clea - california law enforcement association

What clea - california law enforcement association does

California Law Enforcement Association (CLEA) is a non-profit, member-owned corporation founded in 1985 that provides long-term disability (LTD) insurance plans exclusively to California law enforcement personnel. Its core product pays up to 85% of wages tax-free (100% for catastrophic disabilities up to 30 months) with a $10,000 monthly cap and lifetime benefit duration, alongside a $65,000 death benefit with a $15,000 initial payout typically issued within 24 hours. CLEA differentiates from profit-motivated competitors (e.g., PORAC) through a member-managed governance model — each association with 100+ members holds an equal Board vote — and richer benefits such as no Workers' Compensation Permanent Disability offsets.

The business operates a self-funded model funded entirely by recurring member contributions (subscription-style monthly dues), with benefits paid from the accumulated fund. Day-to-day administration, claims processing, and member services are handled by California Public Safety Administrators, Inc. (CPSA). CLEA also extends its offering through specialized LTD modules for Probation Officers, AOCDS/FOP, CCSO, CSLEA, CDCR, and CHP personnel; a Long Term Care partnership with NPFBA; the Matthew Pavelka Scholarship program; and a Value Added Benefits program. Distribution is community-led, primarily through agency- and association-level enrollment.

Since inception, CLEA has grown to nearly 21,000 members across 160+ California law enforcement associations and has paid over $148 million in benefits across 8,500+ claims. The Plan operates as a going concern under oversight of the California Department of Insurance, with third-party actuarial soundness validated by United Health Actuarial Services under AB 1072. Leadership includes Dave Boffi (President) and Jerry Hall (Chairman of the Plan's board, former Santa Clara County deputy sheriff and charter president).

Name

clea - california law enforcement association

Legal name

California Law Enforcement Association

Website

https://clea.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Short description

CLEA is a California-based, member-owned non-profit founded in 1985 that provides long-term disability insurance and death benefits exclusively to California law enforcement personnel across 160+ agencies and ~21,000 members.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Insurance

NAICS

Direct Life, Health, and Medical Insurance Carriers (52411), Health and Welfare Funds (52512), Health and Welfare Funds (525120)

SIC

Accident & Health Insurance (6321), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Long-Term Disability (LTD) Insurance (FSAIAIAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Group Disability Income Insurance (Employer-Sponsored) (FSAIAIAB), Worksite Disability Insurance (STD/LTD) (FSAIAMAD)

Keywords

• Long-term disability insurance
• Law enforcement benefits
• Death benefit coverage
• Member-owned association
• Income protection plans

Headquarters

HQ city

Jackson

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Member Dues/Contributions: CLEA operates as a self-funded, member-owned non-profit association. Members pay dues to participate in the Long Term Disability Plan, which provides income protection benefits. The plan is exclusively funded by member contributions and is managed by a representative Board of Directors. Benefits are paid from the accumulated fund.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

CLEA is a member-owned, non-profit association that provides long-term disability (LTD) insurance plans to California law enforcement personnel. Its core LTD Plan pays up to 85% of wages (tax-free) for totally disabled members for life, with a $10,000 monthly maximum, no Workers' Compensation Permanent Disability offsets, and lifetime benefit continuation (not limited to age 65). The plan is offered alongside a $65,000 death benefit with immediate initial payment, specialized LTD variants for specific agencies (CHP, CDCR, CSLEA, CCSO, FOP, AOCDS, Probation Officers), and member value-added benefits.

Product overview

CLEA operates as a member-owned, non-profit corporation providing long-term disability (LTD) insurance plans exclusively for California law enforcement personnel. The core offering is the Long Term Disability Plan, which pays up to 85% of wages (tax-free) for disabled members for life, with no Workers' Compensation offsets. The plan is offered through multiple specialized modules targeting different law enforcement associations: Probation Officers, FOP, AOCDS, CCSO, CSLEA, CDCR, and CHP. Supplementary offerings include a $65,000 death benefit with immediate $15,000 payment, NPFBA long-term care plans, value-added benefits/discounts, scholarship programs, and informational bulletins. CLEA serves nearly 21,000 members across 160+ law enforcement agencies and has paid over $148 million in benefits since 1985.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 85% wage replacement vs 66 2/3% or 70% for competitors
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered major and core.

• National Peace Officers and Firefighters Benefit Association (NPFBA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCLEA partners with NPFBA to offer Long Term Care Plans to members. NPFBA provides highly-affordable LTC plans designed specifically for first responders and their spouses. CLEA refers members to NPFBA for LTC coverage as part of comprehensive financial protection.
• California Public Safety Administrators, Inc.coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCPSA serves as the Plan Administrator for CLEA's LTD plans, managing day-to-day operations including claims processing, member services, and benefits administration. CPSA also manages similar plans for firefighters through CAPF.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• PORAC (Peace Officers Research Association of California): Direct competitor explicitly mentioned in CLEA's materials. PORAC's Insurance & Benefits Plan is the main alternative LTD offering for California law enforcement officers and is directly compared against CLEA on benefit levels (66 2/3% vs CLEA's 85%).
• NPFBA (National Peace Officers and Firefighters Benefit Association): Strategic partner that also serves as a peer—NPFBA provides Long Term Care Plans to public safety personnel nationwide. Operates a similar mutual/non-profit structure for first responders and is a comparable member-benefit organization in the same ecosystem.
• CAPF (California Association of Professional Firefighters): Operates a parallel self-funded, member-controlled disability plan for California firefighters, administered by the same firm (CPSA) that administers CLEA. Structurally the closest analog and most directly comparable business model.
• CCPOA (California Correctional Peace Officers Association): Member association representing California correctional officers, with overlapping membership base to CLEA (CDCR officers are a CLEA segment). Provides benefit programs and advocacy for a parallel public safety profession in California.
• CSLEA (California Statewide Law Enforcement Association): Represents California state law enforcement personnel and is one of CLEA's own partner associations (CSLEA members use CLEA's LTD plan). A peer-level organization serving the same sworn officer population with overlapping benefits and advocacy.

Broad incumbents

• Unum Group: One of the largest U.S. disability insurance carriers, offering group LTD products to public sector employers. A broad incumbent competing for California public safety employer accounts alongside CLEA and PORAC.
• The Hartford (Hartford Financial Services): Major group disability insurance carrier serving public sector employers, including law enforcement and other government workers. A broad incumbent in the group LTD market where CLEA competes.
• Standard Insurance Company (The Standard): Established group disability insurance carrier with significant public sector employer penetration. A broader market competitor to CLEA in the group LTD space, especially for larger California agencies.

Others

• CalPERS (California Public Employees' Retirement System): California's primary public pension system, providing disability retirement benefits to state and local public employees. While not a direct LTD insurer, CalPERS coordinates with CLEA benefits and represents the broader public safety benefits ecosystem CLEA operates within.

Regional players

• Police & Firefighters' Benefit Association of California (various local chapters): Local and regional benefit associations for California police and firefighters that provide supplemental benefits or LTC coverage. Operate in similar geographies and serve overlapping populations to CLEA, often through NPFBA's umbrella structure.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/CaliforniaLawEnforcementAssociation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/california-law-enforcement-association

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about clea - california law enforcement association