Health benefits serve as another way OOIDA fights for truckers

Striving to offer the most comprehensive benefits is the mission of OOIDA’s Life and Health Department.

Short-term disability insurance, life insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance and more are thoughtfully selected to meet the needs of Association members.

Kari Russell, manager of the Life and Health Department, noted the versatility of the team is key.

“We all have very different duties within the department,” she said. “Our department handles all personal lines of insurances for our members and their families. We deal with statements, billings, cancellations, reinstatements and more. But we have to have knowledge of all departments for our purpose, which is fighting for the rights of truckers.”

She added that the department’s tasks and roles can be fluid from day to day.

“Our management team is very hands-on. I still take calls daily and I love that interaction with our members,” Russell said. “My job is not only to oversee the department but also to work with our insurers. I do a lot of the contracting and renewals for the insurance products we offer to our members. I’m still a licensed agent and will maintain that status across the U.S. so I can be an agent when needed.”

As with many of the Association’s efforts, strength in numbers is critical for more affordable services for members and their families.

A prime example is the occupational accident policy offered to OOIDA members that has not seen a rate increase since 2006.

“That is not normal, but we are extremely proud of that,” Russell said. “We maintain rates on most of our products for years at a time and have a great track record.”

Support specialist Sheri Shepherd, who’s been with OOIDA since 2007, noted that in the event rates go up, the Life and Health Department’s focus shifts to finding a better rate.

“It’s not a one-size-fits-all; you have to be able to anticipate the needs of all the different types of members that we have,” Russell said. “We do that as much as we can.”

Engaging with members is a way to better understand those needs while reminding them the Association is 100% behind them.

“Whenever I get to talk to a member, it just makes everything come together,” Shepherd said. “It’s not just being behind the desk and putting a report in. A lot of people don’t realize all the benefits they actually have being a member. There’s so much.”

Billing specialist Kim Richardson has worked at OOIDA since 2005 in Life and Health as well as in Accounting. Numbers are a big part of her role, but not when it comes to OOIDA members.

“They’re not just a number to us,” Richardson said. “We really go above and beyond to service each member. They can feel that, and they appreciate it a lot.”

Speaking with an actual person rather than an automated system is another benefit of these calls for members in search of clarification, especially with a recent surge in scams that’s commonly resulted in credit card declines.

“We’ll call them and they’ll say, ‘Sorry, I got hacked again at the fuel pumps,’” Richardson said. “That’s where they get hacked, and they’re constantly having to get new cards. Our identity theft service is great in these instances.”

It’s worth noting that many benefits, such as identity theft protection and travel assistance, are included in some policies. The Life and Health Department at OOIDA is happy to explain all policies and to do everything possible to work with members.

“We give extra time and work with people as much as we can, and that goes a long way,” Richardson said.

Just having someone talk to them and value their time is enough in many cases, Shepherd added.

And beyond this, suggestions from members about services are taken into serious consideration.

“We do listen. We’re here for our members and have a lot of pride in that,” Russell said. “To have the team we have, everyone plays an integral role in our success. These members are our family, and we love what we do.” LL