Aflac insurance: Is it any good?

It’s rare to find a major healthcare policy that covers 100% of medical costs. Aflac offers supplemental products that help relieve the leftover strain through lump-sum payments deposited directly into your account. And, if you want a full-on traditional life or employer disability policy, Aflac covers that too.

What is Aflac?

If the voice in your mind sounds like a duck when you think Aflac, you’re not alone. The company’s quack-quack mascot is well-recognized, but Aflac’s actual services may be less understood.

Most Aflac policies act as a sidekick to your regular insurance policy. These supplemental policies are meant to provide a safety net to fill in the gaps of your health insurance or other insurance, so that when the unexpected happens, it’ll be less of a jolt to your financial situation.

Supplemental insurance policies

Since these policies aren’t comprehensive, any policy you consider from Aflac should be gravy on top of your meat-and-potatoes health coverage. Aflac doesn’t deal directly with medical providers, favoring a direct payment to your bank account instead.

Comprehensive insurance policies

Aflac offers two types of policies that can act as a stand-alone insurance policy.

• Employer-based short-term disability
• Life insurance

How does Aflac work?

Once you file a claim and are approved, you’ll receive the payout associated with your policy. How you receive your payout will depend on which type of insurance you have through Aflac.

Payment for supplemental coverages

Once you file a claim, you’ll receive cash benefits that are paid directly to you. Your cash benefit will be based on a fee schedule determined in your policy. A fee schedule specifies how much Aflac is willing to pay per situation, and per occurrence.

For example, your accident policy lists a lump sum payment of $200 for a major diagnostic exam. After a bad fall, your doctor orders you to have a CT scan to confirm if you’ve broken your foot. Regardless of what your health insurance covers, you’re eligible to receive a lump-sum payment of $200.

Payment for comprehensive coverages

Aflac’s comprehensive policies each work a little differently when it comes to receiving your benefit.

• Term life. If you have term life insurance and die during your specified term, your loved ones will receive a one-time lump sum payment.
• Whole life. This type of life insurance policy lasts your entire lifetime and has two parts. A death benefit will be paid out to your beneficiaries when you die. Your saving component, called cash value, can be withdrawn while you’re alive.
• Short-term disability. If you have disability insurance through your employer, and suffer a covered injury or illness that leaves you unable to work — Aflac will pay you a percentage of your monthly salary for the amount of time specified in your policy.

Pros and cons of Aflac

How do I get a quote for Aflac insurance?

If the company you work for offers Aflac coverage, you can add it through your workplace. But if you want to buy it independently — or you own a business and want to offer it to employees — you’ll need to start by requesting a quote:

1. Go to Aflac’s website and hit Get a Quote.
2. Indicate whether you’re An Individual or A Business Owner.
3. Aflac will ask for your contact information, including your name, phone number, ZIP code and email. Then click NEXT.
4. The next page, Call Time, will give you an estimate for when an agent will be in touch. Click SUBMIT to give them the green light.

An agent will be in touch to discuss your options for supplemental insurance.

Compare life insurance companies like Aflac

Sort by:

Name	Product	Issue age	Minimum Coverage	Maximum Coverage	Term Lengths	Medical Exam Required
Sproutt		18 - 100 years old	$50,000	$10,000,000	5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 years	No	This life insurance broker combines technology and the human touch to match you with a policy tailored to your needs.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Ladder		20 - 60 years old	$100,000	$8,000,000	10, 15, 20, 25 or 30 years	Depends on policy	Term life insurance with no policy fees and a simple application process that can get you approved for coverage instantly.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Fabric		21 - 60 years old	$100,000	$5,000,000	10, 15, or 20 years	Depends on policy	Get affordable term life insurance with accelerated underwriting or no-exam coverage up to $1,000,000. Available in all states except CA, NY and MT.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Policygenius		18 - 85 years old	$50,000	$10,000,000	10, 15, 20, 25, 30 years	Depends on provider and policy	Compare affordable quotes from 12+ A-rated life insurance companies side-by-side.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Bestow		21 - 54 years old	$50,000	$1,000,000	10 or 20 years	No	Affordable 10- and 20-year term life insurance policies with instant quotes and no medical exams.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Haven Life		18 - 64 years old	$100,000	$3,000,000	10, 15, 20, or 30 years	No exams for some applicants	Customized term life insurance policies up to $3 million, no medical exam for certain applicants.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Nationwide life insurance		40 - 95 years old	$10,000	$1,000,000	10, 15, 20 and 30 years	Yes	Get term, whole, universal or no-exam life insurance with up to $1 million in coverage.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...

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Bottom line

With Aflac’s supplemental coverage, you’re paying for peace of mind in the event of an unexpected illness or medical need. It also offers insurance to help with loss of wages or end-of-life costs, including guaranteed-issue options.

Scout other life insurance providers to make sure you’re getting the best fit for you.

Frequently asked questions

• What does Aflac stand for?

  In 1955 when it was established, the initials AFLAC came from American Family Life Assurance Company.

• Which policies are eligible for Aflac's SmartClaim process?

  SmartClaims can be submitted online or via the MyAflac Mobile app, and is available for claims submitted on these policies:

  • Accident
  • Cancer
  • Hospital
  • Specified health
  • Intensive care

• How do I file a claim with Aflac?

  When filing a claim, you have three different routes of action:

  1. Aflac SmartClaim

  This is the fastest way to get your money, and guarantees payment within 24 hours if you file by 3 p.m. ET Monday through Friday. Access this online or through the Aflac SmartClaim app and make sure you’re enrolled in direct deposit (otherwise, they’ll mail you a check).

  Aflac’s One Day Pay program sends you money within — you guessed it — a day, but it’s only accessible through filing a SmartClaim electronically. Steps to completion include:

  • • 1. Log into my Aflac.com or download the Aflac SmartClaim app.
      2. Click Start a Smart Claim online or File a Claim on the app.
      3. Gather and submit your documentation. You can upload claims documents digitally (either scan or take pictures of your files with a smartphone).
      4. Verify your information and hit SUBMIT DOCUMENT(S).
      5. Track the status of your claims in the Message Center.

  2. Download Aflac’s online forms, fill them out and fax them over.

  3. Submit a claim via snail mail by printing out the applicable forms and mailing them to:
  Aflac
  1932 Wynnton Road
  Columbus, GA 31999

  What info do I need to make a claim?

  In most cases, Aflac will need additional information to pay out your claim, including:

  • • • Receipts
      • Medical records
      • Healthcare provider information

  If you’re missing the necessary docs when you start the claim, you can add them later by clicking My Claims after logging in.

• Who should I contact to dispute an Aflac claims decision?

  Submit an appeal to Aflac by filling out its claim appeal form and faxing it to 888-659-1023 or mailing it to:
  Aflac Claims Appeals
  PO Box 84065
  Columbus, GA 31908-9998.

  You can appeal a claims decision up to three times per claim, and all appeals must be submitted within 180 days after the original decision is made.