The benefit of Life Insurance Policy

Is this an unexpected benefit of your life insurance policy?

Len Archer received a terrible prognosis from his doctor just six months after retiring from the Richmond, Virginia, Fire Department after 32 years of service. He had pancreatic cancer, and his prognosis was likely two to eight months.

Len, 56, and his wife, Paula, went from planning their retirement to preparing for what looked to be the unavoidable in an instant.

Len contacted Cancer Treatment Centers of America® at the suggestion of a friend to see if there was any chance. Within a day, he received notification of a trial research with the pharmaceutical giant Merck & Co.® But there was a catch: Len's health insurance would not cover the expensive experimental therapy.

Len swore soon after his cancer diagnosis that he would not let the disease bankrupt them and leave his wife "living under a bridge" after his death. The Archers were now confronted with the agonising option of depleting their funds and selling the ideal home they bought a decade earlier or skipping the therapy.

Doug Cox, Len's ERIE agent, called at that point.

'It Was Literally A Lifesaver.'

Doug, who had previously worked with Len at the fire department, was aware of his condition. Doug had given his friend a life insurance policy years earlier.

Erie Family Life offered an Accelerated Death Benefit Rider* as part of the $150,000 policy at no extra cost. This rider provides for the use of half of the policy's value in the case of a terminal diagnosis

“It was as if an angel was speaking to me when Doug called,” Len remarked. “I had entirely forgotten that such a thing existed.” The rider contributed $75,000, which was promptly transferred into Len's bank account. The extra cash made Len's decision a no-brainer. He would proceed with the experimental treatment without having to sell his home or deplete his funds.

“It actually saved my life,” Len adds. “The $75,000 provided us with the breathing space we needed to get our finances in order and keep the wolves at bay. We were able to make some financial decisions and are now doing well.”

Surprisingly, it is not simply Len's finances that are doing better than planned. The therapy is now yielding excellent effects for him. The disease has stopped progressing, and physicians are cautiously optimistic that he may be able to extend his life by many months, if not years.

Get The Best Life Insurance in your Location

He's already been able to celebrate his granddaughter's 13th birthday, which he never thought he'd be able to do.

“ERIE gave us hope and gave me a purpose to live,” Len adds. “In a nutshell, Doug Cox and ERIE saved my life.”

Len has been an advocate for a law introduced in Virginia to assist firemen diagnosed with cancer, which they believe is caused by the rising quantity of chemicals they are exposed to on the job.

And he's pushing everyone he knows to speak with an ERIE agent about life insurance and add this rider to their policy.

“Give yourself peace of mind—and a fighting chance,” advises Len. “Call an ERIE representative right now to ensure you have enough life insurance coverage. You won't be sorry.”

To learn more about the Accelerated Death Benefit Rider, contact your local ERIE agent, who will assist you explore your options depending on your unique situation and determine which coverage is best for you.