Rail Operating Crafts
Benefits
What are the Benefits of LECMPA Wage Loss Protection?
Members can rest easy knowing that their family is protected from wage loss due to discipline. Many reasons make LECMPA your best value. Did you know that LECMPA offers the following additional benefits?
- Incidents are covered anywhere — on or off the clock.
- A binding contract protects your covered discipline days and daily rate.
- No money down to start wage loss protection policy.
- Up to $50,000 Accidental Death benefit covers you and your beneficiary* at no additional cost.
- Members can inactivate policy at no cost if off work due to medical/injury, furlough, military leave, or taking full-time union or exempt position. There is no loss of eligibility for the Loyalty Appreciation Dividend.
- Convenient payroll deduction on most railroads, as well as other payment methods, as a hassle-free and automatic way to pay your monthly premium and keep your policy current.
- Other forms of payment accepted: direct debit/electronic funds transfer, check and credit card.
- We offer a 20% discount for annual payments made by direct debit/electronic funds transfer or check and a 15% discount for annual payments made by credit card. We offer a 10% discount for semi-annual payments made by direct debit/electronic funds transfer or check and a 5% discount for semi-annual payments made by credit card.
- Local agents provide you with member support and service.
- Retirees benefit from our Loyalty Appreciation Dividend.
* Beneficiary Accidental Death Coverage not available in Texas or California
LECMPA was established in 1910 as a cooperative assessment insurer. Members now include workers in all union transportation crafts and trades who are concerned about losing income due to discipline.
Membership Eligibility Qualifications
Over 30,000 members strong
Our 30,000+ LECMPA members come from many sectors of the transportation industry, and various crafts and trades within those industries. Eligibility for membership involves meeting the following criteria:
- A union transportation worker in good standing and subject to discipline.
- Program eligibility determined by your previous incidents and discipline history.
- You must not be on any type of probation.
If you have more questions about eligibility for LECMPA coverage, read our eligibility FAQs. Out on furlough and want to inactivate your policy while still maintaining eligibility for our Loyalty Appreciation Dividend? Read our inactivating your policy FAQs.
Determine your specific coverage option:
What is Covered?
Different transportation unions, crafts and trades confront their own specific causes for discipline. LECMPA has coverage that is right for you. Listed below are example causes for which claims have been paid.
- Entering main track without authority
- Run through switches
- Operating outside track and time authority limits
- Signal violations
- Air brake and train handling violations
- Sideswiping cars
- Failure to properly secure consist
- Improperly lined switches
- Exceeding maximum authorized speed
- PTC violations
- Review allegations of dishonesty
Broad Claim Payouts
LECMPA has your back 24/7, on or off the clock. Our discipline incident payments include:
- Covered incidents anywhere — on or off the clock
- Accidental death coverage 24/7
- Accidental death coverage for beneficiary *
- Loyalty Program required membership — 5 years
- Tax-free Loyalty Appreciation dividend increases at a rate of $60 to $120 each year, depending on daily benefit
- Binding contract protects your covered discipline days
- Claim payments made weekly
- We offer a 20% discount for annual payments made by direct debit/electronic funds transfer or check, and a 15% discount for annual payments made by credit card. We offer a 10% discount for semi-annual payments made by direct debit/electronic funds transfer or check, and a 5% discount for semi-annual payment made by credit card
- Covered claims paid up to a policy limit whether you go to a disciplinary hearing or sign a waiver
* Beneficiary Accidental Death Coverage not available in Texas or California
Claims Payments
Covered claims paid up to policy limit whether you go to investigation or sign a waiver
Claim payments made weekly
Millions paid in claims each year
Repayment of benefits is not required if you are awarded payment of back wages from your employer or an award of arbitration
How Are Claims Handled?
One practice that sets LECMPA apart from other wage loss providers is the individual attention given to each and every claim. We look at all of the circumstances and facts surrounding claims and give the benefit of the doubt to our members whenever possible.
LECMPA understands that people need to get back to work promptly and that agreeing to discipline for a reduced charge (signing a waiver) gets a worker back on the job quickly. However, we do not assume a waiver means the member admits to any wrong-doing. In fact, LECMPA pays covered losses whether you sign a waiver or go to investigation.
Most claims made by LECMPA members are paid promptly and without incident. However, you have two opportunities to appeal a denied claim. You may ask the Appeal Board to review your claim. The Board is comprised of railroad and transportation labor professionals with decades of experience adjusting disciplinary cases. Our internal review usually takes about 60 days. You also have the right to request a review by the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services.
Need a Claim Form?
When you need to file a claim, call the Home Office: (800) 514-0010 to request claim forms and begin the claim process. Provide all the requested information to ensure your claim can be processed efficiently. LECMPA will review your claim promptly and affirm or deny coverage of claims. Claims are reviewed in the order in which they are received. We complete our review of most claims within a week of receipt of all necessary documentation.
Accidental Death Benefits
Job Insurance That Covers the Unexpected
Each year families of union transportation workers must deal with the devastating loss of a loved one. We hope this never happens to you but if it does, LECMPA has a plan that has you covered with 24/7 Accidental Death Benefits.
Since 2010, LECMPA has paid nearly $6 million in accidental death benefits, allowing members to protect their family and assets.
This benefit covers you and your beneficiary* at no extra charge which is just one more reason to become a member today.
* Beneficiary Accidental Death Coverage not available in Texas or California
Let LECMPA help identify an accidental death benefit that is right for you and your family.
Loyalty Appreciation Dividend
LECMPA has paid a dividend to members in 47 of the past 76 years, with close to $20 million returned just since 1995.
Did you know that LECMPA awards your membership when you retire?
LECMPA’s Loyalty Appreciation Dividend awards long-term membership. Members who have been with the Association five or more years at retirement receive a generous, tax-free payment.
The amount of your loyalty award is based on your years of membership and daily coverage amount. You receive a loyalty award even if you’ve had a claim! Loyalty award is calculated at the time you retire.
Our Loyalty Appreciation Dividend is just one more way we strive to serve our members and their families. The tax-free award is earned for each year premiums are received and paid out to the loyal member upon retirement.
With an average Loyalty Appreciation Dividend payment of $1,400, LECMPA gives back to loyal, eligible members when they retire. Depending on your length of membership and career, you receive a loyalty check as our way of saying thank you.
LECMPA awards our membership when they retire
After just 5 years as a LECMPA member you qualify for our Loyalty Appreciation Dividend.
Referral Program
It’s simple: if you refer a co-worker and they apply for membership and are approved, LECMPA will pay you a cash reward! Simply fill out the form below and include the names and contact information for co-workers that you’d like to refer and our team will contact you to complete the process.