Volunteer Firefighters Program (Countrywide)

• Availability
• Eligibility
• Who is Covered?
• When Are They Covered?
• Description of Coverages
• Available Discounts and Deductibles
• Safe Haven Claim Settlement Feature
• Important Limitations, Exclusions and Definitions
  • Accident Coverages
  • Sickness Coverages
  • Other Coverages
  • Policy Exclusions
  • Definitions
• Underwriting
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Availability

Our Volunteer Firefighters' Program is not available in Alabama, Delaware, Florida, Indiana, or Mississippi.

For New York only, see our Volunteer Firefighters' New York Program.

Eligibility

Subject to various state exceptions and approvals, all volunteer fire companies are eligible for coverage. Volunteer ambulance, first-aid and rescue squads that are a part of a volunteer fire department may also be included under the department's policy. Squads not affiliated with an insured fire company may be insured as individual units. Benefits and rates are the same as those applicable to fire companies. Please contact your reporting office for state availabilities and restrictions.

Who is Covered?

All volunteer members of the fire company, including members who may receive a nominal fee as a retainer, and/or all volunteer members of volunteer ambulance, first-aid and rescue squads not affiliated with a fire company.

All paid drivers or employees of the fire company regularly employed as full-time firefighters and/or all paid drivers or employees of volunteer ambulance, first aid and rescue squads not affiliated with a fire company.

Bystanders who are not members of the fire company or any other voluntary firefighter organization but are deputized in an emergency by the Chief or other official of the organization for an emergency. (NOT applicable where deputizing is not permitted by law).

When Are They Covered?

Insured persons will be covered who are accidentally injured or lose their lives while actually on duty and either at a fire, traveling to or returning from a fire, at a fire drill, at a parade or at a test or trial of any fire-fighting or emergency apparatus; or on an emergency call, or traveling to or returning from an emergency call; or participating in or attending as a volunteer member of the organization (but not as a paid driver or employee) any other regularly approved, supervised activity of the organization; or riding in or on organization apparatus (including a private passenger automobile furnished by the organization for the transportation of the fire chief or other official of the organization) while traveling to or returning from a fire drill, a parade or a test or trial of any fire-fighting apparatus.

Junior firefighters will be covered while actually on duty under the direct supervision of the Fire Chief or other authorized official of the organization.

Members of the Firefighters Auxiliary will be covered while on duty and at a fire, traveling to or returning from a fire, and riding in or on fire company apparatus, going to or returning from a fire drill, parade, or test or trial of any fire-fighting apparatus or participating in or attending as a volunteer member of the organization (but not as a paid driver or employee) any other regularly approved, supervised activity of the organization or riding on organization apparatus (including a private passenger automobile furnished by the organization for the transportation of the fire chief or other official of the organization).

Description of Coverages

Accidental Death and Dismemberment Catastrophic Loss Benefit - This benefit pays the Principal Sum for loss of life; both hands or both feet or sight of both eyes; one hand and one foot; either hand or foot and sight of one eye; hearing in both ears and speech; movement of both upper and lower limbs (quadriplegia); movement of both lower limbs (paraplegia); movement of both upper and lower limbs of one side of the body (hemiplegia). Three-quarters of the Principal Sum will be paid for loss of hearing in one ear and speech; one arm or one leg. One-half the Principal Sum will be paid for loss of movement of one upper limb or one lower limb; speech or hearing in both ears; either hand or foot; sight of one eye. One-quarter the Principal Sum will be paid for loss of hearing in one ear; thumb and index finger of either hand. One-twentieth of the Principal Sum will be paid for the loss of one thumb. One one-hundredth of the Principal Sum will be paid for the loss of each joint of finger or toe.

The term "loss" will mean with regard to hand or foot, complete severance through or above wrist or ankle joint; with regard to sight, speech or hearing, total and irrecoverable loss of sight, speech or hearing; with regard to thumb or index finger, complete severance through or above metacarpophalangeal joint; with regard to arm or leg, complete severance through or above the elbow or knee joint; with regard to each joint of finger or toe, complete severance through or above the joint of the finger or toe; with regard to movement, complete and irreversible paralysis involving the entire arm with respect to upper limb, or entire leg with respect to the lower limb.

