Aflac, the leader in supplemental insurance sales at U.S. worksites, announced the launch of its new Accident Advantage coverage to help with expenses health insurance doesn't cover.

The latest policy included in its direct-to-consumer portfolio, Aflac's Accident Advantage coverage is opening the supplemental insurance market to millions of Americans who may not fit the conventional eight-hour-workday mold. Aflac is committed to making its products quickly and easily accessible, no matter how or where people work – especially as more hardworking Americans build careers as freelancers, contract employees, self-employed solopreneurs and small start-up employees.

"We're seeing an increased demand for accident coverage from workers not part of the traditional workplace environment who are also impacted by the rising cost of health care, general reductions in employer-provided benefits and changes resulting from health care legislation," said Wendy Herndon, second vice president of Product Solutions at Aflac. "Because accidents can happen to anyone, anywhere, anytime, Aflac evolved its accident policy to extend its availability outside of the conventional worksite to meet workers when, where and how they prefer to buy coverage."

Accidental injuries can be expensive, and many Americans often do not have the financial resources to pay, even with health coverage in place. In fact, according to the 2018 Aflac WorkForces Report survey, 58 percent of workers would not be able to cover an unexpected out-of-pocket health bill of more than $1,000. Aflac Accident Advantage can help provide much-needed protection and give policyholders cash to help with expenses health insurance doesn't cover.

Aflac isn't health insurance, which pays benefits to doctors and hospitals. Instead, Aflac pays cash directly to policyholders, unless they choose otherwise. They can use the cash any way they see fit, including paying leftover health expenses such as copayments and deductibles. And because of its innovative One Day Pay^SM, Aflac puts money in policyholders' pockets quickly – often in just a day.

Aflac's new accident plan provides benefits for emergency room visits, hospitalization, diagnostic exams, X-rays, physical therapy, follow-up visits and more. Additionally, the plan's health screening benefit encourages wellness as well as early detection and prevention by paying policyholders when they receive routine health exams.

The newest accident advantage product is available for purchase in the following states and territories: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Guam, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Wisconsin and Wyoming. More states are expected to be available later this year.