Insurance: KeyCorp Targets New Grads With Short-Term Health Policy At

Just in time for graduation season, KeyCorp is pitching short-term health insurance to recent college graduates who are between their parents' insurance coverage and their own.

Tempocare is inexpensive, with monthly premiums as low as $20 a month, and offers coverage for one to six months. It is available through KeyCorp Insurance Agency, an affiliate of the bank's Key Educational Resources division.

"We're looking at a very targeted product to help graduates make the transition to working life," said Randy Behm, director of Key Educational Resources, the bank's student lending division.

The product has been offered since 1989. KeyCorp picked it up with its acquisition last year of Bank College Resources, Boston, a financial services company that caters to students.

Tempocare is pitched through direct mail to students and parents. The sale is more successful when both are targeted, said Jane Horton, product manager at Key educational resources. Key often talks to the students and follows up with the parents, she said.

Though recent college graduates are apt to go without health insurance for short periods, they are a good target market for a bank insurance program, said Maryanne Godbout, an insurance consultant at Conning & Co., Hartford, Conn.

"In general, younger people seem receptive to buying insurance from banks," Ms. Godbout said. They are also likely to keep in mind the link between the bank and buying insurance, and could maintain the relationship later in life when they are in the market for life insurance, she said.

The students are not followed up after the term is over, Mr. Behm said, nor will KeyCorp necessarily expect them to become banking customers.

The insurance, similar to major medical coverage, is underwritten by Time Insurance Co. The policy has a $250 deductible. It is not renewable, but the customer can reapply for a second short term under certain circumstances.

For reprint and licensing requests for this article, click here.
MORE FROM AMERICAN BANKER