Chicago auto accident attorneys at Abels & Annes are often butting heads with State Farm Insurance. We usually have multiple claims pending against them and we have had jury trials against them twice in the past six months.
That being said, when State Farm takes a step in the right direction, we should give them credit.
It is being reported by WGN news that State Farm announced on Friday it will start offering healthcare and other benefits to legally recognized same-sex partners of its employees. This action was taken due to the fact that Illinois will soon allow civil unions between gay and lesbian couples.
The eligibility for the insurance carrier’s group healthcare and welfare plans will apply to all agents, employees and retirees. The changes will take effect starting June 1, 2011, the same day the Illinois law goes into effect. The benefits will include medical, vision, dental, spouse life, spouse voluntary accidental death and dismemberment, and long-term care insurance.
State Farm was only legally required to expand it’s benefits partially, but the insurer decided to expand the benefits in total and equally across the board.
The insurance carrier had not previously offered benefits to same-sex partners, unlike 57% of Fortune 500 companies that did 2010. The article goes on to state that Exelon and Allstate already offer such benefits, while Peoria-based Caterpillar does not.
Click here to read the story as reported by ChicagoPride.com and the Chicago Tribune.