The maximum benefit available for AD&D Catastrophic Loss is $200,000.

Accelerated Benefit (Living Benefit Option) - This benefit allows the insured person to receive 50% of the Accidental Death and Dismemberment Catastrophic Loss Benefit or $50,000 whichever is less, upon being diagnosed by a physician as having less than twelve (12) months to live due to injury as defined under this policy. The Accelerated Benefit is payable only if the insured person has a terminal condition due to participation in a covered activity, is under 60 years of age when the terminal condition is diagnosed, and requests in writing that the benefit be paid. The funds are payable in a lump sum without any restriction on how they can be used. The insured person's amount of Accidental Death and Dismemberment Catastrophic Loss Benefit payable upon his or her death will be reduced by any Accelerated Benefit Amount already received.

The Accelerated Benefit is automatically included at no charge with the purchase of AD&D Catastrophic Loss.

Seat Belt Coverage - A death benefit will be paid if loss of life occurs due to a covered seat belt accident. A "covered seat belt accident" means the unintentional collision of an Automobile or Fire Engine during which the insured person is participating in a Covered Activity and is wearing a seat belt. A police report must indicate the insured person was wearing an unaltered seat belt at the time of the accident.

The Benefit Amount is $20,000.

Accident Medical Expense Benefit - The AME Benefit pays the reasonable expenses incurred (not to exceed the maximum benefit amount selected and in excess of any deductible amount) for Medical Care prescribed by a doctor for treatment of injuries sustained as a result of an accident. This benefit includes medical expenses for skin grafting or plastic surgery due to injury, up to the full amount of the Accident Medical Expense Benefit.

The Maximum Benefit available is $100,000. Higher benefits may be available upon request. Individual deductibles of $100, $250, $500 and $1,000 are available.

Accident Total Disability Benefit - This benefit will pay a Weekly Benefit Amount in the event of Total Disability due to injury, for each week of disability for 2 years, 5 years or to Age 65, depending on the Benefit Period selected by the Fire Company. The weekly benefits, payable on the first day of disability, will be the weekly benefit amount selected by the Fire Company or 70% of the insured person's average weekly wage, whichever is less. Benefits will be reduced by any Other Income Benefits which the insured person is entitled, such as Workers' Compensation or Social Security; 50% of income from rehabilitative employment, and all income from any employer or from any work. Payments will not be reduced to less than $100 per week. Additionally, if the insured person's Social Security Disability Benefits increase due to a Cost of Living adjustment, benefit payments will not be offset by the increase.

The Maximum Benefit available is $1,000 per week. The Fire Company may select a weekly benefit amount from $100 to $1,000 in $50 increments.

Existing policyholders have the option of "grandfathering" the disability benefit. Existing policyholders may elect the "old" version of the Accident Total Disability Benefit. If chosen, the "old" versions of the Total Disability Benefit under Heart or Circulatory Malfunction, Influenza, LaGrippe and Pneumonia and Contagious and Infectious Disease benefits must also be chosen. All other benefits are available to existing policyholders (AD&D Catastrophic Loss,Accident Medical Expense, Rehabilitative Employment, Permanent Total Disability, etc.) on an optional basis except the Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) benefit and the Partial Disability benefit. When opting for the grandfathered disability benefit, (COLA) is not available. In addition, the Partial Disability Benefit will be the Grandfathered version.

New policyholders will not be allowed to purchase the "grandfathered" option and will be offered the "new" versions of the Accident Total Disability Benefit.

Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) Benefit - The COLA Benefit allows benefit payments to increase each year that insured person remains disabled following the first full year of a covered disability. The increase will be the lesser of 3% or one-half the percentage change in the Consumer Price Index. An insured person can receive up to ten annual increases. Adjustments occur each year on January 1st.

Accident Partial Disability Benefit - Benefits for partial disability are paid if an insured person receives total disability benefits, but is then able to perform at least one of the substantial and material duties of his or her occupation, either part-time or full-time. The Partial Disability benefit allows an insured person to rebuild his or her income to its pre-disability level as he or she returns to full-time employment. This benefit is payable for the maximum payment period selected by the Fire Company for the Accident Total Disability Benefit - 2 years, 5 years or to age 65 and is payable for up to 80% of the benefit under Accident Total Disability.

