Every day, our law enforcement officers carry out their sworn duties, putting their own lives on the line to protect ours. Sometimes, those officers pay the ultimate sacrifice, never returning home to their loved ones.
Realizing the inherent dangers of law enforcement, AmTrust Financial Services created the Killed in the Line of Duty (KILOD) Loan Protection Program.
Introduced by the
Specialty Risk division of AmTrust North America, the KILOD program is available exclusively to credit unions whose members are part of the law enforcement community. The first program of its kind, KILOD loan protection will cancel an eligible law enforcement officer’s debt with the credit union – up to $850,000 – in the event the member loses his or her life during active service, whether on or off duty.
Launched in 2018, the program covers all loan types, from mortgages and home equity loans to personal loans and credit cards. The complimentary benefit can provide some peace of mind for law enforcement officers, knowing their family has some financial protection if the unthinkable happens.
Tragically, the unthinkable happened at an alarming rate in 2018. According to a November 2018 CNN wire report, in the 45 weeks since the start of 2018, 43 law enforcement officers across the US have been fatally shot in the line of duty.
That’s nearly one fatality every week.
"When a police officer is killed, it's not an agency that loses an officer. It’s an entire nation," explains Chris Cosgriff, founder of the Officer Down Memorial Page (ODMP), a nonprofit organization dedicated to honoring America’s fallen law enforcement officers.
True‐Blue Supporters
True advocates of their communities, credit unions have a profound impact on the communities they serve. These organizations continually find new ways to provide their communities with value and financial protection.
A wonderful example is the KILOD Loan Protection Program, which demonstrates the public’s gratitude for the countless contributions made by the law enforcement community.
“All of our employees are very proud of the program,’’ says Finest Federal Credit Union President and CEO Keith Stone, who played a key role in introducing the program and is one of its biggest advocates.
“The program helps in so many ways. It just makes sense,” adds Stone.
“KILOD’s complimentary protection allows our officer members to sleep better at night. The extra peace of mind is invaluable,” explains Stone, previously the vice president of Chinatown Federal Savings Bank.
“It’s the king of value propositions. I’d be surprised if every law enforcement credit union didn’t have the program by the end of 2019,” Stone adds.
“It’s a game changer.”
Police FCU of MD CEO, Norman Mann says that he appreciates AmTrust for providing a program that differentiates them from traditional banks and maximizes the outreach to our members. “The opportunity is invaluable ‐ a very open means for us to show how we are connected. The price point is great and never comes as a loss.”
Courage is a Job Requirement
Displaying courage, strength, resiliency, kindness and compassion, our law enforcement officers wake up with the quiet realization that they may have to put themselves in harm’s way. As every officer who wears the uniform knows, being faithful to a calling is more than just a motto. It’s about believing in something bigger than yourself.
We are inexpressibly grateful to the men and women who guard our communities. With a program like Killed in the Line of Duty, officers can do their jobs knowing their families will be protected if tragedy strikes.
At a time when gun violence seems inescapable, this coverage is a must‐have, especially in regions with large law enforcement communities.
As the program continues to gain momentum, organizations in different parts of the country are beginning to take notice. In recent months, credit unions in communities like Upper Marlboro, Maryland, Hartford, Connecticut, and Omaha, Nebraska, along with New York City and Chicago, have adopted the groundbreaking benefit.
Investing in the Law Enforcement Community
AmTrust supports several law enforcement and first responder initiatives and organizations, including the Silver Shield Foundation. Established in 1982, the foundation provides educational support for families of firefighters and police officers killed in the line of duty. Also receiving ongoing support is Ground Zero 360, a traveling exhibition that educates the public on the events of Sept. 11, 2001 and honors the memories of those lost that day.
Wendy Tariff, CEO of the Greater Hartford Police Federal Credit Union, appreciates what this coverage means to the men and women in blue who have it.
“We are a small, single‐sponsor credit union. The Killed In the Line of Duty debt protection program, which we renamed “End of Watch,” allows us to level the playing field between our organization and our competition. By making this program specific to sworn officers, it becomes a compelling reason why those officers should think of us first when they have credit needs. It’s a great selling point when I speak at the police academy. I believe that once recruits have discovered its benefits, they won’t bank anywhere else. Easy to deploy and maintain, the product is a win‐win for us and our members,” Tariff explains.
“It’s a beautiful piece of assurance.”
Kathleen Mello
VP of Product Development
AmTrust North America, Specialty Risk