Some employers have been offering auto,homeowners and other types of personal property and casualtyinsurance products to their employees for nearly half a century,but the worksite offerings are really taking off now that employersare broadening their menu of voluntary products to offset reducedhealth care benefits.

Aon Hewitt has been very active in brokering voluntary auto andhome for employers for more than 20 years, but activity in the pastfive to 10 years has “ratcheted up markedly,” says Frank Fimmano,senior vice president in New York City.

“As more employers change from defined benefits to definedcontribution, employees have felt more and more disenfranchised, somore employers are looking for things they can do to help employeesthrough voluntary benefits,” Fimmano says. “Auto and home fitsnearly into that definition, as nearly everyone needs auto orhome.”