Settlement FAQs

who is the viator in a viatical settlement

by Eloisa Bednar Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
image

Viatical settlements allow someone diagnosed with a life-threatening illness to sell their life insurance policy for cash. This person is known as the “viator.” The third party they sell their policy to is an institutional investor, usually a viatical settlement company such as us here at American Life Fund.

A “viator” is the owner of an individual life insurance policy or a certificate holder under a group policy who enters or seeks to enter into a viatical settlement contract. The “insured” is the person on whose life an insurance policy is written. Usually, the insured is also the viator.

Full Answer

Who qualifies for a viatical settlement?

Any individual with a chronic or life-threatening illness and an existing life insurance policy qualifies for a viatical settlement. The policy can be term, whole life, universal, group, or joint. For a policy to be eligible, it must have been in effect for at least two years and have a face value of a minimum of $100,000.

What is a viatical settlement contract?

The definition of viatical settlement contract is simply a document detailing the acquisition of a life insurance policy from a life insurance policyholder, the viator, to a third party, such as a viatical settlement provider.

What is a “Viator”?

This person is known as the “viator.” The third party they sell their policy to is an institutional investor, usually a viatical settlement company such as us here at American Life Fund.

How to sell a life insurance policy under a viatical settlement?

To sell a life insurance policy under a senior life settlement, the policyholder must be of sound mind and body, over the age threshold required (usually 75). Before selling a life insurance policy under a viatical settlement, the seller must have been diagnosed with a life-threatening or chronic illness.

image

Who is a Viator?

A viator is a person who has been diagnosed with a terminal or life-threatening illness and decides to sell their life insurance policy. In doing so, viators receive a portion of the death benefits while they are still alive.

Who is a person other than a Viator that enters into a viatical settlement contract?

Viatical settlement provider means a person, other than a viator, that enters into or effectuates a viatical settlement contract.

What is another name for the insured in a viatical settlement?

What is another name for the insured in a viatical settlement? The insured in a viatical settlement is also known as the viator.

Who must approve a viatical settlement?

the CommissionerA viatical settlement contract or disclosure statement form shall be deemed approved by the Commissioner if not disapproved within 60 days from submission.

How does a viatical settlement 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 Viator in insurance?

'Viator' means the owner of a life insurance policy insuring the life of a person who has a catastrophic or life threatening illness or condition, who enters into an agreement under which the viatical settlement company will pay compensation or anything of value, which compensation or value is less than the expected ...

Who pays premiums in viatical settlement?

The buyerThe buyer (funder), usually an investment company, pays the patient a lump sum of 50–80 percent of the policy's face value, pays the premiums until the patient dies, and receives the death benefit.

Who is responsible for keeping a policy in force after a viatical settlement is made?

The buyer (the viatical settlement provider) becomes the new owner of the life insurance policy, pays future premiums, and collects the death benefit when the insured dies. At one time, most viatical settlements were from people with a life-threatening illness.

What is the primary feature of a viatical settlement?

So, What Is the Primary Feature of a Viatical Settlement? Essentially, it is the prepayment of a death benefit at a reduced rate. However, it is important to note that the cash settlement is provided in exchange for the sale and transfer of the ownership rights of the life insurance policy.

Who is the owner and who is the beneficiary on a key person?

Under a key person life insurance policy, the business owns the policy, pays the premiums and is the beneficiary. If a key person dies, the business then collects a 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.

What is a viatical settlement broker?

What Defines a Viatical Settlement Broker? A person who negotiates viatical settlements on behalf of a life Insurance policy holder. Viatical Settlement Brokers (“VSB”) work with several financial institutions that buy insurance policies, to find the best prices for their clients.

What is a viatical broker?

What Defines a Viatical Settlement Broker? A person who negotiates viatical settlements on behalf of a life Insurance policy holder. Viatical Settlement Brokers (“VSB”) work with several financial institutions that buy insurance policies, to find the best prices for their clients.

Who is the owner and who is the beneficiary on a key person?

Under a key person life insurance policy, the business owns the policy, pays the premiums and is the beneficiary. If a key person dies, the business then collects a death benefit.

Who is the owner and who is the beneficiary on a key person life insurance policy quizlet?

Who is the owner and who is the beneficiary on a Key Person Life Insurance Policy? The employer is the owner and beneficiary.

Which of the following best defines the owner in a life settlement contract?

Which of the following best defines the owner of a life settlement contract? The term "owner" refers to the owner of the policy who may seek to enter into a life settlement contract.

What is a Viatical Settlement?

Viatical settlements allow someone diagnosed with a life-threatening illness to sell their life insurance policy for cash. This person is known as...

