Legal Insurance

Life is full of legal situations. Some you plan for, like creating a will or buying a home. Others are unexpected. MIT offers legal insurance through ARAG to make it affordable for employees to get the legal assistance they need.

ARAG offers access to a nationwide network of thousands of attorneys who can review and prepare legal documents, as well as provide legal counsel and representation. Network attorney fees are 100% paid in full for most covered legal matters (divorce excluded).

What's Covered?

Consumer Protection

  • Auto repair
  • Buy or sell a car
  • Consumer fraud
  • Consumer protection for goods or services
  • Home improvement
  • Personal property disputes
  • Small claims court

Criminal Matters

  • Juvenile
  • Parental responsibility

Debt-Related Matters

  • Debt collection
  • Garnishments
  • Personal bankruptcy
  • Student loan debt

Driving Matters

  • License suspension/revocation
  • Traffic tickets

Tax Issues

  • IRS tax audit
  • IRS tax collection

Family

  • Adoption
  • Guardianship/conservatorship
  • Name change
  • Pet-related matters for tenants

Services for Tenants

  • Contracts/lease agreements
  • Eviction
  • Security deposit
  • Pet-related matters

Real Estate and Home Ownership

  • Buying a home
  • Deeds
  • Foreclosure
  • Contract issues
  • Neighbor disputs
  • Promissory notes
  • Selling a home

Wills and Estate Planning

  • Powers of attorney
  • Trusts
  • Wills

Plan Rates

When you enroll, you can choose between employee-only or family coverage. Eligible family members include your spouse/domestic partner and dependent children up to age 26.

Eligible family members may use this benefit as long as you enroll them when you sign up.

Premiums for this plan are paid by payroll deduction.

Staff and faculty

Coverage Tier Semimonthly Rate

Employee + Eligible Family Members (if applicable)

$7.95*

* There is one premium (rate) for this benefit regardless of the number of individuals enrolled.

Support and service

Coverage Tier Weekly Rate

Employee + Eligible Family Members (if applicable)

$3.67*

* There is one premium (rate) for this benefit regardless of the number of individuals enrolled.

Eligibility

Legal insurance is a voluntary, employee-paid plan. You are eligible if you work at least 50% of the normal full-time schedule at MIT, have been appointed to work at MIT for at least three months, and are paid by MIT. Visitors who meet the criteria above are also eligible for this plan.

How to enroll

Sign up when you begin work at MIT

Use Atlas to enroll in the ARAG plan within 31 days of your date of hire or appointment—or within 31 days of the date you receive your official Welcome Letter, whichever is later.

Sign up during open enrollment

If you do not enroll within this 31-day period, you must wait until the next annual Open Enrollment period, which takes place in the fall.

Enroll as a result of a life event

If you experience a change in your life that has an impact on your benefits, you can enroll outside the Open Enrollment period.

More about legal insurance and the plan

What legal issues are covered?

In addition to the legal issues listed in the table above, enrolled MIT employees also have access to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion coverages, such as help with obtaining a domestic partnership agreement, funeral directive, hospital visitation authorization, and more.

How does legal insurance work?

Once enrolled in the plan, you can visit ARAG online (using access code 18836mit) or call 1-800-247-4184 to confirm coverage and get connected with local network attorneys who practice in the area of law you need. Network attorney fees are paid in full for most covered matters. You can email, call, or meet with the attorney in person for advice, consultation and/or representation. Learn more by watching this video.

What happens if my legal matter is not fully covered by my legal insurance?

Sometimes you may experience a situation that is not completely covered by the legal insurance plan. If a matter is not specifically covered, such as divorce (and is not excluded under your plan), you are eligible to use the Reduced Fee Legal Services benefit to receive at least 25% off a network attorney's normal hourly rate.

If your legal matter is considered pre-existing, and not excluded under the plan, you can still receive free telephone advice from a network attorney under the Telephone Legal Access Services benefit. In addition, if you have not already retained an attorney, you may be eligible to use the Reduced Fee Legal services benefit.

How do I contact ARAG for legal assistance?

Visit ARAG online (using access code 18836mit) or call 1-800-247-4184 to confirm coverage and get connected with local network attorneys who practice in the area of law you need.