The Columbia Chamber is proud to name Colonial Life as the May Partner of the Month. Colonial Life has been an active member of the Chamber since 1942 and we are grateful for their 78 years of incredible support! Most recently as the Chamber embarked on the relocation of its headquarters for only the fourth time in our 118 year history, Colonial Life was generous in providing "gently used" workstations for our staff offices.

In 2019, Colonial Life made more than 1 million claims payments totaling nearly $750 million in benefits in the United States. They are committed to providing a market-leading claims experience. A few facts about their claims payment experience: 
 

• Colonial Life provides a simple and modern online claims experience with the ability to file an online claim for any policy type.
• 93% of claimants were satisfied with the overall handling of their claims, according to independent researchers.
• Colonial Life has been paying claims in one day for over 10 years.
• 77% of online claims are processed within two days (most are within one day).
• Colonial Life provides overnight delivery or direct deposit of benefit payment.

But it's Colonial Life's work so far in 2020 that they are most proud of. During the Covid-19 crisis, Colonial Life has extended grace periods for customers, worked with clients to help them stay financially strong during this time and already paid more than $1 million in Covid-19-related claims payments.

Colonial Life's commitment to community and charitable involvement in the communities they serve have been cornerstones of the company since its founding 80 years ago. In 2019, Colonial Life and its employees contributed: 
 

• $2.2 million in corporate and employee contributions;
• $125,300 in in-kind donations; and
• 11,448 volunteer hours (a nearly $300,000 benefit).

In addition to Colonial Life's longstanding support of their communities through volunteering and charitable giving, they've redoubled efforts to support the Midlands during the pandemic with contributions to United Way of the Midlands COVID-19 Response Fund, South Carolina Artist Relief Fund and Transitions Homeless Center. They have also donated meals, food, cleaning supplies, hand sanitizer stations and paper products to community and nonprofit organizations. Colonial Life's partnered with the Columbia Chamber of Commerce, S.C. Chamber of Commerce and the Columbia Mayor's Task Force on Coronavirus to help our businesses stay strong while keeping their employees safe and healthy. And finally, created a new guide for those working remotely to offer tips on productivity and wellbeing during this uncertain time. The guide, which features tips and advice from several of Colonial's corporate leaders, available for free online, held a webinar for community partners to learn from their leaders and partnered with WACH-TV to produce a series of work-at-home tips that are airing more than 200 times this month.

To learn more about Colonial Life, please visit their website, Facebook, or Twitter.

The Partner of the Month spotlights Chamber Partners who have shown great efforts in assisting the Chamber's mission to create and promote an environment where businesses can flourish in the region.

The Partner of the Month is chosen based on community involvement, local leadership efforts and utilization of Chamber Partnership. For a full list of requirements and benefits, or to nominate a current Chamber Partner, fill out form here.

For more information about the Partner of the Month, contact Ashleigh Conner.