The benefit is automatically included with the Accident Total Disability Benefit. The Benefit period matches the benefit period selected by the Fire Company under the Accident Total Disability Benefit.

Permanent Total Disability Benefit - This benefit pays the benefit amount selected, less any amount paid or payable under the AD&D Catastrophic Loss Benefit and the Accelerated Benefit, if the insured person suffers a permanent total disability after a period of continuous total disability equal to the payment period selected under the Accident Total Disability Benefit.

This benefit is available only if the AD&D Catastrophic Loss Benefit and Accident Total Disability Benefit are purchased and only if the 104- or 260-week Accident Total Disability payment period option is selected.

The maximum benefit for Permanent Total Disability is equal to the benefit selected under the AD&D Catastrophic Loss Benefit. The Maximum Benefit available is $200,000.

Heart or Circulatory Malfunction Benefit - This benefit provides a Death Benefit, Medical Expense Benefit and/or Total Disability Benefit when an insured person suffers a sudden heart or circulatory malfunction within 48 hours after participating in the fighting of a fire or other emergency call.

• The Death Benefit (maximum available is $100,000) pays the selected amount if the insured person dies within 180 days of the date of the emergency duty from a covered heart or circulatory malfunction. This benefit is available only if the AD&D Catastrophic Loss Benefit is purchased under the basic policy.
• The Medical Expense Benefit (maximum available is $100,000) pays the reasonable expenses for necessary medical care (not to exceed the maximum benefit amount selected and in excess of any deductible amount) incurred within 52 weeks after the date of the emergency duty. This benefit is available only if the AME Benefit is purchased under the basic policy.
• Total Disability Benefit (maximum benefit available is $1,000 per week, the Fire Company may select a weekly benefit amount from $100 to $1,000 in $50 increments.)

  In the event of Total Disability due to a covered heart or circulatory malfunction, this benefit will pay a Weekly Benefit Amount for each week of disability for 26 weeks, 52 weeks or 104 weeks, depending on the Benefit Period selected.

  The weekly benefit amount is calculated as described under the Accident Total Disability Benefit. In no event will benefit payments be less than $100 per week. Heart or Circulatory Malfunction Total Disability benefits are available only if the Accident Total Disability Benefit is purchased under the basic policy. No payment will be made under this benefit during any time for which a benefit is payable under the Accident Total Disability Benefit.

Influenza, La Grippe and Pneumonia Benefit - This benefit provides a Death Benefit, Medical Expense and/or Total Disability Benefit when an insured person contracts influenza, La Grippe or pneumonia after participating in the fighting of a fire or other emergency call.

• The Death Benefit (maximum available is $100,000) pays the amount selected if the insured person dies from a covered sickness within 26 weeks of the date of the emergency duty. This benefit is available only if the AD&D Catastrophic Loss Benefit is purchased under the basic policy.
• The Medical Expense Benefit (maximum available is $100,000) will pay Reasonable Expenses for necessary Medical Care (not to exceed the maximum benefit amount selected and in excess of any deductible amount) incurred within 52 weeks after the date of the emergency duty. This benefit is available only if the AME benefit is purchased under the basic policy.
• Total Disability Benefit (maximum benefit available is $1,000 per week, The Fire Company may select a weekly benefit amount from $100 to $1,000 in $50 increments.)

  In the event of Total Disability due to a covered sickness, this benefit will pay a Weekly Benefit Amount for each week of disability for 26 weeks, 52 weeks or 104 weeks, depending on the Benefit Period selected by the Fire Company.

  The weekly benefit amount is calculated as described under the Accident Total Disability Benefit. In no event will benefit payments be less than $100 per week. Sickness Total Disability benefits are available only if the Accident Total Disability Benefit is purchased under the basic policy. No payment will be made under this benefit during any time for which a benefit is payable under the Accident Total Disability Benefit.

Contagious and Infectious Disease Benefit - This benefit provides a Death Benefit, Medical Expense Benefit, and/or Total Disability Benefit when an insured person contracts a contagious or infectious disease (except HIV, acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)*, AIDS related complex (ARC), any complications arising form HIV, AIDS, or ARC, influenza, La Grippe, pneumonia, or common colds) after participating in the fighting of a fire or other covered emergency call.

