The Hartford's "Bicentennial Bags" serve many purposes

SIMSBURY, Conn. – The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. is recycling its Food For Thought Campaign for a third year by giving out thousands of reusable tote bags that celebrate its 200 years of history and commitment to protecting our planet and Americans’ paychecks.

The Hartford’s benefits specialists will hand out approximately 300,000 eco-friendly bags at health and benefits enrollment fairs of employer clients throughout the U.S. The Hartford’s research found a continued need for education about group disability insurance.

“Our national survey found only 25% of Americans said they completely understand disability insurance. Yet, there’s a real need for paycheck protection. In our survey, 95% of consumers would have to change their lifestyle if they lost part of their family’s income for three to six months,” said Mike Fish, vice president of marketing for The Hartford’s Group Benefits. “With our totes and our on-site enrollers, we hope to get the word out that employees can take simple steps to live green and keep the ‘green’ rolling in even if they’re too hurt or sick to work.”

More employees are being asked by their employers to help pay for benefits, according to The Hartford’s survey. “We have the experience and products to help employers and employees with the continuing trend of voluntary benefits. We have a diversity of plans that can help protect employers’ bottom line and employees’ income,” Fish said. “Our benefits specialists are available to answer employees’ questions about coverage and to help employees better understand how paycheck protection can play an important role in their family finances.”

In addition, Americans can better understand paycheck protection by calculating their chance of being disabled – or Personal Disability Quotient – and creating a customized insurance profile.

“As Americans shop for benefits this enrollment season, we encourage everyone to put disability insurance in their shopping bag,” Fish said.