Learn & Plan

Automated Funds Transfer (AFT)

Please use the questions and answers below to help you pay your bill by AFT.

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How do I sign up for AFT?

You need to give your American Family Insurance agent a voided check or deposit slip, so he/she can enter your financial institution's information in our computer system. Your agent will also ask you to complete and sign an authorization form stating that you give American Family Insurance permission to automatically deduct funds from your account. You may want to give this form to your financial institution so it knows you have authorized the transactions.

Can I choose the day I want the deduction to occur?

Only for auto policies, and not for a down payment or when your policy is being reissued and the premium is due. If you choose to have your down payment or the money necessary to reissue your account deducted via AFT, the deduction occurs immediately, usually the day after your policy is entered.

If you are purchasing a new policy and would like to choose your deduction date, let your American Family Insurance agent know right away since the deduction occurs on the expiration date of the policy. For example, if your policy effective date is March 15 to September 15, the deduction date is the 15th. Your agent can change the due day on your auto policy by extending the policy expiration date to the day you choose. Please note that if you change the due date, depending on how soon the next deduction is scheduled, the change may not take effect in time to change the due date of the current deduction.

Can I pay my full premium amount using AFT?

If you elect to have the full premium deducted, the deduction happens on the due date. Any policy changes are reflected on the next bill.

Will I be notified of any changes to the deduction amount?

You receive a notification by mail if the deduction amount changes from the previous month (even if the deduction amount only changes by a penny). The notification looks like a bill, but it will read “AUTOMATIC DEDUCTION: DO NOT SEND PAYMENT.” You also will receive a notification at renewal.

When does the deduction take place?

If you are purchasing a new business policy and would like the down payment deducted from your financial institution using AFT, the deduction takes place the day after your agent submits your application.

If you are paying monthly, the premium is deducted each month on the due date of your policy. If you are paying the full premium amount, the deduction takes place on the due date of your policy.

My due date is on a Saturday. Will the deduction take place on a Friday?

Deductions never happen before the due date. If your due date falls on a weekend or holiday, the deduction takes place on the next business day.

What if my checking or savings account information changes?

If your checking or savings account information changes, you need to tell your American Family Insurance agent immediately. Otherwise, we will continue to try to deduct funds using the old checking or savings account information. This could result in your policy lapsing or canceling.

Please note that when your financial institution information changes, you need to complete and sign a new authorization form.

What happens if there is not enough money in my checking or savings account when a deduction occurs?

We urge you to make sure there are enough funds in your account. If a deduction is attempted and there are not enough funds in your account, a second deduction attempt will be made in approximately two calendar days. Stopping AFT between the first and second deduction attempts does not prevent the second attempt from occurring. If checking or savings account information is changed after the first deduction attempt but before the second deduction attempt, we will still attempt to make a second deduction from the original checking or savings account.

What happens if my account is on AFT and I pay my bill using a different payment method?

If a payment is made using another payment method and it is applied by 4:30 p.m. CST two days before the deduction is scheduled to take place, the deduction may not take place. It is best to check with your American Family Insurance agent to verify that the payment was applied in time to stop the deduction.

How do I stop AFT?

If you would like to stop AFT, please notify your American Family Insurance agent in writing 30 days in advance of the next scheduled deduction. AFT can be stopped in “emergency” situations by notifying your agent a minimum of two business days before the deduction.

If I cancel a policy that is on AFT, will deductions stop?

If there is only one policy on the account, the deductions stop. If there are other policies on the account, the deductions continue for the active policies unless you inform your American Family Insurance agent in writing to stop AFT. Requests to stop AFT should be made 30 days in advance of the next scheduled deduction.

Can I put all my American Family Insurance policies on AFT?

You can put all of your personal policies on AFT. If you have questions about whether AFT can be used for your other American Family Insurance policies or loans, please contact your American Family Insurance agent.

Can I add a policy to my existing AFT account?

Any policy added to an existing billing account already set up on AFT automatically is paid via AFT.

I received a paper bill in the mail. Can I sign up for AFT and pay my current bill?

If you received a paper bill in the mail you can still stop by your agent's office to sign up for AFT. You need to give your American Family Insurance agent a voided check or deposit slip, so he/she can enter your financial institution information into our billing system. The deduction takes place on the due date of your most recent paper bill.

Will I continue to receive paper bills?

You no longer receive paper bills while enrolled in AFT, but you receive notification by mail if the deduction amount changes from the previous month due to any policy changes (even if the deduction amount only changes by a penny). The notification looks like a bill, but reads “Automated Funds Transfer – Do Not Send Payment.”

You also receive paper notification at renewal. If you choose, a Spanish version paper bill is also available at your request. Please contact your agent for further information.

Please note a monthly Administration Fee is charged whenever paying less than the full account balance and may vary by state. However, this fee is waived when paying your bill using Automated Funds Transfer (AFT) or Online Billing. A service fee is not charged to pay your bill over the phone or online.