
Life Settlement Brokerage Process
- Pre-qualify the applicant for life settlement viability. In the prequalification phase, your life settlement broker will collect some basic information from you to determine if your policy is sellable.
- Gather the necessary submission requirements. After your broker determines that the policy qualifies for a life settlement contact, he or she will assemble a document package.
- Submit to licensed providers. With a full documentation package on hand, your life settlement broker can start marketing your policy.
- Manage auction process. Prospective buyers will identify the maximum they’re willing to pay for the policy, but they often won’t lead with that max bid.
- Close the sale. Once you accept the winning bid, your broker assembles a closing package. ...
What is a life settlement broker?
A life settlement broker is a licensed professional who markets and negotiates life settlement contracts. A life settlement or viatical settlement contract is the sale of a life insurance policy to a third party.
What is a life settlement and viatical settlement?
In a life settlement contract, a life settlement broker represents the policy owner. Their goal is to get the policy owner the highest possible value by selling the policy for the maximum amount. A life settlement and viatical settlement broker doesn’t buy your policy; he or she presents your policy to several qualified buyers on your behalf.
How to find the best life settlement providers?
To find the best life settlement providers, we compared 15 of the leading companies based on reputation, nationwide availability, customer service, sales process, and more. These are the six best life settlement companies the industry has to offer.
How long does it take to get a life settlement?
You can start the life settlement process by submitting a questionnaire, authorization, insurance carrier illustrations, and your past five years of medical records. The company does complete a background check to prevent fraud. The sales process may take up to 30 days.

How much do life settlement brokers make?
Life Settlement Broker Salary According to ZipRectuiter, the average salary is around $65,000 per year. For reference, that is about $31 per hour or $5300 per month, pre-tax. However, top earners can make over six figures, and even the 75th percentile are bringing home upwards of $75,000 annually, or $6000 per month.
What is a life settlement broker?
Life Settlement Broker An individual who represents the Owner of the policy. A life settlement broker is expected to offer the Owner's policy to several life settlement providers and present all offers to the Owner.
How do I become a viatical settlement broker?
Yes, in most cases, to become a viatical settlement provider, a company or a broker must be licensed as an insurance professional for at least one year. In some states, they must also complete a viatical settlement training course before they can be certified.
Who does a life settlement broker represent?
the policy ownerA life settlement broker is a state licensed professional who represents life insurance policyholders in the life settlement marketplace. This individual or entity is regulated by the Department of Insurance in the home state of the policy owner to solicit life settlement offers from multiple life settlement providers.
Is a life settlement tax Free?
Is A Viatical Settlement Taxable? Most of the time, viatical settlements are not taxable. Settlement proceeds for terminally ill insureds are considered an advance of the life insurance benefit. Life insurance benefits are tax-free, and so it follows that the viatical settlement wouldn't be taxed, either.
Are life settlements taxable?
To recap: Sale proceeds up to the amount of the cost basis are not taxable. Sale proceeds above the cost basis and up to the policy's cash surrender value are taxed as ordinary income. Any remaining sale proceeds are taxed as long-term capital gains.
When must a licensee notify the Director that they are acting as a life settlement broker?
Step 1 - Not later than ten days from the first day of operating as a life settlement broker, life agents licensed in California for at least one year must complete a Life Producer Notification of Brokering Life Settlements, form LIC 441-20N.
How do viatical settlements work?
A viatical settlement allows you to invest in another person's life insurance policy. With a viatical settlement, you purchase the policy (or part of it) at a price that is less than the death benefit of the policy. When the seller dies, you collect the death benefit.
What is a viatical settlement provider?
The viatical settlement provider, or “viatical provider,” is a company or individual that purchases the policy from the policyholder. The viatical provider may sell beneficiary and ownership rights to investors.
How big is the life settlement market?
Current Market Size According to The Deal, an estimated total of $4.6 billion was paid out to 3,241 policyholders in the year 2020. With the total payout and policies sold being up from $4.4 billion and 2,878 in 2019, respectively, there is tremendous growth potential on the market.
What is the difference between a life settlement and a viatical?
The two main categories of insurance policy sales are life settlements and viatical settlements. A life settlement differs from a viatical settlement because the insured in a life settlement is usually healthy, while a viatical settlement pertains to a sale by an insured with a terminal illness.
