{coyotes} NHLPA working to restore players' canceled insurance

The NHL Players' Association has advised players Tuesday that it will be paying for the cost to restore all of the insurance coverage that the NHL eliminated for its players and their families after the lockout began this weekend.

According to the NHLPA memo, "NHL has instructed the insurers to cancel all insurance coverage, effective September 16, 2012. This includes Medical and Dental coverage for Players and their families, Disability insurance, Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment insurance, and Spousal Life insurance."

The memo stated that all players who have not signed as a free agent in another league or have not retired are eligible for the continuation of coverage if they meet one more of this criteria:

70 or more NHL regular-season days on the active roster in the 2011-12 season

160 or more NHL regular season games played (including games dressed as backup for goalies)

Have an NHL standard players contract (SPC) for the 2012-13 season, are locked out by his NHL team and not playing in another professional league in the 2012-13 season.

In the memo, NHLPA informed players that it had made arrangements to increase career-ending disability benefits to cover the amounts previously provided under the canceled NHL policy.

Depending on the players' age, the disability payout ranges from $75,000 to $370.000.

The memo warns players that the NHLPA disability doesn't cover their NHL contract, which is an important issue for those NHL players going to Europe to play.

"Players are responsible for securing their own disability insurance, either personally or through the team," the memo states, "to cover the value of your NHL SPC."

Entertainment Plaza - TV, Movies, Sports, Music
http://members.shaw.ca/almosthuman99

Babe Of The Month
http://members.shaw.ca/almosthuman99/babeofthemonth.html

Hunk Of The Month
http://members.shaw.ca/almosthuman99/babeofthemonthman.html