1.800.514.0010
Several Reasons:
Our corporate structure is the best in the business for protecting member rights. You get a written, enforceable contract that can only be changed by mutual agreement of both parties. You have the security of knowing that the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services audits our performance every year to make sure that LECMPA is being managed for the benefit of the members.
As a member, you are an OWNER of the Association. And since we are tax-exempt, we can concentrate on using our members’ money to pay covered claims, not trying to satisfy shareholders who aren’t union transportation workers.
Our members are our owners. We are tax-exempt and have no investors who want to make money from our operation. This lets us concentrate on paying covered claims and doing what is best for our members.
No. LECMPA is an independent, member-owned Association, not affiliated with any labor organization. We support all transportation labor. Our responsibility is only to our own members.
LECMPA members are employed in a variety of transportation industry crafts and trades. Requirements for membership include:
Once your completed application reaches our office, you should be covered within two to four business days.
Yes, you will receive a policy with the details of your coverage. You will also receive a copy of the application. Remember, your application is part of the policy. Be sure to check both over carefully for accuracy. Put the policy in a place where you can easily find it.
Complete an Application for Membership. You can qualify for LECMPA coverage here.
Yes, just contact your agent or the state manager. Find your local agent/state manager.
Once we receive your completed policy application, if you are eligible, your policy will be issued effective in two to four business days.
No. Once the application is approved, you will receive the balance of the application month and the entire following month free.
If you select payroll deduction to pay your premiums, the deduction for the third month will occur sometime during your second month, depending upon the carrier. This is because it usually takes payroll payments two months to reach us.
If you choose to pay by automatic check or electronic funds transfer from your checking account, you have to provide a voided check at the time of application. Premiums are due in advance, and are deducted on the second to last business day of each month. This means your first payment will be taken at the end of month two.
If you choose to pay by credit card you must provide your credit card number at the time of application. Credit card payments are deducted on the 20th of each month. This means your first premium payment will be deducted on the 20th of month two.
LECMPA coverage is calculated based on a 7-day week, so you need to start with your average gross monthly wage. Take that amount and divide by 30 for the acceptable daily rate. Remember that coverage is issued in increments of $3. So for example, if your average monthly gross is $3,600: $3,600/30 = $120/day maximum.
LECMPA insures your “average daily wage,” which means your taxable income for services provided to your employer. Expense allowances, “per diem,” and similar types of reimbursement are not wages, and LECMPA cannot insure them. You can generally tell the difference because wages are taxed and other types of payments are not. If you are in doubt, contact the Home Office to discuss your concerns.
You can call us toll free during business hours at 1-800-514-0010, or request forms on our website. Click here to request claim forms.
When you request claim forms, we will send you a packet with an explanation of what we need. You will need to complete a Notice of Claim, which includes an explanation of the incident resulting in discipline. You must also file a witness statement, a copy of your charge letter, discipline notice, and a copy of a recent pay stub and voided check. In some cases, you may be asked for additional information, such as a transcript of Investigation or work history.
In order to be fair, we review claims in the order in which they are received. Most claims are reviewed within a week of when all documents are received. We make claims payments weekly.
We pay claims on Wednesdays, by electronic transfer to the bank account of your choice. You will be paid until your policy limit is reached or you are offered return to service, whichever comes first.
Until your suspension is completed, you are offered reinstatement, or your policy limit is reached, whichever happens first.
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.
No. When a member succeeds in recovering lost wages from an employer, after appealing discipline, LECMPA does not require repayment of dispersed claim money.
If a member is off work for an entire calendar month due to military or reserve leave, medical leave for illness or injury, FMLA leave, furlough or taking a full-time position with a union or an exempt position, he or she can suspend their policy and do not need to pay premiums for that time.
A member cannot inactivate their policy if he or she is off of work due to discipline. This applies to those who have not or do not intend to file a claim for benefits and those who have already exhausted their job insurance benefits. Premium payments must be kept current the entire time a member is off of work due to discipline.
If a policy has been inactivated, it is the member’s responsibility to notify the Home Office to reactivate the policy once he or she returns to work.
If you select payroll deduction to pay your premiums, the deduction for the third month will occur sometime during your second month of coverage, depending upon the carrier. This is because it usually takes payroll deduction payments a month to reach us.
We require payment in advance, so your payment must be received in the Home Office by the last business day of this month for next month’s premium. For example, we must have your May payment in hand no later than April 30 or the last business day of April.
