In January 2009, the New York State Insurance Department issued a “Circular Letter” to all New York State-licensed insurance companies, directing them to recognize valid out-of-state marriages between same-sex spouses for insurance coverage purposes. This includes all provisions governing health and automobile insurance, as well as other insurance offered in the state, and includes group health insurance policies offered to private employers, requiring coverage of same-sex spouses employed in the private as well as government sectors. Some employer self-funded group health insurance plans that are regulated under federal ERISA may not be affected.

This directive comes after a string of legal victories in New York affirming that such marriages must be legally respected in the state, and the May 2008 memorandum from Governor Paterson’s office requiring all state agencies to comply with this requirement.

Anyone with a valid out-of-state marriage to spouses of the same sex can immediately seek insurance coverage through their employer or insurance provider. They should notify their employer or insurance provider of their marriage and ask to receive spousal coverage on equal terms offered to other married insureds.

Aetna
Allstate
Commerce
Geico
Hartford, 888-466-9675 [offered in 35 states and D.C.; also offers homeowners insurance]
Metropolitan [may require joint car registration; may vary by state]
State Farm
Travelers’ USAA Auto and Renters insurance (at least in California; to be insured one must be a current or retired military officer or soldier or the child of one)

These New York companies all follow state law requiring insurance companies to provide the same rates and coverage to same-sex couples who have obtained an out-of-state legal marriage license as those currently provided to other married couples:

Allstate
Geico
State Farm

Allstate
Hartford
IDS/Amex
Nationwide

Renter’s Insurance

Also, domestic partners are usually required to testify that they sharing common residence and intend to do so indefinitely, and are jointly responsible for basic living expenses. These are not required of legally married couples.

As a rule, no insurance company offers discounted services unless a couple is legally married, which completely excludes same-sex couples. Theoretically, the only exception would be Vermont residents with a Civil Union, whoever, we have not heard if anyone has received such a medical plan discount outside of a job.

Ameritas, CIGNA, Great West Life, and NY Life/NYL Care have indicated that they are interested in underwriting domestic partner coverage in all states.

The following list of providers comes primarily from the San Francisco Human Rights Commission, as well as from news reports, and individual employees. Since services are unverified and constantly in flux, this list is not intended to be exhaustive and is subject to change.

Long-Term Care Insurance

General Electric Financial offers a 25 percent discount for same-sex couples. This plan applies only to individuals, not group or corporate policies. Applicants sign a “Requirements to Access Special (Spousal) Benefits” form, which holds that the couple are: “Two people who live together and are in a committed relationship as partners, or family members, who share basic living expenses and who: 1) are not married to each other, or to anyone else, and 2) do not belong to different generations of the same family (e.g. father/daughter, aunt/nephew, grandmother/granddaughter).”

Alexander & Alexander Consulting Group, San Francisco, California
Arthur Anderson & Co., Los Angeles, California
Common Ground, Conifer, Colorado; 303-941-2991
Sedgwick Consulting Group, San Francisco, California
The Segal Company, Boston, Massachusetts
William Mercer, Los Angeles, California

• Company Name
• Employer’s Home City
• Type of Plan
• Number of Employees covered
• Verifying Web or News Article