[run4yourlives]

1. I'm in the industry. It has more to do with pooling of risk than bulk processing, but same idea more or less. Insurers can and do rock the boat all the time, but around the core players their nature is to be conservative. Check out HSCA plans for an example of innovation here.

2. That's your plan, not the carriers themselves. Both offer everything from nothing to 100% coverage. Sounds like you have a pretty low end plan. Seriously, talk to your employer about an HCSA... you can use it to pay deductibles and it is designed exactly for plans like yours.

3. The company won't stop paying for it though, because they want the $60k they'll get if I die or am permanently disabled.

Pretty sure this isn't happening. In fact, I'm pretty sure that's not even legal. They may have an additional benefit as part of their general insurance policies (key man, etc.) but all the payout for a life/add claim goes 100% to the people you've designated as a beneficiary.

5. Getting 15k-20k of CI for under $10 a month is the average rate. That's probably less than you spend on coffee. Given your LTD is probably about as good as the 75% EHC you have, I'd look into it. Nothing like not having to worry about expenses when(if) you get sick. Covers everything from heart attacks to cancer. You can usually insure your spouse too.