• The Death Benefit (maximum available is $100,000) pays the selected Death Benefit if the insured person dies from a covered sickness within 26 weeks of the date of the emergency duty. This benefit is available only if the AD&D Catastrophic Loss Benefit is purchased under the basic policy.
• The Medical Expense Benefit (maximum available is $100,000) will pay the Reasonable Expenses for necessary Medical Care (not to exceed the maximum benefit amount selected and in excess of any deductible amount) incurred within 52 weeks after the date of emergency duty. Payment will not be made for expenses incurred for inoculations, immunizations or medicines unless it is required due to contraction of the disease or condition would result in increased physical harm to the insured. This benefit is available only if the Accident Medical Expense Benefit is purchased under the basic policy.
• Total Disability Benefit (maximum benefit available is $1,000 per week, The Fire Company may select a weekly benefit amount from $100 to $1,000 in $50 increments.)

  In the event of Total Disability due to a covered sickness, this benefit will pay a Weekly Benefit Amount for each week of disability for 26 weeks, 52 weeks or 104 weeks, depending on the Benefit Period selected.

  The weekly benefit amount is calculated as described under the Accident Total Disability Benefit. In no event will benefit payments be less than $100 per week. Sickness Total Disability benefits are available only if the Accident Total Disability Benefit is purchased under the basic policy. No payment will be made under this benefit during any time for which a benefit is payable under the Accident Total Disability Benefit.

Cosmetic Disfigurement from Burns Benefit - This benefit provides coverage when an insured person suffers third or fourth degree burns from participating in a covered activity. The benefit pays up to the maximum benefit amount selected for cosmetic disfigurement. The benefit payable for any one loss is based on a percentage proportional to the total amount of the body actually burned and on the severity of the burn. If benefits are payable under the Cosmetic Disfigurement from Burns benefit, and at a later date, benefits are payable for the same area of the body under the AD&D Catastrophic Loss Benefit, the amount paid will be the amount due which is equal to the difference between the two benefits. This benefit is available only if one Basic Coverage such as Accident Medical Expense is purchased under the basic policy.

The maximum benefit available is $100,000.

*Not applicable in certain states.

• Family Expense Reimbursement Benefit- This benefit provides payment in conjunction with the Cosmetic Disfigurement from Burns benefit. Benefits are payable to the insured's immediate family for necessary transportation, meals and lodging if the severity of the burn requires hospitalization at least 50 miles from the insured's permanent residence.

  Expenses incurred are payable up to $5,000 for a maximum of 52 weeks from the date of the injury.

HIV Positive Benefit - The benefit is payable in a lump sum upon the positive diagnosis of HIV virus as a direct result of participation in an emergency duty subject to the following requirements.

An incident report (notice of exposure) which describes the nature of the exposure to HIV must be filed with the policyholder and sent to The Hartford within 72 hours of the date of participation in the covered activity which caused the exposure to HIV; or, the insured person receives notice that treated patient has tested positive for HIV.

The insured person must not have previously tested positive for HIV, or if the insured person previously tested positive for HIV, he or she must have subsequently tested negative to HIV prior to the emergency duty exposures; the insured person must have a preliminary screening test, such as an ELISA or other appropriate Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved test, for HIV within 7 days of the filing of the incident report as described above. The Hartford must receive notification of the results of the test as soon as reasonably possible and the results of this test must be negative.

The insured person must thereafter test HIV Positive within 52 weeks of the date of the participation in the emergency duty which caused the exposure to HIV. The Hartford must receive notification of HIV Positive test results as soon as reasonably possible.

Costs incurred for HIV tests or any related tests will be covered. However, if any HIV test or related testing is payable under any other benefit in the policy the cost will be paid only once for any one exposure.

In no event will benefits be payable under both the Contagious and Infectious Disease and HIV Positive benefits. No HIV benefits will be payable if an insured person tests positive for HIV within 7 days of the filing of the incident report.

The maximum benefit available is $100,000. This benefit is available only if one Basic Coverage, such as Accidental Death and Dismemberment, is purchased under the Basic Policy.

This benefit is not available in certain states. Please contact your reporting office.