What is a life settlement intermediary?
Life Settlement Intermediary. is a person who maintains a system to sell or purchase a policy pursuant to a life settlement contract between the owner or broker and the life settlement provider.
What does a life settlement broker represent quizlet?
In a life settlement contract, who does the life settlement broker represent? Life Settlement Broker is a person who, for compensation, solicits, negotiates, or offers to negotiate a life settlement contract. Life settlement brokers represent only the policyowners.
What is the primary purpose of a life settlement contract?
A life settlement refers to the sale of an existing insurance policy to a third party for a one-time cash payment. The policy's purchaser becomes its beneficiary and assumes payment of its premiums, and receives the death benefit when the insured dies.
How do life insurance settlements work?
A life settlement is the sale of a life insurance policy by the policy owner to a third party. The seller typically gets more than the cash surrender value of the policy but less than the amount of the death benefit.
What is the difference between a life settlement and a viatical?
The two main categories of insurance policy sales are life settlements and viatical settlements. A life settlement differs from a viatical settlement because the insured in a life settlement is usually healthy, while a viatical settlement pertains to a sale by an insured with a terminal illness.
Application: individual or agency
If you: (1) have been licensed as a life or health insurance agent for at least one year in your resident state, and (2) if you want to act as a sole proprietor:
Temporary license
A temporary license is not offered for a life settlement broker license.
Emergency license
An emergency license is not offered for a life settlement broker license.
Provisional permit
A provisional permit is not offered for a life settlement broker license.
Laws: Texas Insurance Code
Life Settlements are licensed under Texas Insurance Code (TIC) Chapter 1111A and regulations are found in 28 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Chapter 3. Life Settlements can be both an insurance product and a securities product. This may subject them to the jurisdiction of the Texas Department of Insurance and the State Securities Board (SSB).
What is a life settlement broker?
A Life Settlement Broker is licensed to solicit, negotiate or offer to negotiate an agreement under which compensation is provided to the owner of a life insurance policy in return for assignment, transfer, sale, release devise or bequest of any portion of
How to pay licensing fees?
Licensing fees may be paid by credit card, electronic funds transfer (e-check) or paper check. If electing to pay by paper check, the application will remain pending until the Department receives and processes the check.
How long does a TBA license last?
Licenses are issued for up to 2 years. Individual/tba licenses will be issued with an expiration date determined by the applicant’s date of birth:
What is a life settlement broker?
A life settlement broker gathers all the documents needed to bring a life insurance policy to market, where it can welcome bids and offers from multiple interested buyers. This process will typically yield a significantly higher cash offer for a life insurance policy.
What is the difference between direct buyers and life settlement brokers?
The answer is not always obvious but the difference is clear: Direct buyers enable policyholders to sell a policy quickly if willing to accept a lower offer. Life settlement brokers secure higher offers but require more time to allow for an auction and bidding process.”.
Is Your Life Insurance Policy Qualified to Receive a Life Settlement?
If you’re considering a life settlement, start by using a life settlement calculator to see if your policy qualifies for a settlement. Keep in mind you must have these three elements to qualify for a life settlement:
How Soon Do You Need The Funds?
When considering using life settlement brokers, determine how soon you need the funds from the sale. Situations where people need funds fast:
What to do if your life insurance is low?
If an insurance company made you an offer that seems low, consider a quote from a licensed life settlement broker at Windsor. The brokers at Windsor have developed a private network of buyers that will actively bid for your policy. In our experience, this bidding process consistently drives offers higher. Get a quote today.
What is a broker in life insurance?
The broker is the main point of contact for the policy owner. The broker assumes all of the underwriting responsibilities, including ordering medical records, and preparing a case to go to market. This service alone offers the policyholder considerable value. As with any broker and seller relationship, monetary goals are always aligned, which ensures the best possible price for the policy. Life settlement brokers should also provide information that educates the insured about the life settlement industry and process.
Why do people sell life insurance?
An insured is motivated to sell a life insurance policy when unable/unwilling to continue paying premiums and would like to access the cash value of the policy without letting the policy lapse. One of the main reasons this happens is the insured has uses for the money to cover medical bills, fund retirement, travel etc.
