Death Claim on Final Expense - Carrier Won't Disclose Decision to Agent

[MVI]

I worked with a client who insured their parent. I do not want to disclose the carrier - not sure if I'm allowed to under contract BUT anyways....

The client's parent passed away within the 2 year elimination period. We sent the death packet to the carrier and its been about a month.

I called the carrier to followup and they said they have come to a decision and sent it via mail to the client a week ago.

BUT THEY WOULDNT disclose anything to me.....the agent.....who kind of needs to know these things......

So my question is, "is this typical in the FE world"? I'm used to carriers working with the agent throughout the whole process.

Thanks

 

[Newby]

No it's not. But it sounds like they declined it to me. Could be wrong.

 

[VolAgent]

Watch your commission statements, that will tell you. If you get a chargeback, then it was rescinded, if no chargeback then it was paid.

 

[adjusterjack]

The client's parent passed away within the 2 year elimination period.

The proper term is "contestability" period.

BUT THEY WOULDNT disclose anything to me.....the agent.....who kind of needs to know these things......

Ask your client.

You sold the policy but you're not a party to the contract which is probably why the company won't disclose the decision to you.

Whether it's typical in the FE world or not, it's certainly within any given insurance company's rights to its privacy standards.

 

[PA Bill]

Well, I guess this proves Rouse's point of who the clients truly belong to. "Butt out, buddy. This is none of your concern".

 

[Newby]

Well, I guess this proves Rouse's point of who the clients truly belong to. "Butt out, buddy. This is none of your concern".

No news is sometimes good news.

 

[MVI]

No it's not. But it sounds like they declined it to me. Could be wrong.

Probably. Thats my guess too.

Watch your commission statements, that will tell you. If you get a chargeback, then it was rescinded, if no chargeback then it was paid.

Good point. It is a lagging indicator but a way to tell whether it was paid eventually.

The proper term is "contestability" period.



Ask your client.

You sold the policy but you're not a party to the contract which is probably why the company won't disclose the decision to you.

Whether it's typical in the FE world or not, it's certainly within any given insurance company's rights to its privacy standards.

Yeah, sorry contestability period. Your Right.

I'm in constant contact with the client and they rely on me to do the service work on this. They are also P&C clients too, big household. So in this scenario it is my responsibility to take care of the service end (at least that is their expectation that we have set). Unfortunately the carrier has been less than par in communicating with me or the client - so that put the responsibility on me to straighten it out even more....just to be told to screw off more or less.

Well, I guess this proves Rouse's point of who the clients truly belong to. "Butt out, buddy. This is none of your concern".

That is pretty much what they said. I requested a call back from a manager - but no word yet.

No news is sometimes good news.

One can hope!

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Thanks all for the replies. Appreciate it.

 

[WinoBlues]

Many times a claims rep with a good company will work with you. Sometimes it will be no more than a "it had to do with question 3a"

Sounds like you are a hands on insurance agent. Ask Your clients to call you when they are get the letter and text a copy to you. I feel it is something you need to know and have in your file. Also, if declined you should know why. It is absolutely your business to know.

IMohsoHO

 

[titeye]

Considering your relationship with the client, most likely you will be the 2nd to know. Hopefully, your client did not give them any reason to deny the claim. However, I am curious about something you said. Although it makes sense why the insurer would not disclose their decision to the agent, but what is it that concerns you about disclosing who the insurer is?

 

[MVI]

Many times a claims rep with a good company will work with you. Sometimes it will be no more than a "it had to do with question 3a"

Sounds like you are a hands on insurance agent. Ask Your clients to call you when they are get the letter and text a copy to you. I feel it is something you need to know and have in your file. Also, if declined you should know why. It is absolutely your business to know.

IMohsoHO

Agreed. Good points. I have a follow up this coming week with the client. Good suggestions.

Considering your relationship with the client, most likely you will be the 2nd to know. Hopefully, your client did not give them any reason to deny the claim. However, I am curious about something you said. Although it makes sense why the insurer would not disclose their decision to the agent, but what is it that concerns you about disclosing who the insurer is?

Yeah I most likely will be second to know.

Also, good question on me disclosing the insurance company. There are a few reasons I don't feel comfortable with that, but mainly because I don't think its smart to have a smear campaign. I recognize that maybe it was the exception and not the rule. Maybe the person on the phone was having a bad day. I'm sure my agency has made mistakes and I would hope others would treat me the same way.