GOLDSBORO, N.C. — Juanita Curtis has found her forever home in Goldsboro, and she’s on a mission to help her new community understand a critical gap in their insurance coverage. The licensed insurance agent, who moved to the area from Smithfield about a year and a half ago, recently hosted an educational event at the local Chamber of Commerce to discuss supplemental insurance – a product she believes most Americans are missing.

Understanding the Insurance Gap

Curtis’s recent “Donuts and Deductibles” event at the Chamber of Commerce aimed to educate both individuals and business owners about supplemental insurance – a product distinct from major medical insurance and life insurance that most people already know about.

“Most people know about major medical insurance. That’s going to be like your Blue Cross Blue Shield, your Cigna, your Aetna, your United,” Curtis explained. “And then most people know about life insurance. But what I find most people are missing is supplemental insurance.”

The need becomes clear when considering a sobering scenario: “God forbid you got sick or hurt and you couldn’t work for six months or a year. How would that affect you financially? Most people could not make it. Most people live paycheck to paycheck.”

The Financial Reality of Medical Emergencies

Curtis breaks down the costs associated with illness or injury into two categories: direct and indirect costs. While major medical insurance handles direct costs like doctor and hospital bills, indirect costs – such as lost income, mortgage payments, and out-of-pocket expenses – can devastate a family’s finances.

“While I’m a big proponent of life insurance and major medical, I am finding that most Americans lack when it comes to supplemental,” she said. “When you get sick or hurt, income goes down, expenses go up, and what do you do?”

Her company steps in during these situations, providing cash payments that recipients can use however they need – whether for mortgage payments, groceries, medical expenses, or even a family vacation during treatment.

Alarming Health Statistics Drive Need

Curtis supports her message with sobering statistics. According to the American Cancer Society, three out of four families will experience cancer, with one in three men and one in three women developing the disease. Cancer represents a $226 billion industry annually in America alone.

Heart disease and stroke statistics are equally concerning, causing one out of three deaths in the U.S., with over one million Americans expected to suffer heart attacks this year. Perhaps most surprising, accidents occur at a rate of 5,400 per hour in the United States, making them the leading cause of death for people aged 1 to 44.

“The ER and urgent care isn’t full for no reason,” Curtis noted. “These are things that if we had a crystal ball, we would know. But because we don’t have a crystal ball, when these things happen, they’re expensive.”

Affordable Coverage with Unique Benefits

Globe Life Family Heritage offers supplemental insurance plans starting as low as $10 per month, with four tiers of coverage available for different conditions including cancer, heart attack and stroke, accidents, ICU stays, and hospital indemnity.

“If you’re drinking Dunkin’ Donuts once a day or Red Bull once a day, if you can afford that every day or a couple of times a week, do the math,” Curtis said, emphasizing the affordability of basic coverage.

What sets Family Heritage apart from traditional insurance is their return-of-premium feature. If policyholders never file a claim, they receive all their money back on the 25th anniversary of their policy.

“Most people don’t get supplemental insurance because they kind of feel like, ‘I’m paying for something I may never use,'” Curtis explained. “When we get to tell people, listen, you’re going to get every dime that you don’t spend back, we see that jump from 15% to 30% to about 60% enrollment rate.”

Addressing Healthcare System Problems

Americans currently carry $74 billion in medical debt – and that’s among people who have insurance.

“We shouldn’t be paying all this money for medical insurance and then still have to turn around and use your credit card,” she said. “Something’s broken. The system is broken.”

She cites examples of insurance companies refusing to cover genetic testing for cancer patients wanting to determine their children’s risk, or declining to pay for necessary medications prescribed by doctors.

“Traditional insurance makes you gamble against yourself,” Curtis observed. “Either you’re sick or you’re wasting your money. Our insurance is different because it’s a win in every scenario.”

Supporting Local Businesses

Curtis also works with employers who want to offer benefits but lack the resources for traditional group insurance. Globe Life Family Heritage requires no minimum enrollment, no employer paperwork, and no payroll deductions.

“You could have 50 employees and one person wants it. We’re going to take care of that one person for you,” she said. “You get to offer this benefit to your employees, but you get to be totally hands off.”

Building Community Connections

For Curtis, her work goes beyond selling insurance policies. With her financial background, she takes time to understand each client’s unique situation and budget constraints.

“I’m not just that insurance person that’s going to just sign up and leave,” she said. “I literally want to figure out what you need. Some coverage is better than no coverage.”

Curtis encourages anyone interested in learning more about supplemental insurance to reach out for a personalized consultation. As someone who has made Goldsboro her permanent home, she’s committed to helping her community prepare for life’s unexpected challenges.

Contact Information‘

For more information on supplement Insurance contact:

Name | Juanita Curtis

Phone Number | 919 -584 -7091

Email | [email protected]