The Sons of Hermann began in Texas in 1860 as a fraternal
organization. From the beginning of the Sons, when a member died,
the other members pitched in to help with the financial needs of the
survivors. Late in the 19th century, this spirit of caring was
formalized into the life insurance that is the hallmark of our fraternal
benefit society today.
To become an Active Member of the Sons, you need to get a Sons Life
Insurance policy. To get a Sons life insurance policy, you need to
sit down with a Sons of Hermann agent. The initial meeting takes
less than an hour, during which the agent helps the prospective member to
find the policy that best fits their individual needs. After the
type and amount of policy is decided upon, the agent and prospective
member fill out the appropriate forms, and the prospective member pays at
least one month's dues in advance, which is submitted with the
application. Usually, a health examination will occur approximately
two to three weeks after the initial meeting, at the prospective member's
home or office. After the results of that exam get to the Grand
Lodge, the Lodge Underwriter decides whether to issue a policy, issue a
rated policy, or deny the policy.
If the policy is issued, it is usually in the new member's hands within
about four to six weeks of their initial meeting with the agent.
If the policy is rated, the prospective member is given the option to
purchase a Son's policy at a higher rate than was initially quoted by the
agent at the initial meeting. Rated policies are usually the result
of a health issue that is either revealed in the medical examination, in
the initial application, or in the patient's medical records. If the
prospective member decides not to accept the rated policy, their original
dues payment is returned to them. Rated prospects that decide not to
join the Order are not allowed to become Social Members.
If the policy is denied, the applicant can become a Social Member of
the Sons. Social Members are not allowed to vote or to become
officers in the Local Lodge or the Grand Lodge, but they are eligible for
some other fraternal benefits. The only way to become a Social
Member is to be denied a policy for health reasons.
Dues for Active Membership, which includes the insurance
policy/policies of the member's choice, vary with age, sex, tobacco usage,
medical history, type of policy, amount of policy, and other factors.
Please see an agent for a quote.
