Insurance World

Terminal illnesses not only destroy lives, but they can also erode the financial stability of individuals and their families. A viatical settlement, however, can provide financial support and emotional comfort to those with serous diseases.

A viatical settlement is simply the sale of the benefits of a life insurance policy to a third party. Viatical settlements, also called “viaticals”, allow individuals facing a terminal illness to use the present day value of their life insurance policy to ease the financial burdens.

The viatical settlement business originated in the 1980s as a way to give terminally ill AIDS patients early access to their life insurance benefits. Since then, the use of viatical settlements has broadened significantly. Viaticals now include policy holders suffering from Lou Gehrig№s disease, cancer, heart disease and other life-threatening illnesses.

The Importance of Viatical Settlements

Viatical settlements can provide an important source of funding for terminally ill people battling the high costs of medical care. An estimated 40 million Americans are not covered by health insurance, and many are often unable to earn a living because of their illness. These individuals must cover their medical costs out-of-pocked on top of daily living expenses such as food, shelter, utilities and transportation. Viatical settlements allow people in these circumstances to maintain a level of financial security during their final months or years.

Viatical settlements are completely legal transactions based on this concept: Investors buy life insurance benefits from insured individuals for a percentage of the face value of their policies. Then they collect the full amount of the death benefit on the policy when that person dies. For terminally ill people, viatical settlements allow them to receive a partial payment on their policies while they are still alive. They can use these funds to pay for their health care, to meet daily living expenses, or even take a well-deserved vacation with their families. The bottom line is: Viatical settlements enable individuals to take advantage of their life insurance benefits before they die and enhance the quality of the life they have remaining.

How Viatical Settlements Work

Viatical settlements are relatively common. Here’s how they work. The owner of the life insurance policy sells the policy for a percentage of the death benefit. The discounted price received is typically 60 to 70 percent of the policy’s face value.

The viatical settlement buyer becomes the new policy owner and/or beneficiary of the life insurance policy and is responsible for paying all future premiums. The buyer also collects the death benefit of the policy when the insured dies.
The original owner of the insurance policy, incidentally, may not necessarily be the individual with the life-threatening illness.

The approval process for viatical agreements is generally based on the nature of the illness or condition and a doctor’s review of the insured’s medical records. Usually the viatical settlement transaction is facilitated through a broker or a trusted insurance agent—without the buyer ever meeting the ill person.

Guidelines for the Sale of Viatical Settlements

Almost any type of life insurance can be sold through a viatical settlement as long as the policy doesn’t prohibit transferring ownership rights. Universal, whole, term, and even group life insurance policies are usually accepted.

However many policies include a “contestability clause” that allows an insurance company to cancel a policy if it discovers that the policy holder had a preexisting condition. Therefore, most settlement companies will only buy policies that are at least two years old.

There are generally two types of companies that purchase viatical settlements. The first type buys life insurance policies directly from ill people, using either private funds or proceeds from the sale of company stock. These companies, themselves, hold all the rights to the insurance policy and act as the designated beneficiary of the policy. These are considered to be “non-brokered” transactions because the viatical settlement provider purchases the policies directly.

The second type of viatical settlement company acts as a broker or intermediary—the category into which most settlement companies fall. They match a group of potential buyers with a life insurance policy available for sale, rather than directly purchasing the policy. As the broker, the viatical settlement company doesn’t own the policy. Instead, it is entitled to a percentage of the death benefit or purchase price—usually 4 to 6 percent—as compensation for its services.

Each settlement company has its own set of rules and limitations that govern the purchase of viaticals. The death benefit percentage that individuals receive when selling their policies is largely determined by their life expectancy. The shorter the life expectancy, the more they can expect to receive for their insurance benefits.

For example, an individual with just eight months to live may receive more than 90 percent of a policy’s face value. Someone expected to live for two years, on the other hand, may only be able get 50 percent of the death benefit.

State Regulations

Regardless of how much the policy holder receives from the insurance policy, viatical settlement payments are generally tax-free. However, to qualify for tax-favored treatment, the individual must be terminally ill and live in a state that regulates viatical settlements. Residents of other states may receive a tax benefit if the company buying the policy satisfies viatical settlement guidelines outlined by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.

There are a variety of limitations involved with viaticals sales, depending on the state involved. Therefore, anyone considering a viatical settlement should consult with a qualified tax and legal professionals.

As another piece of advice: Before finalizing a viatical settlement, policy holders should also explore options that their life insurance firms may offer. Increasingly, companies allow policy holders to borrow against their policies. And some policies offer a cash value separate from the death benefit and accelerated death benefits that can offer access to cash. If no feasible options are available, viatical settlements may be the ideal option for terminally ill individuals and their families.

Having a reliable health insurance coverage contributes a great deal towards a person’s sense of security.

As an individual, you are aware that you should take care of your health so you employ ways and make an effort to lead a healthy lifestyle.

In spite if this, there are unexpected circumstances regarding your health that no matter how hard you try to prevent, are rather unavoidable.

Thus, you need to make sure that you have a reliable insurance plan and ample coverage should you need to use them in the future, or should an emergency ensue.

Basically, health insurance coverage is divided into two categories: private and government-sponsored.

This is further broken down into several types:

- Private health insurance

This is a non-government health insurance coverage that is paid for by an individual.

- Employment-based plans

This health insurance plan is offered by the company that you work for. You may also take advantage of being a dependent for a relative’s health insurance coverage that includes one’s immediate family.

- Directly-purchased insurance plans

If you think that the coverage offered by the government or your employer is not enough, you may buy a separate plan that you can purchase privately.

- Government-sponsored health insurance packages

These are plans funded by the federal government. There are several levels, ranging from local, state to federal coverage.

This health insurance plan is required by law and has several types:

1. Medicare

This is a health insurance program which is offered on a national level. The people who can get Medicare benefits are those who are above 65. They may also be given to people with certain disabilities.

2. State Children’s Health Insurance Program

This is a program administered by the state. It may have a different name for each state, but the main goal of this program is to offer health care to children whose parents cannot provide for them.

3. Medicaid

This is a health insurance package which is also offered by the state. This medical aid, as the name implies, may be known differently in other states. The basic principle, however, is to offer health insurance benefits for the needy.

4. Military and veteran health care

There are several health care benefits and insurance plans which are provided for retired or active members of the military. These plans extend to their immediate families and their survivors.

Also, the Department of Veteran Affairs offer health insurance coverage to veterans and their dependents.

5. Indian Health Service

Health insurance plans are also offered to eligible American Indians.

Here are some tips on how you can get the best deal out of the very expensive health insurance packages that are available nowadays:

- If you are self-employed, look for a company that offers an extensive health insurance coverage, and at the same time would not make a big dent in your pocket. Remember that spending a day or two in the hospital can be very costly, so make sure that you have ample coverage.

- Learn everything about the health insurance plan that you have. If you bought it privately, if it is part of your employee benefits or it is a coverage sponsored by the federal or state government, it is better to be aware of your rights to a suitable health insurance coverage.

Health care is a very important aspect in every person’s life and you should see to it that you are secure and never lacking in this department.