Education Benefit - An Education Benefit will be paid to the insured person's eligible spouse and dependent children if benefits are payable for loss of life under the AD&D Catastrophic Loss Benefit due to the insured person's death. To qualify, the insured person's spouse must enroll at an institution of higher learning within 52 weeks of the death of the insured, or be enrolled in an institution of higher learning at the time of the insured person's death for the purpose of obtaining an independent source of income and maintenance.

Eligible dependent children must be enrolled as a full-time student at an institution of higher learning beyond the twelfth grade level, or be under the age of 21, and within 52 weeks of the insured person's death, enroll as a full-time student in an institution of higher learning.

The Education Benefit payable is the cost for tuition at an institution of higher learning, exclusive of room and board, up to a maximum annual amount of $5,000 per eligible person for 4 consecutive years. An institution of higher learning includes, but is not limited to, any state university, private college, professional or trade school.

The maximum reimbursement is up to $5,000 per year (per eligible person).

Hospital Indemnity Benefit - The Hospital Indemnity Benefit provides two coverages. The first is the Accident Hospital Indemnity Benefit which provides coverage only for confinement due to a covered accident and is available only if the Accident Medical Expense Benefit or the Accident Total Disability Benefit is purchased under the basic policy.

The second benefit is the Hospital Indemnity Benefit which provides coverage for confinement due to a covered accident or covered sickness and is available only if the Accident Medical Expense or Accident Total Disability Benefits and the Influenza, La Grippe, and Pneumonia and/or the Contagious and Infectious Disease Benefits are selected.

If a covered accident (or covered sickness) requires an insured person to be hospital confined as an inpatient and such confinement commences within 30 days after a covered accident (or sickness), the benefit will pay the Daily Hospital Benefit amount selected for each day of actual confinement subject to a maximum of 365 days for any one period of confinement due to any one injury (or sickness). Benefits are payable only for those days for which the hospital charges a full day impatient confinement.

The maximum benefit available is $60 per day up to 365 days.

Junior Firefighters - This benefit provides a $10,000 Accidental Death and Dismemberment Catastrophic Loss Benefit and a $10,000 Accident Medical Expense Benefit at no charge for all Junior Firefighters of the fire company. For an additional fee the Accident Medical Expense Benefit can be increased to $25,000.

To be covered, the Junior Firefighters must be on duty and under the direct supervision of the Fire Chief or other authorized official of the fire company. The Junior Firefighters Benefit is not available for affiliated or non-affiliated ambulance, first-aid and rescue squads.

Firefighters Auxiliary - Members of the Firefighters Auxiliary are covered under the policy while actually on duty at a fire, including going to or returning from a fire, and riding in or on fire company apparatus, going to or returning from a fire drill, parade, or a test or trial of any fire-fighting apparatus for the following benefits.

Accidental Death and Dismemberment Catastrophic Loss Benefit has a maximum benefit of $50,000.

Accidental Medical Expenses Benefit has a maximum benefit of $50,000.

Accidental Hospital Indemnity Benefit has a maximum benefit available of $60 per day up to 180 days for any one period of confinement due to any one injury.

Available Discounts and Deductibles

A county or Association Discount is available when all fire departments (or ambulance, first aid or rescue squads) of a county or association are covered under one policy. Reduced premiums may also be available for medical coverages if the policy is issued with the Excess Coverage Option or the Worker's Compensation Offset. Contact your reporting office for details and limitations. Individual deductibles of $100, $250, $500 and $1,000 are available on Medical Expense Benefits.

Safe Haven Claim Settlement Feature

With Safe Haven, insurance proceeds are deposited into an interest-bearing checking account rather than issued through a lump-sum check. A Safe Haven account will be issued in settlement of all AD&D claims whenever $10,000 or more is payable to any single beneficiary.

Since beneficiaries receive a checkbook to access the funds in their account, they don't need to worry about making immediate financial decisions during a trying time. Other important advantages include:

• no cost to policyholders or beneficiaries;
• checkbook is mailed to beneficiaries within 48 hours;
• proceeds are guaranteed by The Hartford;
• easy access to funds when they're needed;
• free check writing services;
• account activity summarized in monthly statements; and
• a toll-free number for account inquiries.

