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- Argus and BF&M and Argus have signed an amalgamation agreement to combine in an all-stock transaction.
- Following the closing of the transaction, BF&M shareholders are expected to own 60% and Argus shareholders 40% of the combined group. To effect this, Argus shareholders will receive 0.251 shares of BF&M common stock for each Argus share that they hold.
- Further details of the transaction are set out in our statement released on the BSX.
- There is a compelling opportunity to create a stronger, more efficient and more diversified group, bringing together two Bermudian insurers with complementary expertise, product lines and geographic footprints.
- The increased scale of the combined group will support ongoing investment in best-in-class products and services in Bermuda for Bermudians, accelerate our growth plans, and bring greater buying power in the context of ongoing inflationary headwinds.
- Ultimately, this transaction will create a Bermudan insurance champion to serve the people of Bermuda and our other international communities.
- Following closing, Abigail Clifford, CEO of BF&M, will be Chief Executive Officer of the combined group.
- Peter Dunkerley, CFO and Deputy CEO of Argus will become Chief Financial Officer of the combined group.
- The executive leadership team will be comprised of highly experienced leaders from both companies.
- The company’s Board will consist of 10 directors: six current BF&M directors (Abigail Clifford, Anthony Joaquin, Conor O’Dea, Gordon Henderson, Andrew Lo and Paul Markey) and four current Argus directors (David Brown, Barclay Simmons, Costas Miranthis and Kim Wilkerson). Anthony Joaquin, who currently serves as Chairman of BF&M, will serve as Chairman of the combined group.
- Subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals and satisfaction of other customary closing conditions, the amalgamation is expected to close before the end of 2024.
- We don’t have a new brand at this early stage. The leadership team of the newly combined group will work on creating the new brand, that is closely aligned to the existing purpose, mission, and values of both companies.
- This is a compelling opportunity to create a stronger, more efficient and more diversified group, bringing together two Bermudian insurers with complementary expertise, product lines and geographic footprints.
- The increased scale of the combined group will support ongoing investment in best-in-class products and services, including enhancing our digital offering, accelerating our growth plans, and bringing greater buying power in the context of ongoing inflationary headwinds.
- The combination will create a business with:
- A higher quality earnings profile driven by enhanced portfolio diversification.
- Efficiency opportunities across combined operations and underwriting.
- Strong capitalisation and financial strength ratings provide flexibility to support future strategic initiatives, sustainable growth, and an attractive dividend to shareholders.
- The combination will be strongly capitalised and will have the flexibility to support future strategic initiatives, sustainable growth, and an attractive dividend to shareholders.
- Regarding your existing relationship with Argus, please be reassured that all existing contractual arrangements will not change.
To access the Student Mental Health Hotline please dial the appropriate number below.
U.S. and Canada: 1-855-649-8641
Outside U.S. and Canada: 001-416-380-6578
We understand at times that our clients may require assistance for a travel companion when accessing your Argus health benefits. Benefits for a travelling companion are approved in the following circumstances:
- When the Insured Person is a minor Dependent Child,or has surgery or mental incapacity.
Customer Service Centre:
For routine health claims questions, call 298-0888 to speak with one of our knowledgeable Customer Service Representatives.
Worldwide Call Centre (if you require treatment overseas):
Before making any arrangements to travel overseas for medical treatment, please call us for pre-approval.From Bermuda, Canada and USA, call 1-800-720-7315 (toll free) or 1-905-532-2954 (collect) or email overseascare@argus.bm. Argus Representatives are available to provide assistance with emergency medical care, emergency medical evacuation, discharge planning, loss of travel documents and insurance verification.
Your spouse (including legally married or common law spouse or legal domestic partner) and children.
Your child must be an unmarried, natural child, step-child, child of a dependent spouse or a legally adopted child who:
- is under the age of 19; or
- is over the age of 19 but under age 26, if the child is in full-time attendance in a recognised school, college or university; or
- is over the age of 19, and is impaired by reason of mental illness, physical illness or disability or intellectually disabled and unable to meet the requirement for physical health, safety or self-care
In general, your dependents will have the same health insurance benefits as you. Please note:
- your non-working/unemployed spouse must be insured for full coverage
- your working spouse may be insured for everything except Health Insurance Act benefits which must be provided by your spouse’s employer
- your self-employed spouse may be insured for full coverage
- dependent children may be insured for full benefits although they may be entitled to Bermuda government subsidies for the Health Insurance Act benefits
If you require additional assistance, please contact the Argus Customer Service Centre at 298-0888.
Registration is easy. Click “Member Login” under the “Pensions” section. A login page will appear and select “Not Registered”. This will take you to the online registration form. You will need your social insurance number to register. This number can be obtained from your member pension statement, your employer or the Social Insurance Department.
Within one to two business days after completing registration, Argus will send you an email containing your login and password information.