LCX Life Provides All the Life Settlement Resources You Need
LCX Life is your one-stop shop for helping your clients sell their life insurance policy in a life settlement transaction.
LCX Life provides you with the tools you need to introduce your clients to life settlements
LCX Life offers you a library of documents that you can use to market life settlements to your clients. LCX Life will customize any of the materials with your information, upon request. Here are sample forms that can be used:
How does the life settlement process work?
LCX Life will help you make the life settlement process as smooth as possible. You can expect the full process to take anywhere from 30-60 days. Refer to the resource items below for additional details.
How to start a life insurance settlement?
You can start the life settlement process by submitting a questionnaire, authorization, insurance carrier illustrations, and your past five years of medical records. The company does complete a background check to prevent fraud. Coventry also offers a retained death benefit, allowing you to keep part of your policy’s payout after you stop paying premiums.
What is life settlement?
A life settlement occurs when you sell your existing life insurance policy to a third party for a one-time payment. Life settlements offer an alternative to cashing out your policy—a.k.a. getting the policy’s cash surrender value or cash value. After selling your policy, the buyer pays your premiums and receives the death benefit when you die. You may qualify for a life settlement if you are over 65 years old and have had your policy long enough to meet your state’s minimum. Typically, the death benefit of your policy must be at least $100,000.
Why do people give up life insurance?
As you get older, your life insurance policy only becomes more costly. It may even become unaffordable, so it's easy to see why so many people give up their policies. A 2019 study from the Society of Actuaries and LIMRA found that 4% of life insurance policies—worth billions of dollars—lapse every single year. 1 But if you need money, there is an alternative you may not have considered: life settlements.
What is the number one life insurance settlement provider?
Coventry earned the top spot on our list because of the company’s size and strong reputation. The company pioneered the life settlement industry by creating a secondary market for life insurance over 35 years ago. It’s the country’s biggest life settlement provider by a large margin—accounting for 40% of all transactions in 2020. Coventry was named the number-one life settlement provider in 2020 by The Deal. 2
How long does it take to sell Coventry insurance?
The sales process may take up to 30 days. Coventry also offers a retained death benefit, allowing you to keep part of your policy’s payout after you stop paying premiums. To qualify, you must be at least 65 years old or have a serious health condition with a life expectancy of less than 20 years.
How long does it take to get a life settlement from Abacus?
You may also accomplish the same thing by calling their team. The company completes a federal background check with the sales process taking 14 to 21 days.
Where is Magna Life Settlements located?
The company is based in Austin, Texas, and has been around since 2004. Magna has an A+ rating through the Better Business Bureau but the company isn’t accredited. 10

Prelicensing Requirements
- To qualify for a license, the licensing candidate must meet the following prelicensing requirements: 1. complete a Department approved prelicensing education course totaling not less than 40 hours of instruction. Visit the Prelicensing Provider/Course Liston the portal for provider contact information. 2. pass, within 2 years of applying for the li...
Fingerprints
- All applicants must submit fingerprints of both hands. All New York resident applicants must be electronically fingerprinted with IdentoGo. Non-resident applicants must submit a completed fingerprint card and fingerprint fees to the Department. Follow the instructions found in the general Fingerprinting for DFS section.
Application Requirements
- Match the submission code numbers listed under the Resident or Non-Resident columns with the corresponding numbers on the Submission Requirements Chartto determine what must be submitted with the license application. Any required documentation must be uploaded on the license application.
Fees and Renewal Period
- Licenses are issued for up to 2 years. Individual/tba licenses will be issued with an expiration date determined by the applicant’s date of birth: 1. If born in an even numbered year, the license will expire on the birthday in an even numbered year. 2. If born in an odd numbered year, the license will expire on the birthday in an odd numbered year. All licensing fees are non-refundable. A full f…
Payment Options
- Licensing fees may be paid by credit card, electronic funds transfer (e-check) or paper check. If electing to pay by paper check, the application will remain pending until the Department receives and processes the check. There is a $20 fee for any e-check or paper check returned by the bank for insufficient funds.
Browsers and Blockers
- Use a supported browser: The latest version plus one previous of IE, FF, Chrome and Safari, are supported.
- Disable “Pop-up Blockers”in your browser before using DFS portal applications.
- Maintenance: Application may be unavailable from 7:30am to 7:45am daily for scheduled maintenance.