How Does a Viatical Settlement Work?

Once someone has decided to sell their life insurance policy, they usually reach out directly to a viatical settlement company or viatical settleme...

How Much Money Will I Get from a Viatical Settlement?

Typically, the rate you’ll receive is 50 to 70% of the policy’s value. For example, let’s say the viator, John, has a life insurance policy for $50...

How Much Money Will I Get from a Viatical Settlement?

Typically, the rate you’ll receive is 50 to 70% of the policy’s value. For example, let’s say the viator, John, has a life insurance policy for $50...

Viatical Settlements vs. Senior Life Settlements – How Are They Different?

On the surface, it seems like viatical settlements and senior life settlements are the same things, but they differ in a few crucial ways. Senior L...

Why Choose a Viatical Settlement?

The main reason why a person may choose to sell a viatical settlement is that the policyholder needs the money. This need could be for anything: a...

How Quickly Can I Get a Viatical Settlement?

Typical payout time with American Life Fund is within a few weeks.

Who Qualifies for a Viatical Settlement?

Any individual with a chronic or life-threatening illness and an existing life insurance policy qualifies for a viatical settlement. The policy can...

What is a viatic settlement?

Viatical settlements allow someone diagnosed with a life-threatening illness to sell their life insurance policy for cash. This person is known as the “viator.”

Why Choose a Viatical Settlement?

The main reason why a person may choose to sell a viatical settlement is that the policyholder needs the money. This need could be for anything: a house, a car, a family emergency, or an investment opportunity.

How Quickly Can I Get a Viatical Settlement?

Typical payout time with American Life Fund is within a few weeks. Here’s how it works:

What is viatical life?

Per the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), any individual with a chronic illness or terminal illness, defined as a condition that affects the activities of daily living, and an existing policy with an insurance company may qualify for a viatical life settlement.

How long does a viaticated policy last?

Generally speaking, the viaticated policy needs to have been in effect for a minimum of one year and have a valuation of at least $100,000. A viatical settlement purchaser may also have life expectancy requirements for each applicant, typically two to four years or less.

What do policyholders use viatical settlement funds for?

Some policyholders use the funds from their viatical settlement to seek further treatment or even experimental treatments.

How long do you have to live to get a life settlement?

Life settlements are typically given to those who are expected to live more than two to four years or whose diagnosis is debilitating but not terminal, and viatical settlements are given to those expected to live less than two to four years.

What Is a Viator?

A viator is a person who has been diagnosed with a terminal or life-threatening illness and decides to sell their life insurance policy. In doing so, viators receive a portion of the death benefits while they are still alive.

What is a viator in insurance?

A viator is a person who has been diagnosed with a terminal or life-threatening illness and decides to sell their life insurance policy. In doing so, viators receive a portion of the death benefits while they are still alive.

What happens to a viator after death?

Viatical settlements are not without risk. After all, a viator may experience remission or take advantage of an experimental procedure that prolongs their life or cures them completely.

How much did Ted sell his insurance to the VSP?

Now, Ted is selling the policy to the VSP for $250,000. Ted will receive approximately 50 percent of what his original payout would have been and the VSP will make a profit of $250,000, minus any monthly premiums that are made up until the time of Ted’s death.

What is a VSP?

In order to generate a profit, the VSP purchases the life insurance policy at a discount, paying the viator less than its face value. The VSP is then responsible for the premium payments associated with the life insurance policy for the duration of the viator’s life.

What Is a Viatical Settlement?

A viatical settlement is an arrangement in which someone who is terminally or chronically ill sells their life insurance policy at a discount from its face value for ready cash. In exchange for the cash, the seller of the life insurance policy relinquishes the right to leave the policy's death benefit to a beneficiary of their choice.

Who licenses viatical settlements?

In many states in the U.S., companies that buy viatical settlements to sell to investors are licensed by state insurance commissioners. For more information and a list of state insurance regulators, visit the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).

How long does a life insurance policy last in a viatical settlement?

In a viatical settlement, the life expectancy of the insured is generally two years or less. If a life insurance policyholder is considering a life settlement, they should first consider all available options for obtaining the needed cash. There might be a better way to utilize a life insurance policy.

How long does a life insurance settlement last?

A life settlement differs from a viatical settlement in that the insured seeking to sell their life insurance policy has an estimated life expectancy greater than two years.

Can a buyer of a viatical settlement check on your health?

The buyer of a viatical settlement is allowed to check on your health condition periodically . Make sure you understand who will get access to this information. All questions on an application form must be answered truthfully and completely—especially questions about medical history.

image
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9