poland, published by the Polish Chamber of Insurance (PIU), ill health and death – our own and our loved ones – are the major concerns.

Two thousand survey respondents were asked to consider forty emergency situations such as death, health crisis, robbery, accident, extreme weather or divorce, etc. The list of concerns that keeps Poles awake at night starts with the death of a loved one, followed by unaffordable medical treatment, health crisis with a family member, and cancer.

These findings are consistent with the conclusions of  the ‘Covid 365+’ study, carried out by IPSOS one year into the pandemic.  As it turns out, every other respondent, statistically, has rearranged their priorities in life, putting their own health and the good health of their nearest and dearest on top (72 percent and 68 percent of respondents, respectively).

As for Poland Statistics (GUS) demographic projections, in 2050 the share of the working and pre-working age population will be 57 percent versus less than 11 percent, respectively. Demographic changes are reflected in population health, wellness and family life and private life patterns. Population aging affects healthcare consumption and leads to a decline in labor productivity, which calls for additional employee support plans.

This needs to be reflected in the insurance offer, which must consider the many factors associated with health risks. In Poland, the healthcare system capacity has been strained by the pandemic. In addition, the risk of chronic diseases has been on the rise due to demographic changes and people’s habits or lifestyle choices. Chronic conditions are often associated with prolonged stress and inadequate or inaccessible health screening and prevention measures.

Insurance can help address those needs effectively. People in Poland are increasingly interested in taking out insurance coverage.  According to Unum research, 57 percent of respondents in Poland have an insurance policy (13 percentage points higher than before the breakout of the pandemic).

Most respondents are a member of a group insurance plan.  A group insurance policy offered by the employer is no longer perceived as an optional employee benefit. Rather, any responsive and mature organization with an employee focus will understand that it is perceived as a must-have for many employees.

An employee who knows that their healthcare and the healthcare of their dependents is covered under their employee benefits will usually perform better and feel more reassured and appreciated within the organization.

Today’s group life and health insurance plans are flexible and can be adapted to individual preferences. They can easily be obtained by employees on a remote basis, without having to visit the office to sign the documents.

In one group insurance package, the employees need not necessarily have the same coverage across the board, regardless of their individual needs. 

A basic group product, which is identical for all the employees included in the group, can be designed in line with the needs of the organization, its unique characteristics and requirements. Those basic products can then be enhanced with the riders, to be chosen by each employee individually.

“A group product can be designed in line with the needs of the organization, its unique characteristics and requirements. This can be enhanced individually by every employee to match the scope of their coverage to their needs.”

Employees may match the scope of coverage to their needs: increasing the sums insured, opting for dread disease or accident riders, or getting their loved ones covered under the policy.

A sum insured can be determined as a lump sum or it can be defined as a multiple of one’s salary. This way, an employee can safeguard an amount of financial support adequate to their family needs in case of emergency. The list of life emergencies that can be covered under a group insurance policy continues to grow and expand.

Following the latest survey results and statistics, Unum has developed special packages dedicated to cancer and heart disease risks, which attract a lot of attention and interest.

Based on international morbidity estimates and doctors' opinions, cardiovascular and oncological diseases have a detrimental effect on quality of life.

Lifestyle diseases are a serious challenge for patients and their loved ones. Upon diagnosis, intensive rehabilitation, and care to facilitate recovery is needed which comes at a cost.

• According to Unum Insight research findings, every third Pole, statistically, anticipates that they might experience cardiological problems at some point in their life. In fact, CVDs are the most common cause of death in Poland.

• The second most common area of concern is cancer. Projections based on the GLOBOCAN estimates predict a substantial increase from 14.1 million to 19.3 million new cancer cases per year by 2025; and by 2035 the annual figure is said to reach 24 million.

  Statistically, one out of four people in Poland is also worried about potential oncological problems.

  To address these concerns, Unum has introduced insurance products that offer financial benefits coupled with medical assistance services, such as consultations, diagnostics, sophisticated tests and other useful help.

  Should a cardiological or oncological illness included in the scope of coverage be diagnosed with the person insured, they will be eligible for a cash benefit that they can use for any purpose.

  The money can be spent towards treatment, purchase of medicines or simply to cover their monthly expenses.
• Unum ensures that the catalogue of benefits includes the services that will help the client at the time of medical treatment and convalescence, such as arranging and paying the rental or purchase of rehabilitation equipment, transportation to a medical facility, home-based nursing care, home space adaptation, psychological counseling, medical consultations and examinations, rehabilitation or access to a 24/7 medical helpline.
• For many employees, children are the utmost priority. With group insurance, one can purchase a package focused specifically on children and their needs. When an employer supports the wellbeing of children of their employees, it testifies to their empathy and understanding of employees’ heart-felt concerns.
• For those who cannot imagine their life without the adrenaline rush of sporting activities, there is an individual coverage option that has been designed by Unum with sports lovers in mind. It can be bought as a rider added to the group insurance package. By making this solution a part of workplace insurance offer, an employer supports good, healthy habits of the workforce and acknowledges their sportive passions.

Always alert to client needs, Unum continues to monitor and review the ongoing developments in the healthcare system, demographic structure and social trends; to design a meaningful insurance offer focused on protecting the assets that matter the most to the insureds and their loved ones: their life and health.