Important Limitations, Exclusions, and Definitions

Accident Coverages

Accidental Death and Dismemberment Catastrophic Loss - We will not pay more than the Principal Sum for all losses due to the same accident.

Seat Belt Coverage - This benefit does not cover loss of life if the insured person is operating the automobile or fire engine while under the influence of any intoxicant, excitant, or any narcotic or other drug, or similar substance as verified in the police accident report.

Accident Medical Expense - To be covered, the first expense must be incurred within 26 weeks of the accident, and the last expense within 7 years. The Hartford will pay all reasonable expenses, subject to maximum benefit amounts selected by the policyholder. However, no payment will be made for any medical expenses for which benefits are payable under any Workers' Compensation or similar law.

Accident Total Disability - To be covered, the insured person must be actively at work at the time disability commences and total disability must result from injury, begin within 30 days of the accident, be continuous, and require the care of a legally qualified physician. If the maximum payment period is "to age 65" and the Total Disability begins: before age 63, the weekly benefit amount will be payable to age 65; or on or after age 63, the weekly benefit amount will be payable for two years.

The sum of the disability benefit amount and the total income received from a program of rehabilitative employment can equal 100% of the insured person's pre-disability average weekly wage without benefits being reduced.

Periods of disability: (a) due to the same or related medical causes, and (b) separated by less than 90 days during which an insured person is actively-at-work, will be considered one period of disability.

Accident Partial Disability - To be covered, partial disability must result from injury and begin within 30 days of the accident, or immediately follow a period of total disability for which benefits are payable. The partial disability must be continuous, cause a loss of income between 20 and 80 percent and require the regular care of a legally qualified physician. No payment will be made for any day for which a benefit is payable for Total Disability.

Permanent Total Disability - To be covered, injury resulting in permanent total disability must be sustained prior to age 60.

Heart and Circulatory Malfunctions - To be covered for heart or circulatory malfunctions, the first symptoms must be medically diagnosed within 48 hours after the insured person has participated in the fighting of a fire or other emergency duty. The insured person must be under 65 years of age, and not within 5 years prior to participating in the fighting of a fire or other emergency duty, received medical treatment for, or been diagnosed that he or she has a heart or circulatory malfunction, hypertension or angina. Benefit payments will not exceed the Maximum Benefit Amount for any one occurrence.

Sickness Coverages

Influenza, LaGrippe or Pneumonia - To be covered, the first symptoms must be medically diagnosed within 7 days after having participated in the fighting of a fire or other emergency duty.

Contagious and Infectious Disease - To be covered, the first symptoms must be medically diagnosed within 30 days from the insured person's exposure to the disease. Contagious or infectious disease shall not mean: HIV; acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS); AIDS related complex (ARC); any complications arising from HIV, AIDS, or ARC; influenza; La Grippe; pneumonia; or common colds.

Other Coverages

Hospital Indemnity Benefit - Successive periods of confinement due to the same or related causes, not separated by a period of 90 days or longer, will be considered as one period of hospital confinement. Sickness means: sickness as defined in the Influenza, La Grippe, and Pneumonia Benefit; and for disease, as defined in the Contagious and Infectious Disease Benefit, provided these coverages have been selected under the policy.

Firefighters Auxiliary - Benefits are payable under the Hospital Indemnity Benefit if the insured person is confined due to injury and the first day of confinement for the first benefit period occurs within 30 days after the accident. Successive periods of confinement due to the same or related injury and separated by a period of less than 90 days, shall be considered one period of confinement.

Policy Exclusions

The Volunteer Firefighter Accident Policy does not cover loss, disability or expense incurred as a result of:

• Intentionally self-inflicted injury, suicide or attempted suicide.
• War or act of war, whether the war is declared or not.
• Accidents occurring while in or on any aircraft, except while a passenger in or on an aircraft operated by a passenger airline on a regularly scheduled passenger trip over its established route.

Definitions

Apparatus means, but is not limited to, a fire truck, engine or pumper, hose wagon, ladder truck, patrol ambulance, tournament truck and any other fire-fighting vehicle.

