COLONIAL
Voluntary benefits that help protect what matters most -- at the worksite.
Overview
Colonial Life & Accident Insurance Company is a leading provider of voluntary workplace benefits, specializing in supplemental insurance products distributed directly at the worksite. Founded in 1937 in Columbia, South Carolina as Mutual Accident Company, the company has grown to serve more than 90,000 businesses and organizations across America, covering approximately 3.7 million people with USD 1.8 billion in inforce premium.
Acquired by Unum Group in 1993 for USD 571 million, Colonial Life operates as an independent subsidiary of the Fortune 500 parent company. The company focuses on helping employees understand and enroll in benefits through flexible delivery channels, including in-person, virtual, telephonic, and online self-service enrollment.
Colonial Life has a particularly strong presence in the public sector, protecting over 500,000 public sector employees across 41 states, serving 3,000 school districts and 5,000 local government entities. The company employs approximately 8,200 people and is actively investing in digital transformation through its proprietary Gathr HR technology platform and partnerships with fintech and HR tech companies.
Products & Services
Disability Insurance
Short-term and long-term disability coverage designed to replace a portion of income when an employee cannot work due to illness or injury.
Accident Insurance
Lump-sum cash benefits to cover out-of-pocket costs resulting from covered accidental injuries.
Cancer Insurance
Helps cover treatment costs and other expenses associated with cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Critical Illness Insurance
Cash benefit paid upon diagnosis of covered critical illness events such as heart attack or stroke.
Life Insurance
Term and whole life coverage to provide financial protection for employees and their families.
Hospital Indemnity Insurance
Daily or per-admission cash benefits for hospital stays.
Dental and Vision Insurance
Supplemental dental and vision coverage to complement employer-sponsored primary plans.
Gathr HR Technology Platform
A proprietary cloud-based enrollment and HR technology system enabling digital benefits enrollment, co-browsing, and employee self-service. Targets small to mid-size businesses seeking a one-stop HR and benefits solution.
At a Glance
- Founded
- 1937
- Headquarters
- Columbia, South Carolina
- Employees
- 1000+
Category & Focus
- Category
- Voluntary Benefits
- Subcategories
- Worksite Insurance Supplemental Health Disability Income Life Insurance
- Insurance Verticals
- Life & Annuity Health Group Benefits
- Target Customers
- Employers, Employees
Customers
- Public sector employers across 41 states
- 3,000 school districts
- 5,000 local government entities
Last updated: 2026-05-11