Empire Life launches a new group product designed to provide financial assistance to employees coping with serious illness

February 02, 2010 – Kingston, Ontario – The Empire Life Insurance Company (Empire Life) today introduced Vital Assist Health BenefitTM, a product that provides financial assistance to group plan members to help with additional medical expenses upon diagnosis of a serious illness.

Vital Assist Health Benefit is an optional component offered through 20Plus, the Company’s group benefits product designed for employers with 20 or more employees. If a plan member is diagnosed with one of four defined medical conditions, they receive a $5,000 lump-sum payment and are eligible for reimbursement of additional medical expenses up to $5,000 over the following 12 months.

“This is something we’re really excited about. It’s an innovative, cost-effective way employers can ease the financial pressures their employees face when recovering from a serious illness,” says Steve Pong, Senior Vice-President, Group Products. “And I’m very excited that we are offering both the lump sum payment and the added medical expense benefit to help employees and their families pay for additional medical costs which we all know can be a great burden.”

Upon eligible claim, employees who are diagnosed with cancer, heart attack or stroke or who undergo coronary artery bypass surgery can receive the Vital Assist Health Benefit. With a simplified approach to underwriting, employers can provide the Vital Assist Health Benefit option through their 20Plus plan. Employees in the group plan do not have to provide medical information to qualify for coverage and there are no exclusions for pre-existing medical conditions.

Empire Life group life and health coverage includes life insurance, disability insurance, extended health and dental care benefits for small and medium sized businesses across Canada.

About Empire Life

A subsidiary of E-L Financial Corporation Limited and in business since 1923, Empire Life helps Canadians build wealth and protect their financial security with competitive individual and group life and health insurance, investment and retirement products. The Company’s vision is to be the leading independently-owned Canadian financial services company committed to simplicity, being easy to do business with and having a personal touch. www.empire.ca.