Average Weekly Wage is the greatest of the insured person's total wages, salaries, tips, and commissions for the:
1) calendar year immediately preceding the year in which the loss occurred divided by 52 weeks;
2) twelve months immediately preceding the loss (determined by the sum of the twelve months of income divided by 52); or
3) 3 months immediately preceding the loss multiplied by 4 and then divided by 52 weeks. Average Weekly Wage will be verified by the insured person's employer and/or tax records.

Heart or Circulatory Malfunction refers only to a sudden and serious malfunction of the heart and circulatory system as occurs in a diagnosis of coronary thrombosis, cerebral vascular accident, myocardial infarction, and cardiac arrest. Heart and Circulatory Malfunction does not refer to conditions such as hypertension and angina.

HIV means human immunodeficiency virus.

HIV Positive means the presence of HIV antibodies in an insured person's blood as substantiated through both a positive screening test enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, (ELISA) and a positive supplement test such as Western Blot. All such tests must be approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) with the interpretation of positivity as specified by the manufacturer(s).

Medical Care means any hospital, surgical, nursing and other medical services or supplies prescribed by a doctor.

Other Income Benefits means the amount of any benefit for loss of income provided, to the insured person or the insured person's family, as a result of the period of disability for which the insured person is claiming benefits under this plan. This includes any benefits for which the insured person or the insured person's family are eligible or that are paid to the insured person, to the insured person's family or to a third party on the insured person's behalf, pursuant to any:

(a) temporary or permanent disability benefits under a Workers' Compensation Law, occupational disease law, or from any similar law for firefighters and rescue personnel;
(b) governmental law or program that provides disability or unemployment benefits as a result of the insured person's job with any employer;
(c) plan or arrangement of coverage, whether insured or not, as a result of employment by or association with an employer or as a result of membership in or association with any group, association, union or other organization;
(d) individual insurance policy where the premium is wholly or partially paid by an employer;
(e) "no fault" automobile insurance plan;
(f) disability benefits under the United States Social Security Act, the Canada Pension Plan, the Quebec Pension Plan, or similar plan or act that the insured person, the insured person's spouse and children are eligible to receive because of the insured person's disability or because of the insured person's retirement, unless the insured person was receiving them prior to becoming disabled;
(g) disability benefits under any employer's retirement plan that is wholly or partially funded by the employer, unless:

   (a) the insured person was receiving it prior to becoming disabled; or
   (b) the insured person immediately transfers the payment to another plan qualified by the United States     Internal Revenue Service for the funding of a future retirement.

Other Income Benefits will not include the portion, if any, of such retirement benefit that was funded by the insured person's after-tax contributions;
(h) any portion of a settlement or judgment, minus associated costs, of a lawsuit that represents or compensates for the insured person's loss of earnings.

Reasonable Expenses means fees and prices which do not exceed those generally charged for similar medical care in the local area where received by the insured person.

Rehabilitative Employment means employment or service which prepares a totally or partially disabled person to resume gainful work and is approved by The Hartford.

Workers' Compensation Offset: The policy has been issued at a discounted premium on the basis that the policyholder has purchased Workers' Compensation type coverage for both paid and voluntary firefighters and rescue personnel. In this situation, the policy will not act as a substitute for Workers ' Compensation or any other statutory plan of compensation for paid or voluntary firefighters and rescue personnel.

If, in the state of the policyholder's domicile:
a) participation in the Workers' Compensation system is voluntary under law; and
b) the policyholder, after electing this rider for a discounted premium, does not purchase or continue to maintain a plan of Workers' Compensation insurance.

The policy will act as though the underlying Workers' Compensation insurance policy was in force. We will reduce the benefits of the policy by the statutorily defined benefits as though the policyholder had elected to subscribe to and had purchased the Workers' Compensation coverage or similar statutory plan prescribed for the firefighters and rescue personnel.

This policy is renewable from term to term, subject to the consent of The Hartford.

Underwriting

The minimum premium for each policy written is $375.

Complete the request form on this site, taking into consideration if coverage has been previously provided by another carrier. If so, provide premium and incurred loss information for the past three years.

This program and its benefits are not available in Alabama, Indiana, Mississippi, Florida or Delaware. Not all benefits are available in New Jersey. Please contact your reporting office for state approvals and restrictions. Volunteer Firefighters - New York is written under a separate program.