Empire Life expands expat group benefits offerings

KINGSTON, Ontario, May 09, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Empire Life Insurance Company (Empire Life) (TSX:EML.PR.A) announced today it is introducing a new expat benefit for customers with employees working on short-term assignment outside of Canada. International Business Travel Medical provides coverage to employees and their dependants for emergency medical care and urgent care in other countries¹. It is part of the Empire Life Voyageur Global Benefits portfolio, administered by MetLife.

Empire Life is also launching Voyageur Global Benefits in Quebec. Voyageur Global Benefits offers world-class benefits for Canadians working abroad and features the MetLife Regional Service Centre model. Located in key areas around the world, the Centres help members access local resources while on assignment. Experienced staff provide local expertise and understanding of regional differences, making it easier to obtain quality medical care, arrange payment for services, and receive local support.

International Business Travel Medical offers a range of optional coverage, so business owners can customize the benefit to meet their needs. The benefit is also portable, which means employees can maintain the same benefit level in every country and territory. International Business Travel Medical provides 24/7 service and multilingual travel assistance. Business travelers can speak to a customer service representative anytime, anywhere to receive a range of services?including emergency evacuation and emergency legal assistance to help with lost or stolen documents and luggage.

?We're delighted to be working with MetLife, launching International Business Travel Medical across Canada and introducing our full suite of expat benefits to the Quebec market,? said Steve Pong, Senior Vice-President, Group Solutions at Empire Life. ?With nearly 60 years in the market, MetLife has vast experience when it comes to expatriate benefits. They administer the employee benefits of thousands of expatriates around the world. They have the breadth and depth of experience required to deliver the service excellence that both of our organizations are known for.?

The number of Canadians living abroad has increased substantially in the past two decades, which has increased demand for expatriate benefits both for short and longer term assignments. Recent reports estimate 2.8 million Canadians are living abroad.²

?Working abroad can be both exciting and challenging for expatriates and their families,? said Ann Deugo,  Vice President, MetLife Expatriate Benefits. ?With the International Business Travel Medical plan,  customers have access to emergent and urgent care via our robust network of healthcare providers in over 180 countries, which helps deliver peace of mind no matter where they are in the world. We are very pleased to be working with Empire Life, and together, look forward to bringing innovative solutions to the Canadian market.?

About Empire Life
Established in 1923 and a subsidiary of E-L Financial Corporation Limited, Empire Life provides individual and group life and health insurance, investment and retirement products to Canadians. The Company's mission is to make it simple, fast and easy for Canadians to get the investment, insurance and group benefits coverage they need to build wealth, generate income, and achieve financial security. As of December 31, 2016 Empire Life had total assets under management of $16.1 billion. Follow Empire Life on Twitter @EmpireLife or visit www.empire.ca for more information

Tweet this: #EmpireLife adds new expat benefit with #MetLife to its Voyageur Global Benefits
Tweet this: #EmpireLife launches expat benefits in Quebec market  with #MetLife

About MetLife
MetLife, Inc. (NYSE:MET), through its subsidiaries and affiliates ("MetLife"), is one of the largest life insurance companies in the world. Founded in 1868, MetLife is a global provider of life insurance, annuities, employee benefits and asset management. Serving approximately 100 million customers, MetLife has operations in nearly 50 countries and holds leading market positions in the United States, Japan, Latin America, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. For more information, visit www.metlife.com.

About Voyageur Global Benefits
Voyageur Global Benefits is a Canadian group insurance benefit program that is governed by the laws of Canada and that is underwritten by The Empire Life Insurance Company (Empire Life), an insurance company domiciled at 259 King Street East, Kingston, ON K7L 3A8. Empire Life is the Canadian insurance company that provides the benefits under the insurance policies it issues.

Voyageur Global Benefits is administered by Delaware American Life Insurance Company (MetLife Expatriate Benefits), a MetLife, Inc., affiliate domiciled at 600 North King Street, Wilmington, DE 19801, U.S.A., and MetLife Expatriate Benefits has agreed to provide administration services to Empire Life with regard to Voyageur Global Benefits.

¹ Emergency medical and travel assistance services are provided through AXA Assistance USA, Inc.

² Courtesy APF Canada 2011.