You have a 10-day grace period to bring your account up to date. We will notify you by mail if your account with us is delinquent. After ten days, your policy will not be in force and you would not be eligible for benefits if you are held out of service. After 30 days your Accidental Death coverage will also lapse. Late payments can be made by calling the office, online or by check. Contact the Billing Department to update credit/debit cards or bank accounts in order to make sure your premium payments stay up to date.
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.
You can pay in advance for a year.
VISA, MasterCard, Discover or American Express.
LECMPA issues reminders/notices to anyone who pays annually or semi-annually. You will receive a payment reminder in the mail about a month before your next payment is due. However, we do not send payment reminders or statements for any monthly payment method, whether payroll deduction, check, credit card or automatic payment. You are required to make regular monthly payments. If your payment is not received by the 11th of the month that is owed, you will receive a notice stating that your policy has lapsed and you will not have coverage until your policy is brought up to date. Once your premium is paid, your coverage will resume the next day.
Need more information about LECMPA?
I’m a railroader who grew up in railroad households, where Soo Line callers would ring my engineer dad and conductor grandfather at all hours. During college, I landed summer employment with the railroad. Then, in May of 1998, I was hired onto “the Chessie” and spent the next 23 years working the road in engine service and serving as a union officer. Like my father and grandfather, I made the wise decision to purchase job insurance.
I’m a railroader who grew up in railroad households, where Soo Line callers would ring my engineer dad and conductor grandfather at all hours. During college, I landed summer employment with the railroad. Then, in May of 1998, I was hired onto “the Chessie” and spent the next 23 years working the road in engine service and serving as a union officer. Like my father and grandfather, I made the wise decision to purchase job insurance.
I was employed by UPS for 38 years, serving as a package car driver and feeder truck driver from St. Louis to Earth City, MO. I served as a union shop steward for 25 years. My wife and I have two children and two grandchildren. My hobbies include travel, property rehabilitation, and spending time with family.
I strongly believe in our product. I was a LECMPA policyholder myself and I’m personally committed to making sure my union brothers and sisters are aware of the peace of mind our coverage can provide. My mission is to continue to reach, teach, and guide others on this valuable asset that solely protects your income should you be placed in the position of suspension or termination.
I’m a railroader who grew up in railroad households, where Soo Line callers would ring my engineer dad and conductor grandfather at all hours. During college, I landed summer employment with the railroad. Then, in May of 1998, I was hired onto “the Chessie” and spent the next 23 years working the road in engine service and serving as a union officer. Like my father and grandfather, I made the wise decision to purchase job insurance.
I’m a railroader who grew up in railroad households, where Soo Line callers would ring my engineer dad and conductor grandfather at all hours. During college, I landed summer employment with the railroad. Then, in May of 1998, I was hired onto “the Chessie” and spent the next 23 years working the road in engine service and serving as a union officer. Like my father and grandfather, I made the wise decision to purchase job insurance.
I am a 4th generation railroader, and becoming a railroader myself seemed like the natural decision — it was all I knew. I started as a manager with Union Pacific for 10 years and I have been a trainman for the past 16 years. I was a yardmaster in South Oakland, MTO in Stockton, CA, and a Senior MTO in Roseville, CA. I’ve been in Stockton, CA since I returned to train service and I am the Vice Local Chairman for Division 283 out of Oakland. My wife Christina and I have four children — Rylee, Haley, Hannah, and Cade. My free time is mostly spent following my daughter from softball field to softball field as she tries to earn her college scholarship. I also enjoy going to concerts with my wife. I’ve been with LECMPA for 11 years. I do what I do because I enjoy the travel, and the most rewarding part of this job is being able to call our members when their claim has been approved.
I’m a railroader who grew up in railroad households, where Soo Line callers would ring my engineer dad and conductor grandfather at all hours. During college, I landed summer employment with the railroad. Then, in May of 1998, I was hired onto “the Chessie” and spent the next 23 years working the road in engine service and serving as a union officer. Like my father and grandfather, I made the wise decision to purchase job insurance.
I’m a railroader who grew up in railroad households, where Soo Line callers would ring my engineer dad and conductor grandfather at all hours. During college, I landed summer employment with the railroad. Then, in May of 1998, I was hired onto “the Chessie” and spent the next 23 years working the road in engine service and serving as a union officer. Like my father and grandfather, I made the wise decision to purchase job insurance.