The law allows you to receive your pension either in the form of regular annuity payments for your lifetime or by making withdrawals from your account using a prescribed formula to ensure that you receive payments for life. In either case, provision may be made for payment to a beneficiary upon your death after retirement.
The National Pension Scheme (Occupational Pensions) Act came into existence on January 1, 2000.
An employer must enroll all employees who are either Bermudian or the husband or wife of a Bermudian. Non-Bermudians may be included, excluded, or covered under a separate plan.
Workers' Compensation is a wage loss replacement benefit for expenses arising out of an accident or illness that occurs while working for an employer. In other words, job-related injuries and illnesses.
Bermuda has legislated benefits under the Workers’ Compensation Act (1965) together with subsequent amendments that hold employers liable to compensate their employees for loss of income and medical expenses. However, for most industries, insurance is not mandatory and the employer can choose either to self-insure against such expenses or purchase a workers’ compensation policy from an insurer.
All employees, aged 16 or above, of the Employer as defined by the Employment Act of 2000 and subsequent amendments, who are Bermuda residents and work for the Employer in connection with the Employer’s Business.
Eligible classes of employees can include:
- Part-time employees working less than 15 hours per week for the Employer,
- Temporary employees working less than three months per year for the Employer,
- Students working for the Employer on weekends, public holidays and /or vacation periods.
Please note eligible classes of employees can vary from plan to plan.
There are six components included in our Workers' Compensation Plan in accordance with the Workers’ Compensation Act 1965. Benefits are payable in the event of death, disability or injury resulting from a workplace accident as follows:
(1) death benefit equal to the deceased employee’s earnings in the past 3 years*
(2) permanent total incapacity benefit equal to the disabled employee’s earnings in the past 4 years*,
(3) permanent partial incapacity benefit equal to a percentage of the amount payable for permanent total incapacity
(4) wage loss replacement for an injured employee who is unable to work in the amount of 2/3 of weekly earnings (or a higher percentage of salary if selected by the employer)
(5) medical expenses in accordance with legislated fees and benefits and
(6) employers’ liability at law is covered .
*or 3 or 4 years, as applicable, of the average annual per capita income as recorded by the Bermuda Government
No. To qualify for Workers’ Compensation benefits an employee must be disabled due to a work-related accident or occupational disease as defined in the Workers' Compensation legislation and unable to work.
The Argus office at 14 Wesley Street is now open to the public 9am to 4pm Monday to Friday.
We want you to feel secure and comfortable when you visit Argus and we’ve followed the Government’s COVID-19 operations to create an environment that’s safe for all. New practices include, signage to remind and encourage social distancing protocols, the wearing of face masks, hand sanitiser stations and limited opening hours to allow for deep cleaning and sterilisation.
Argus will continue to support your needs online and by telephone. You can reach our Customer Service Centre on (441) 298-0888 between the hours of 8:30 am and 5:00 pm or email insurance@argus.bm for assistance.
We encourage our pensions and health members, corporate clients and personal motor policy holders to register for a Vantage online account to gain access to policy information and a number of self-service tools.
Group Underwriters set Short Term Disability Premiums during renewals. A group underwriter will review a group as a whole, factor in claims experience and set the rate based on a pre-determined cost analysis spreadsheet. The Short Term Disability premiums are billed monthly to the policyholder and will appear on the same invoice as their group health.
Short Term Disability plan renewals occur throughout the year and usually renew on the anniversary date of the policy or its original effective date.
Short Term Disability claims should be directed to our Customer Service Team on 298-0888 or at insurance@argus.bm Our Claims Team will advise if the claim is deemed a disability and communicate with the policyholder and employee on the particulars of the case.
Our standard income replacements are 50%, 66.67% and 75% of weekly earnings. Each benefit is subject to an overall weekly maximum, and plan design varies from plan sponsor.
Weekly Benefits will be paid to or on behalf of an Insured Employee if he/she becomes disabled while insured, is totally disabled throughout the Elimination Period, remains disabled beyond the end of the elimination period and submits proof of loss to us.
The Weekly Benefit will not exceed the Insured employee's net weekly benefit, or be paid for longer than the maximum benefit period. Please check with a group underwriter for additional information.
If you are a permanent full-time employee, under 65 years of age less the elimination period, and work a minimum of 20 hours per week at the employer’s usual place of business, you are eligible to join the plan.
Yes, benefits under the policy will not be paid in connection with a disability, resulting directly or indirectly, from a pre-existing condition until an employee has been insured under the policy for at least 12 calendar months.
Your Business Interruption policy will not cover you for losses incurred as a result of a pandemic. Business Interruption insurance is designed to protect the insured for losses of business income it sustains as a result of physical loss, damage, or destruction to insured property by a covered peril. Insured perils can be found listed in your policy wording and usually consist of fire, lightning, explosion, hurricane, storm, flood, escape of water, riot, impact and earthquake.
It is important to know what coverage you have before your property is damaged, so you are encouraged to check each year to make sure your property is insured for the cost of replacing it. At the very least, check the value at the start of each hurricane season and, as a last resort and final fail-safe, check again as soon as a storm is declared as a threat to our island.
