Common Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing Unum Insurance Options

Enrolling in employee benefits — especially life or disability insurance — can feel overwhelming. With limited time, long descriptions, and unfamiliar terminology, it’s easy to rush through the process or make choices that don’t reflect your real needs.

If your employer offers benefits through Unum, you’re already ahead. But to get the most from your coverage, you need to avoid a few common pitfalls.

In this article, we’ll cover the top mistakes employees make when selecting Unum insurance options — and how to avoid them with simple, actionable tips.

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❌ Mistake #1: Choosing the Default Coverage Without Thinking

Many employees accept the default life insurance or disability options without asking:

• Is this amount enough for my family if something happens to me?
• Could I cover rent, mortgage, or childcare with this benefit?
• Would 60% of my income through disability insurance be enough?

💡 Tip: Use Unum’s benefit calculators or HR-provided worksheets to evaluate your actual needs. Don’t assume that the default is the best fit.

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❌ Mistake #2: Skipping Disability Coverage Entirely

One of the biggest mistakes employees make is opting out of disability insurance because they assume:

• “I’m healthy — I’ll never need this.”
• “I have PTO and savings.”
• “It’s not worth the cost.”

But accidents, illness, surgery, or mental health issues can affect anyone — and 1 in 4 adults will face a disabling condition during their career.

💡 Tip: Even basic short-term disability coverage through Unum can protect your income if you’re out for just a few weeks — and it costs less than most people think.

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❌ Mistake #3: Not Updating Your Beneficiaries

Life changes — marriage, divorce, children, or even a new partner — but many employees never update their beneficiary after the initial enrollment.

That means:

• Ex-spouses might still be listed
• Children may not be protected
• Assets could go through probate

💡 Tip: Log into your Unum or HR portal during every open enrollment to review and update beneficiary info. It takes 2 minutes — but makes a lifetime of difference.

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❌ Mistake #4: Ignoring Riders and Add-Ons

Unum offers valuable optional riders, like:

• Accelerated death benefits
• Waiver of premium
• Accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D)
• Spouse and child coverage

These are often affordable add-ons that expand your protection — but they’re easy to overlook if you rush through your selections.

💡 Tip: Ask HR for a quick summary of optional riders — and don’t be afraid to spend a few extra dollars per paycheck for better coverage.

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❌ Mistake #5: Thinking Coverage Ends When You Leave the Job

Some people assume that leaving your company means losing Unum coverage forever — so they let policies expire without exploring options.

In reality, Unum allows:

• Portability: take group coverage with you
• Conversion: turn it into an individual whole life plan

💡 Tip: If you’re retiring or changing jobs, contact Unum within 30–60 days to maintain your coverage without reapplying or medical exams.

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❌ Mistake #6: Not Using the EAP or Wellness Tools

Unum often includes access to:

• Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs)
• Mental health counseling
• Legal or financial consultations
• Grief and stress support

Yet many employees don’t even realize these tools exist — or forget to use them when they’re needed most.

💡 Tip: Save the EAP contact info now, and explore the digital wellness hub. It’s free and confidential.

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✅ Quick Recap: Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake	What to Do Instead
Choosing default coverage blindly	Use calculators and adjust for your needs
Skipping disability insurance	At least enroll in short-term coverage
Forgetting to update beneficiaries	Review yearly or after major life events
Ignoring add-ons	Ask about riders that match your life stage
Letting policies lapse when leaving	Explore portability and conversion options
Not using wellness resources	Bookmark EAP and access tools anytime

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💬 Real-Life Example: One Small Mistake, Big Impact

Sara, a 37-year-old project manager, thought her basic life insurance through Unum was enough. When she had her first child, she forgot to:

• Increase coverage
• Add her child as a dependent
• Update her beneficiary

When she reviewed her plan later, she realized her ex-boyfriend was still listed as the sole beneficiary.

💬 “It was a wake-up call. Now I review everything every year — and I talk to HR if I’m not sure what I’m looking at.”

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Final Thoughts

The right benefits can protect your income, your loved ones, and your peace of mind — but only if you use them wisely.

With Unum, you have access to some of the most employee-friendly insurance tools available. Avoid the common mistakes, take a few minutes to understand your plan, and:

✔️ Review your coverage amounts
✔️ Use available riders and support tools
✔️ Protect yourself with disability insurance
✔️ Stay informed about your options when changing jobs

👉 Your future self will thank you — and so will your family.