Conversion of Term Policy Procedures

Here are some simple guidelines for writing conversions of a Term Policy (Term Rider conversions were covered in last weeks hint)

When writing an application to convert a term policy to permanent coverage, keep in mind that only the term plan is convertible.                    

• Accidental Death Benefit (ADB), Waiver of Premium (WP), and B2000 are not convertible.

• Children's Riders will be moved to the new policy ONLY IF the existing policy is being cancelled.

• If the Face amount of the conversion application is LOWER than the amount of the existing policy, you need to tell us what to do with the remainder of the existing term coverage.  Should we keep the existing policy or should it be cancelled?
   

When You MUST answer ALL the health questions: 

• Anytime you add supplementary benefits

• When the face amount of the conversion application is HIGHER than the amount of the existing policy. 

 

 The application will be forwarded to the Underwriting Department to evaluate the request for the additional requested benefit.

 

Remember to always collect the full 1-month initial premium for the conversion policy and NOT the difference in premium between the old policy and the new one.

• As a rule we use the paid to date of the previous coverage as the issue date of the new policy to prevent double billing.

• An exception would be made in order to save age on the new policy

If there is a refund to be made, it will be done by Policy Owner Service from the OLD policy after the new policy has been finalized.

Lastly one of the most important procedures.  Properly mark the transmittal when you submit the conversion by checking the box, " Rider Add-on/ Conversions".  This notifies us that conversions are attached and we will pull them for immediate processing.  This will also prevent us from loading a conversion application as a new application.
 

 

Policy Issue Hint

10 Year Renewable and Convertible Plan Conversions

 

Most of the convertible term plans we sell have a maximum age at which they can be converted.  That age is 63 in the case of 10 year term policies/riders.  How does this impact you?  If you sell a 59 year old a 10YRC, they can continue to pay for coverage all the way to age 65 (always refer to the expiry date on page 3 or 3A for a term rider).  However, they cannot convert the policy after age 63.  

The easy way to know when a rider can be converted is to look at Page 3 or 3A (for a term rider) of the existing policy.  There is a statement listed there which says, "THIS RIDER MAY BE CONVERTED BEFORE mm/dd/yyyy."   The date you see there is based on the insured's age.  If the date listed has already passed, conversion eligibility has expired.  Any app received after the conversion date would need to be completed in full as it would require underwriting review. Please remember, the maximum age a 10YRC can be converted is 63.  

We will convert any non-smoker coverage to a non-smoker policy without evidence of insurability.  We will not need the oral test completed and we do not require that medical questions be answered. For existing term coverage that does not have smoker/non-smoker rates, such as the 10 Year R&C written before the 2001 CSO, we will need an oral test if the applicant wishes to qualify for non-smoker rates.  We do not require that medical questions be answered.

 

Policy Issue Hint

Add On and Bill With

 

By knowing when to use the phrases "Add-On" and "Bill With", the agents will reduce confusion in their instructions to home office.  

ADD-ON
When an agent is completing an application to ADD to an existing policy    

• a Benefit (Example: Waiver of Premium, B2000)     

• a Rider (Example: Ten Year Term, Spouse Rider)

they should write at the top of the application, "Add-On to #1234567". 
Also, the agent should check the box on the new business transmittal for "RIDER ADD-ONS/CONVERSIONS".  

BILL WITH
When the agent is completing a new business application (Example: Whole Life, A71) and the coverage is to be BILLED with an existing policy, they should write the existing policy number at the top of the app, "bill with #1234567".  

By following these simple guidelines you will save yourself and home office time.  You will also help us to know your intentions when you made the sale.