Breaking News

Financial

Close 3 out of 5 in the Final Expense Market

iStock_000017189966XSmall2

A lot has changed since 1985 when I entered the senior insurance market.  Back then, I worked with a captive company and learned as much as I could about Medicare, long-term care, and individual life insurance and fixed annuities. When the government standardized Medicare Supplement plans in 1992, this product became a commodity.  This was great for consumers, but not …

Read More »

The Less-Than-One-Year Planning Window

iStock_000014940039XSmall2

We’ve all heard the old adage that timing is everything. This is certainly true in the world of estate planning and wealth transfer, especially right now. In 2010, the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act postponed higher taxes and lowered the estate tax exemption we expected in 2011–but only until 2013. The act included a higher exemption …

Read More »

Place Over 95% of Your Cases Regardless of Age or Health

iStock_000013102071XSmall2

Many agents walk away from potential sales because they think the client is too sick or too old to obtain coverage. Years ago, there was a true impaired risk market where companies such as US Life and State Life would underwrite cases using different criteria and many times accepted risks that other companies would not. That is no longer the …

Read More »

Be Willing to Get Tough

iStock_000012345547XSmall2

Nice guys don’t have to finish last, but trying to make sure you never upset anyone is guaranteed to slow you down. If you are serious about your professional goals, you can’t be worried about keeping everyone happy. This may sound as if I’m contradicting my own motto: It’s all about them. But don’t be fooled. “Them” refers to people …

Read More »

Insuring the Parents of Children with Special Needs

iStock_000016511899XSmall2

According to the most recent survey conducted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 13.9 % of children in the U.S have special health care needs. These needs vary and can include a range of conditions including chronic physical, developmental, behavioral, or emotional challenges.  The special needs of these children typically require health and related services for an …

Read More »

Life Insurance with Living Benefits

iStock_000013194765XSmall2

That title really is industry speak but tries very hard to explain what this product offers. This plan is being aggressively marketed, now that other plans are getting some press and favorable sales numbers. The plans I am referring to are critical illness and chronic illness. What they have done with this plan is offer you a life insurance policy …

Read More »

Differentiating Yourself in the Family Business Market

iStock_000018606148XSmall2

One of the most lucrative markets for insurance sales is family-owned businesses.  And, as the estate planning market wanes or possibly even disappears, the business succession planning market is likely to become even more important as well as more competitive. One of the biggest challenges facing practitioners is how to differentiate themselves from the competition in their chosen market.  If …

Read More »

Are You Committed To Your Success?

iStock_000018593111XSmall

Sure, many Advisors say they are committed to their success, but are they really? When it comes to commitment to your success, there has to be a “no excuses, no exception” rule to back it up.  This “no excuses, no exception” rule especially holds true for Advisors, simply because there is no one to point the finger at should things …

Read More »

8 Ideas for Getting Things Done…The Right Way

iStock_000013749421XSmall

We all want more success and the fear of failure can often be the driving force of our actions.  We work long hours and sacrifice personal time, and even sleep.  We put our heart and soul into what we’re trying to achieve, only to find that we’re spinning our wheels.  We think we’re getting things done because at the end …

Read More »

Are Limiting Beliefs Stopping You from Achieving Your Goals?

iStock_000013665895XSmall

Inherently speaking, there is nothing that you are not capable of accomplishing.  The truth is, there is no such thing as can’t – you only think you can’t.  Success is not a special privilege handed out to a select few; success comes to applying success-oriented beliefs.  Transform limiting beliefs into success beliefs and you can achieve anything. During one of …

Read More »