The whole concept of a life settlement is very fresh, and many are unfamiliar with how it works.
A life settlement is a robust financial option that offers help to countless people by providing emergency cash. The process involves selling a life insurance policy to a third party for a lump sum.
While this is a non-traditional option, many people are beginning to make use of it – especially considering it’s an excellent way to make some quick money in those times of need. However, to find a good deal, you will need to have a reliable life settlement agent.
The Truth of the Matter
Usually, a life settlement company can help to provide you with a life settlement broker/agent. However, remember that not all agents are trustworthy. Even though life settlement companies are relatively new, many of them are already contending with accusations of fraud.
Here are some important things to keep in mind to ensure you choose the right life settlement agent:
Transparency
As the agent is responsible for finding you a buyer for your policy, it’s wise to ensure they inform/discuss with you every step along the way to a settlement. The agent must inform you in writing about the buyer, fees, and the overall process.
Avoid using a buyer that is also a broker; it’s not uncommon for brokers to buy a life insurance policy and then sell it to a third party.
Bidding
An experienced life settlement agent will make offers to multiple buyers; this thoroughness ensures that you get the best deal possible. Less seasoned brokers bid to just one or two parties, which drastically reduces your chances of finding a profitable outcome.
By hiring an agent that makes offers to many parties simultaneously, you get the maximum advantage.
Licensing
Licensing for agents exists only within the state level, not federally/nationally. This reality can make it difficult to ensure you’re working with a reputable broker.
In addition, most states have little experience with life settlement transactions, and to make things even worse, they also lack proper licensing – although Ohio, Florida, Texas, and Pennsylvania have strict regulations on these matters – for what it’s worth.
Privacy Protection
When you use an agent to sell your insurance policy, it requires the sharing of your personal information.
As such, it is crucial to make sure you share your personal, medical and policy related information with the agent only through signed authorizations. It would be best if the agent can also assure you that they won’t use the data for any purpose outside the life settlement transaction.
Contact Esteem America – a trusted, reputable company that makes the process of handling your life insurance settlement simple and pain-free!