DBL Center helps its brokers support their clients through this difficult time
In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, business owners and employees in New York and New Jersey have many questions about short-term disability and paid family leave coverage. DBL Center, the family-owned and operated wholesale insurance general agency specializing in statutory short-term disability benefits, is here to answer questions and supply its insurance brokers with the information they need to help business owners and benefits managers across the region.
Common Questions about Short Term Disability and COVID-19
In this tumultuous time, employers and employees may wonder:
- Will short-term disability cover their absence from work if they are diagnosed with the virus and hospitalized or quarantined?
- Can they make a disability claim if they have been placed under quarantine but have not tested positive for the virus?
- Can they make a Paid Family Leave claim to stay home and care for school-age children?
DBL Center, its network of brokers, and its trusted carriers, are working hard to provide timely answers to these questions and many others.
To better serve their customers, DBL Center brokers can reach a knowledgeable DBL Center representative at any time, 24/7, through the company’s new chat feature on its website.
Coronavirus and Short-term Disability Policies: What You Need to Know
Right now, a coronavirus diagnosis or quarantine does not constitute automatic approval of a short-term disability claim in New York or New Jersey. Some policies from certain carriers, however, may carry quarantine provisions.
If an employee is sick and unable to work due to COVID-19, these claims will be determined on a case by case basis, depending on the severity and length of the illness. Some cases requiring hospitalization may qualify for short-term disability in New York and New Jersey.
Claims submitted with a diagnosis of coronavirus will be evaluated based on all applicable contract provisions. The insured will need to provide proof that they are under the care of a Health Care Provider that can certify the disability and that the employee is unable to perform their job duties either in the workplace or via remote access.
PFL and the Coronavirus
New York State PFL claims for paid time off to care for children over a year old who are home from school because their school closed may be denied. If a child is diagnosed with COVID-19, PFL claims would be determined on an individual basis, depending on the severity of the illness.
Working from Home During the COVID-19 Pandemic
In an attempt to flatten the curve and reduce the spread of the virus, we understand that many P&C brokers who manage disability policies will be working remotely. DBL Center is here to support these brokers online and by phone.
“Our brokers have the ability to Bind DBL policies UNDER 50 lives from any internet-enabled computer, whether at home or in the office in order to keep the economy moving,” says Michael S. Cohen, DBL Center President and CEO. “Our exclusive Broker Dashboard gives our brokers access to all their policies and preferred carriers from any internet-enabled device, as well. During these challenging times, we will do everything we can to help our brokers support the businesses they serve with the information they need. We feel it’s important for everyone to work together as we face this unprecedented situation.”
About The DBL Center Ltd.
Celebrating 40+ years in the insurance industry, The DBL Center services 100,000 insured corporations through 4,000 brokers across 15 states as a wholesale insurance general agency. The DBL Center specializes in Disability Benefits Law (DBL) and PFL (Paid Family Leave) coverage in New York, Temporary Disability Benefits (TDB) in New Jersey, and Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI) in Hawaii. The DBL Center also underwrites, manages and maintains Group Life/AD&D, vision, and dental packages, as well as individual life and income replacement policies, giving brokers and their customers the benefits of multi-line discounts and a single point-of-contact.
Through its dedication to personalized, concierge-level service, The DBL Center Ltd. remains true to its roots as a family- owned and operated, relationship-focused wholesale insurance agency.
InsuranceWholesaler.net is the company’s gateway to premium service, low insurance rates, and high commissions.
For more information, visit InsuranceWholesaler.net, call (631) 293.5100 or connect with us on LinkedIn.