BNSF was hiring after my time in the Army ended. It was the best job in the area with the best benefits. I worked in the Illinois/Chicago Divisions then transferred to the Gulf/Red River Division. I have been assigned to several locations throughout my 24 years of service, including Galesburg IL, Chicago, Peoria, West Quincy, Creston, IA, Lacrosse, WI, New Orleans, and Lafayette, LA. My wife Jennifer and I have four kids — Olivia, Angelle, Zachary, and Beau, and one Grandson, Casey Jr. Throughout my 20 years with LECMPA, I’ve loved going above and beyond to help people. Our job isn’t just about selling insurance. It’s about making sure that they have peace of mind knowing that they will be taken care of if something were to happen.
I’m a railroader who grew up in railroad households, where Soo Line callers would ring my engineer dad and conductor grandfather at all hours. During college, I landed summer employment with the railroad. Then, in May of 1998, I was hired onto “the Chessie” and spent the next 23 years working the road in engine service and serving as a union officer. Like my father and grandfather, I made the wise decision to purchase job insurance.
I’m a railroader who grew up in railroad households, where Soo Line callers would ring my engineer dad and conductor grandfather at all hours. During college, I landed summer employment with the railroad. Then, in May of 1998, I was hired onto “the Chessie” and spent the next 23 years working the road in engine service and serving as a union officer. Like my father and grandfather, I made the wise decision to purchase job insurance.
I was hired on as an assistant signalman with CSX Transportation in May of 1990, before being granted a signalman position on a maintenance team in Tampa, FL. I have worked as an electronic signal specialist in the CSX Dispatch Center in Jacksonville, FL for the last 31 years. I am also the Vice General Chairman of the SE General Committee of the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen. I’ve been married to my high school sweetheart for over 32 years and have three children. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time traveling with my family, fishing, and playing golf. I started as an LECMPA Florida State agent in March of 2009. I truly enjoy working for LECMPA, as it allows me to help fellow transportation workers protect their income against heavy-handed discipline handed down by big corporations.
I’m a railroader who grew up in railroad households, where Soo Line callers would ring my engineer dad and conductor grandfather at all hours. During college, I landed summer employment with the railroad. Then, in May of 1998, I was hired onto “the Chessie” and spent the next 23 years working the road in engine service and serving as a union officer. Like my father and grandfather, I made the wise decision to purchase job insurance.
I started working for Union Pacificat at just 18 years old. I went back to school in 1986, earning a BA in economics. I worked in the railroad industry for 32 years, with UPRR from 1972-1986, WCRC from 1986-1996, and BNSF from 1996-2005. My assignments have included: Maintenance of Way, Brakeman, Conductor, Engineer, Agent, Dispatcher, Sales Manager, and Vice President of Marketing. My union roles have included serving as a Local Chairman. My wife Donna and I have four sons, Jeremy, Sean, Cody, and Jerry. I enjoy hobbies such as scuba diving, traveling, motorcycles, fishing, and golf. I have been with LECMPA for 23 years. My greatest reward is when a member calls to thank me because his claim was paid. We save homes and families — what could be better?
I’m a railroader who grew up in railroad households, where Soo Line callers would ring my engineer dad and conductor grandfather at all hours. During college, I landed summer employment with the railroad. Then, in May of 1998, I was hired onto “the Chessie” and spent the next 23 years working the road in engine service and serving as a union officer. Like my father and grandfather, I made the wise decision to purchase job insurance.
I’m a railroader who grew up in railroad households, where Soo Line callers would ring my engineer dad and conductor grandfather at all hours. During college, I landed summer employment with the railroad. Then, in May of 1998, I was hired onto “the Chessie” and spent the next 23 years working the road in engine service and serving as a union officer. Like my father and grandfather, I made the wise decision to purchase job insurance.
I started working for Union Pacificat at just 18 years old. I went back to school in 1986, earning a BA in economics. I worked in the railroad industry for 32 years, with UPRR from 1972-1986, WCRC from 1986-1996, and BNSF from 1996-2005. My assignments have included: Maintenance of Way, Brakeman, Conductor, Engineer, Agent, Dispatcher, Sales Manager, and Vice President of Marketing. My union roles have included serving as a Local Chairman. My wife Donna and I have four sons, Jeremy, Sean, Cody, and Jerry. I enjoy hobbies such as scuba diving, traveling, motorcycles, fishing, and golf. I have been with LECMPA for 23 years. My greatest reward is when a member calls to thank me because his claim was paid. We save homes and families — what could be better?
I’m a railroader who grew up in railroad households, where Soo Line callers would ring my engineer dad and conductor grandfather at all hours. During college, I landed summer employment with the railroad. Then, in May of 1998, I was hired onto “the Chessie” and spent the next 23 years working the road in engine service and serving as a union officer. Like my father and grandfather, I made the wise decision to purchase job insurance.