Grinnell Mutual® Expands Identify Theft Coverage
Identity theft affects over 27,000 people a year. Now Identity Theft 911® and Grinnell Mutual have come together to offer even more preventive coverage to manage identity protection. “This is a crime that’s not going away,” said Rick Tjarks, assistant vice president of Reinsurance. “These additions will cover individuals in more situations where there’s a possibility of identity theft.” According to Claims Director Paul Pedersen, who has worked with identity theft claims for the past five years, identity management is a trend within the insurance industry. “People are looking for this type of coverage because of the amount of time it takes to get your identity back,” said Pedersen. He says retrieving a stolen identity can take between 120 and 140 hours of personal time.
Although Grinnell Mutual hasn’t had a large volume of identity theft claims—less than 100 “identity takeovers”— the new services are based on market conditions and trending forecasts from Identity Theft 911®. “We are a leader in the farm mutual industry by offering identity theft expense coverage and resolution services,” said Tjarks. “This product is right in the mainstream of the industry.
Combining the identity theft expense coverage with the Identity Theft 911®’ resolution service provides the policyholder outstanding protection.” The expanded services will be in addition to the current Identity Theft Resolution Service which provides coverage for identity fraud and document reconstruction from the perils of fire and wind (tornado). The new identity theft prevention services include travel services (international), relocation, medical, child risk, military identity assistance, document reconstruction, elder care, estate services, and auto-home break-in coverage.
Senior Vice President of Direct Claims Mac McDonald said, “the new enhancements are substantial and will significantly increase the number of claims being processed.” FarMutual policyholders, through the Farm-Guard and Home-Guard policies, and Grinnell Mutual employees receive Identity Theft 911® protection as part of the base policy without charge.
Grinnell Mutual is pleased to announce that the same coverages are being provided to all member mutuals and agents, including their employees and family members residing in the household under the age of 25. The same expanded coverages will be provided, along with breach security services.
When a customer requests identity resolution services, Identity Theft 911® will assign a personal advocate to assist the victim with the completion of a Federal Trade Commission affidavit; place calls to police departments, creditors, and credit rating agencies; and set up a case file for insurance claims and law enforcement investigations.
“They are just wonderful people,” said Tjarks. “I don’t know how we’d get anyone better. They’re very caring, calm, compassionate people.”
Not only are the people amazing, but so is the facility. The building has no internet connection to the outside world so clients can be assured their information is completely confidential. Employees are screened before being escorted in by security guards—no cell phones or personal belongings are allowed in the office area. “Everything is self-contained,” said Pedersen. “It’s pretty amazing.”
For more information, visit www.gmrc-idtheft.com or www.identitytheft911.com.