Allstate Benefits Expands into Canada to help Employers and Canadians with Critical Illness Solutions

NORTHBROOK, Ill., Sept. 17, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- No one ever expects to face a major illness. But according to the Canadian Cancer Society, nearly 197,000 new cases of cancer will occur in Canada this year. An estimated 70,000 Canadian citizens will have a heart attack.1 One in 10 Canadians already has kidney disease.2 The statistics bring to light the importance of families being prepared so they can have better choices when it comes to their care.

Allstate Benefits, ranked the No. 1 voluntary benefits provider in the United States3, wants to help find solutions for Canadian employers and citizens. Allstate Benefits is expanding its business into Canada and offering critical illness products and services that employers can offer their employees.

"We are excited to announce we are bringing this industry-leading product to Canada as our first Group Voluntary product offering available to Canadian employers for their employees," says Gregory Guidos, Allstate Benefits president. "We have proven experience as a provider of critical illness benefits as evident of the more than 40,000 employers and three million employees we help take care of in the United States. By creating innovative products, we're reinventing protection to help businesses add value, engage employees, and ultimately help improve customers' lives."

"Allstate Canada has been protecting Canadian homes and property from the unexpected for more than 60 years," says John O'Donnell, president and CEO of Allstate Insurance Company of Canada. "We are pleased to announce this new Canadian initiative offered by our Allstate Benefits division."

Allstate Benefits Critical Illness products help offer financial support when an insured person is diagnosed with a covered critical illness. Upon diagnosis and depending on which coverage is selected, a lump-sum cash benefit is paid for covered critical illnesses such as heart attack, stroke, major organ failure, kidney failure, invasive cancer, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and more.

"Imagine being seriously ill and having to miss work. Imagine the stress and fear that exists," said Guidos. "The benefit payments received from this coverage can go towards experimental treatment, drugs, clinical trials, expenses related to caregivers including family members. It helps empower people to seek the medical treatment they need. It provides some peace of mind by knowing the cash benefit can help cover some of the everyday expenses, such as rent or mortgage payments, daycare fees or utility bills."

For employers interested in learning more about Allstate Benefits in Canada, please visit www.allstatevoluntary.ca or contact [email protected].

Allstate Benefits is the marketing name used by American Heritage Life Insurance Company (Home Office, Jacksonville, FL) in the U.S. and also a trademark of Allstate Insurance Company, used under license by Allstate Insurance Company of Canada.

About Allstate CanadaAllstate Insurance Company of Canada is one of the country's leading producers and distributors of home and auto insurance products, serving Canadians since 1953. The company strives to keep its customers in "Good Hands®" as well as its employees, and has been listed as a Best Employer in Canada for three years in a row. Allstate Canada is committed to making a positive difference in the communities in which it operates and has partnered with organizations such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD Canada), United Way and Junior Achievement. To learn more about Allstate Canada, visit www.allstate.ca. For practical tips and advice in the areas of preparation, prevention and protection, visit the GOOD HANDS® blog at goodhandsadvice.ca.

About AllstateThe Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) is the nation's largest publicly held personal lines insurer, protecting approximately 16 million households from life's uncertainties through auto, home, life and other insurance offered through its Allstate, Esurance, Encompass and Answer Financial brand names. Allstate is widely known through the slogan "You're In Good Hands With Allstate®." The Allstate brand's network of small businesses offers auto, home, life and retirement products and services to customers in the United States and Canada. In the 20 years since Allstate became a fully independent public company, The Allstate Foundation, Allstate, its employees and agency owners have donated more than $405 million to support local communities.

1 The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada2 Kidney Foundation of Canada3 2014 U.S. Worksite Sales, LIMRA

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SOURCE Allstate Insurance Company