unum.com
What is Unum.com
Unum Group — the company behind unum.com — is a major global provider of employee benefits and insurance solutions. (Wikipedia)
Unum offers group and individual benefits such as disability insurance, life insurance, accident and critical-illness cover, plus dental, vision, and other supplemental workplace-benefits plans. (Unum)
On the website unum.com, employers, HR professionals, brokers, and employees can explore, enroll in, or manage benefit plans — including leave management, claims filing, and benefit administration tools. (Unum)
Brief History & Scope
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The company dates back to 1848 (originally founded as Union Mutual Life Insurance Company) in Maine. (Wikipedia)
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Over time the company evolved. In 1999 it merged with another firm (the precursor to Provident Life and Accident Insurance Company) to become UnumProvident Corporation. (Wikipedia)
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In 2007 the company rebranded simply as Unum. (Wikipedia)
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Today Unum serves millions worldwide. Through group policies, it protects tens of millions of employees and their families globally. (Unum)
What Unum Offers — Services & Products
Unum's offerings cover a broad spectrum of employee-benefit solutions: (Unum)
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Disability Insurance — Short-term and long-term plans that replace a portion of income if an employee can’t work due to illness or injury. (Unum)
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Life Insurance — Term or whole-life policies, helping families cover expenses if the policyholder passes away. (Unum)
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Accident & Critical-Illness Insurance — Financial protection for employees in case of serious accident or critical illness. (Unum)
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Dental and Vision Insurance — Routine care coverage for eyes and teeth. (Unum)
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Supplemental and Voluntary Benefits / Worksite Benefits — Extra layers of financial protection or wellness/dependent coverage beyond core group plans. (Unum)
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HR-oriented Tools and Leave Management — Solutions like Unum HR Connect and Unum Total Leave help companies manage enrollment, eligibility, claims, and employee leave more efficiently. (Unum)
For employees enrolled under Unum, their portal offers claims filing, benefits tracking, leaves, and other self-service features. (Unum)
Organization & Global Presence
Unum Group operates internationally. Its business segments include:
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The U.S. market (group/individual disability, life, voluntary benefits) (Wikipedia)
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The U.K. market — providing income protection, critical-illness cover, life, dental, and other benefits. (Unum)
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Poland — via its subsidiary, providing group and individual life insurance. (Unum)
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Tech & service hubs (e.g. in Ireland) supporting global operations. (UnumGroup)
Unum claims to protect millions worldwide — covering employees and their families under group insurance policies. (Unum)
The company reports substantial investment in technology and benefits administration tools to stay ahead of evolving workforce and market needs. In 2023 alone, Unum reportedly invested over $200 million in modernization efforts. (Unum)
Recent Issues & Regulatory Matters
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In June 2024, U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) reached a settlement with Unum’s life-insurance subsidiary regarding certain practices around proof of insurability (i.e. health-status verification) and how dependents’ coverage dates were managed. (DOL)
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The settlement requires Unum to revise procedures so beneficiaries won’t be denied coverage solely on technicalities related to “insurability” — especially after 90 days of premium payments — and to make coverage-effective date terms more transparent. (DOL)
This highlighted a risk with group life-insurance products in which beneficiaries believed they had coverage — but were later denied because certain health-proof conditions weren’t satisfied at enrollment. (DOL)
Why Organizations or Individuals Might Choose Unum
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Broad benefit coverage: disability, life, accident, critical illness, dental, vision, supplemental — useful across life stages.
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Experience and scale: a long history going back to the 1800s, global operations, millions covered.
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Robust technology & administration: tools for HR, digital claims and leave-management, streamlined enrollment/administration.
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Recognized provider: one of the industry’s large players, especially in disability and workplace benefits markets.
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Flexibility: group and individual plans; employer-sponsored or voluntary benefits; portable in many cases.
Key Takeaways
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Unum is a long-established global insurer specializing in workplace and employee benefits.
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Through unum.com, it provides digital tools for enrollment, claims, and benefit management for employees, employers, and brokers.
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Its offerings span disability, life, accident, critical-illness, dental, vision, and various supplemental benefits.
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The company operates across the United States, the U.K., Poland, and other markets, covering millions of workers and families.
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While generally recognized as a major benefits provider, it has faced regulatory scrutiny — such as the 2024 settlement with the U.S. Department of Labor regarding insurability and coverage transparency.
FAQ
Q: Is Unum only for large companies?
Not necessarily. Unum offers benefit plans suitable for companies of various sizes — from large firms to small businesses — and also offers supplemental/voluntary plans for individuals or employers seeking additional coverage. (Unum)
Q: What kinds of insurance does Unum provide?
They provide disability insurance (short- and long-term), life insurance (term and whole-life), accident insurance, critical-illness insurance, dental, vision, and supplemental workplace benefits. (Unum)
Q: Can employees manage their benefits online at Unum?
Yes. Through the Unum portal, employees can file claims, request leave, update their information, and manage their benefit plans online. (Unum)
Q: Does Unum operate outside the United States?
Yes. In addition to the U.S., Unum serves clients and offers benefits in markets like the U.K., Poland, and operates international business-support centers (e.g. in Ireland). (Unum)
Q: Has Unum faced controversies or regulatory problems?
In 2024, the U.S. Department of Labor settled with Unum regarding certain life-insurance practices, requiring changes to how coverage for dependents and proof-of-insurability are handled. This illustrates potential risks when coverage terms are not clearly communicated. (DOL)
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