The replacement cost does not mean the sale cost, as the sale cost includes the land too, but it should include an allowance for demolition, then to remove debris and the cost of a new planning application, in addition to the actual building. In practice this generally adds about 13% of the property value.
Buildings Insurance applies to structures, fixtures and fittings. Contents Insurance applies to items that remain within the home, whereas personal possessions refer to items that are brought outside the home.
The coverage you choose depends on your specific needs. Please contact our Customer Service Centre at 298-0888 to discuss your coverage needs, or send us your contact information in a private message and we’ll reach out to you to further discuss.
Now that it is hurricane season, when is the latest point that I can purchase insurance to cover myself against damages from this year’s hurricanes?
At Argus, we put the interests of our clients first, and existing clients can update their sums insured at any time. We are currently accepting new clients and will continue to do so as long as possible in the face of an incoming storm. We encourage you to purchase your insurance now to ensure your property and belongings are protected, as damage caused within 48 hours of commencing the policy will not be covered for storm-related damage.
It is important to know what coverage you have before your property is damaged, so you are encouraged to check each year to make sure your property is insured for the cost of replacing it. At the very least, check the value at the start of each hurricane season and, as a last resort and final fail-safe, check again as soon as a storm is declared as a threat to our island.
The replacement cost does not mean the sale cost, as the sale cost includes the land too, but it should include an allowance for demolition, then to remove debris and the cost of a new planning application, in addition to the actual building. In practice this generally adds about 13% of the property value.
Buildings Insurance applies to structures, including permanent fixtures and fittings. Contents Insurance includes furniture, furnishings, machinery and other items usual to the Insured’s business.
The coverage you choose depends on your specific needs. Please contact our Customer Service Centre at 298-0888 to discuss your coverage needs, or send us your contact information in a private message and we’ll reach out to you to further discuss.
Now that it is hurricane season, when is the latest point at which I can purchase insurance to cover myself against damages from this year’s hurricanes?
At Argus, we put the interests of our clients first, and existing clients can update their sums insured at any time. We are currently accepting new clients and will continue to do so as long as possible in the face of an incoming storm. We encourage you to purchase your insurance now to ensure your property and belongings are protected, as damage caused within 48 hours of commencing the policy will not be covered for storm-related damage.
To complete registration you will need your car or bike policy number. You must also provide a jpg of a valid government-issued photo ID such as a passport or driver’s license. click here to register and, after reading the requirements, click ‘Next’.
Fill the form with the requested details and press ‘Next’. Once you have uploaded your ID, agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy and press ‘Submit’.
Once completed, a confirmation will appear onscreen. After your account is verified and approved, you will receive an activation link via email.
You can also register for Argus Vantage to access your Health or Pensions accounts. Simply follow the steps above and provide your Health Certificate Number to manage your Health account or your Social Insurance number to view your Pensions account.
We’re open. Speak to a member of our team at 14 Wesley Street from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday.
Argus will also continue to support your needs online and by telephone. You can reach our Customer Service Centre on (441) 298-0888 between the hours of 8:30 am and 5:00 pm or email insurance@argus.bm for assistance.
We encourage our pensions and health members, corporate clients and personal home, motor and marine policy holders to register for a Vantage online account to gain access to policy information and a number of self-service tools.
The Non-Medical Limit (NML) is the guaranteed amount of life insurance that an employee will receive without requiring medical underwriting. All amounts in excess of this amount are subject to satisfactory medical evidence of insurability. In other words, medical underwriting will be required for all excess amounts of insurance above the NML. NML’s vary by employer and are reviewed every year during renewal.
Medical underwriting is the use of medical or health information to assist in the evaluation of an applicant for coverage and determining the appropriate benefit and premium. Read more detail here.
The medical underwriting department should be advised of a death claim by the employer or the named beneficiary. If you need assistance please contact our Customer Service Team on 298-0888 or at insurance@argus.bm
Renewals occur for Group Life plans throughout the year. It depends on the anniversary date of the policy (i.e. the original policy effective date). For example, ABC Company insured for Group Life on November 1, 2012. ABC’s policy will renew on November 1st every year thereafter, unless otherwise stated.
An average rate per $1,000 of insurance benefit is calculated for the plan based on the age and gender of insured employees. The average rate is multiplied by the employee’s volume of Insurance divided by $1,000 units of cover. The volume of insurance is determined by the employee’s insured benefit amount and the benefit plan which is either a multiple of salary (e.g. 2 x annual salary) or a flat benefit amount (e.g. $5,000)
The average rate is reviewed annually.
An example of a Group Life Premium calculation would be:
$100,000 (volume) x $0.15 (rate) /$1,000 (units of cover) =$15.00 per month
An example of Group Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D):
$100,000 (volume) x $0.04 (rate)/$1,000 (units of cover) = $4.00 per month.