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GLENVIEW, Ill., Feb. 23, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Combined Insurance, a leading provider of individual supplemental accident, disability, health, and life insurance products, and a Chubb company, is encouraging consumers to take time out during National Heart Health Month to determine their risk level for heart disease.

"Heart Health Month is a great time for individuals to reflect on their lifestyle and to check in with their healthcare provider to talk about their susceptibility for heart disease and a heart attack," says Jan Martin, Vice President, Product Innovation at Combined Insurance. "It is also a good time for consumers to determine how prepared they are for the financial impact a heart attack could have on them and their families."

The American Heart Association (AHA) estimates that an average hospital stay for someone with a heart condition in 2012 cost $20,758. What many people do not consider when evaluating their financial risk for a heart attack are the associated non-medical costs.

The AHA says that a person who suffers a heart attack will miss anywhere from two weeks to three months of work, depending on the severity of the attack. The median salary for a head of household was $46,303 in 2014, according to the Census Bureau, which means that a heart attack sufferer could lose (on average) up to $11,574 in salary, if they miss work for three months.

Meanwhile, the costs of living mount. The average monthly expenses just for food, housing, utilities, and car ownership for an average household in 2013 were in excess of $2,500, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Sick pay could help cover some of those expenses, but the BLS says that approximately 40 percent of workers—45 million people—did not receive one single day of sick pay in 2015.

In order to cover these costs, Martin recommends that consumers should use Heart Health Month to consider whether disability insurance makes sense for them. Disability insurance pays workers when they can't work, due to sickness or injury, and are under the care of a doctor.

"Consumers need to research plans and find out if an insurer offers disability insurance with first-day coverage—an important consideration, with 70 percent of Americans living paycheck to paycheck," says Martin.

One of Combined Insurance's fastest-growing products is SickPay Plus®, an innovative disability insurance product, which serves the needs of Americans who do not receive a single paid sick day when they are sick or hurt and can't work. Released nationwide earlier this year, SickPay Plus offers coverage starting the first day an individual misses work. SickPay Plus provides benefits of up to $2,000 a month for up to six months, paid directly to the policyholder to help pay daily living expenses, as well as co-pays, deductibles, and co-insurance costs. Similar insurance policies require the policyholder to wait 90 days or longer for coverage to begin, making it harder to stay on top of everyday bills.

To learn more about SickPay Plus, visit www.combinedinsurance.com/sickpayplus.

Combined Insurance has an A+ rating by the Better Business Bureau, and an A+ (Superior) financial strength rating by A.M. Best, one of the world's top insurance rating firms. The company has also been recognized for six consecutive years as a leading provider of supplemental insurance on Ward's 50® Top Performing Health-Life Insurance Companies list. Combined Insurance was also honored by G.I. Jobs® magazine as the number one Military Friendly® Employer for two consecutive years—2015 and 2016.

About Combined Insurance
Combined Insurance Company of America (Chicago, IL) is a leading provider of individual supplemental accident, disability, health and life insurance products and a Chubb company. With a field sales force and corporate staff in excess of 5,000 people worldwide, Combined Insurance meets the growing coverage needs of policyholders around the globe. For more information about Combined Insurance products, career opportunities or to contact a local sales agent, call 1-800-490-1322 or visit www.combinedinsurance.com.

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About SickPay Plus
The SickPay Plus insurance policy has exclusions and limitations. For costs and complete details of the coverage, call a Combined Insurance agent at (800) 490-1322 or visit www.combinedinsurance.com/sickpayplus. Not all product features are available in all states. In New York, life, accident & sickness, and disability insurance policies are issued by Combined Life Insurance Company of New York (Latham, NY).

About the New Chubb
Chubb is the world's largest publicly traded property and casualty insurance company. With operations in 54 countries, Chubb provides commercial and personal property and casualty insurance, personal accident and supplemental health insurance, reinsurance and life insurance to a diverse group of clients. The company is distinguished by its extensive product and service offerings, broad distribution capabilities, exceptional financial strength, underwriting excellence, superior claims handling expertise and local operations globally. Parent company Chubb Limited is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: CB) and is a component of the S&P 500 index. Chubb maintains executive offices in Zurich, New York, London and other locations, and employs approximately 30,000 people worldwide. Additional information can be found at: www.new.chubb.com.

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SOURCE Combined Insurance