Life Settlement: Towards A Free Market for Life Insurance

The Life Settlement market is all about providing due access to needed cash from existing life insurance.

This so-called free market referred to as the life insurance industry's secondary market is based on a central premise, namely that the value of life insurance is best determined by independent market forces and has been validated in recent years by its rapid growth. It is also amazing to see the value creation and opportunities that this market presents. What it a life settlement and why may it be an attractive financial alternative to policy holders?

Various market providers in this sector of the industry are focused on servicing viatical settlements, life settlements, and senior settlements. Maximizing the profitable offering price for your life insurance policy in what is commonly referred to the secondary market for life insurance. Quite innovative, albeit counter-intuitive, advocating looking at things from a totally different perspective and finding new value in life insurance

Life insurance provides financial solutions to meet various needs of businesses and families. Over time, however it also needs to be dynamic and change with the holders and the/their demands. For example as loans are repaid , key executives retire, estates become smaller, businesses are sold, estate taxes are reduced - or better yet, no longer exist of in cases where the policy simply becomes too expensive it is definitely time to revisit said policy.

Until just several years ago, individuals in the situations laid out about above were facing a monopoly, a market situation in which a seller can only sell to one buyer. Imagine if a homeowner, after living in the home for many years, was told that instead of being permitted to sell the home to any willing buyer, he or she could only sell it back to the original builder at the price determined by the builder. Clearly, no one would tolerate such a situation for homeowners, but it has existed for life insurance policy owners. For many years, policy owners have had only one buyer for their policies - the life insurers. The advent of a secondary market has lessened the monopoly power of life insurers and created a free market for policy owners to create value from and using their insurance.

Before the advent of the secondary market, life insurance policies could not readily be sold, and it would have made little sense to speak of a policy's fair market value. By its very existence, this new and growing secondary market for life insurance bestows on every policy a fair market value like the owner's other financial assets. A life settlement can now be treated like any other financial vehicle.

Jon Thomas has been involved in finance and insurance, specializing in emerging growth markets since 1979. http://www.life-settlementco.com

In The News:

Yahoo! News: Top Stories

President-elect Barack Obama speaks about the economy, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2009, at George Mason University in Fairfax, Va. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)AP - Pushed by fellow Democrats, President-elect Barack Obama agreed to modest changes in his proposed tax cuts on Friday after inviting lawmakers to "just show me" ideas for fixing an economy shedding jobs at an alarming rate.



Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich makes a statement Friday, Jan. 9, 2009 in Chicago, after he was impeached by the Illinois House on a wide array of offenses including criminal corruption and wasting taxpayers money. The two term Democrat becomes the first governor in the history of Illinois to be impeached. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)AP - Gov. Rod Blagojevich was impeached Friday by Illinois lawmakers furious that he turned state government into a "freak show," setting the stage for an unprecedented trial in the state Senate that could get him thrown out of office.



An Israeli border police officer in the West Bank city of Hebron, throws a stun grenade during minor clashes with Palestinians following a protest against Israel's military operations in the Gaza Strip, Friday Jan. 9, 2009. Israeli jets and helicopters bombarded Gaza Friday and Hamas responded with a barrage of rockets on two cities as both sides defied a U.N. call for an immediate cease-fire. (AP Photo/Nasser Shiyoukhi)AP - Israeli jets and ground troops hammered at Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip and Islamic militants fired barrages of rockets at southern Israeli cities Friday, ignoring a U.N. resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire after two weeks of combat.



AP - Speaking out two years after being embroiled in a gay sex scandal, former evangelical pastor Ted Haggard said Friday his sexual identity is complex and can't be put into "stereotypical boxes," but that his relationship with his wife is stronger than ever.

In this Nov. 4, 2008 file photo, Gov. Sarah Palin, R-Alaska, is seen on stage during an election night rally in Phoenix.  In an interview with conservative radio talk-show host and filmmaker John Ziegler, Palin questioned whether Caroline Kennedy was getting better treatment than Palin did as Republican presidential candidate John McCain's running mate. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola, File)AP - She messed up her first interviews, didn't show much of a grasp of the issues and, dontcha know, had a speech pattern that was widely mimicked.



Texas death row inmate Andre Thomas is shown in this undated handout file photo released Friday, Jan. 9, 2009 in Huntsville, Texas. Thomas, who has a history of mental problems is being treated at a prison psychiatric unit after authorities said he pulled out his only good eye and ate it.  He similarly had plucked out his right eye before his trial in 2004. (AP Photo/Texas Department of Criminal Justice, FILE)AP - A Texas death row inmate with a history of mental problems pulled out his only good eye and told authorities he ate it. Andre Thomas, 25, was arrested for the fatal stabbings of his estranged wife, their young son and her 13-month-old daughter in March 2004. Their hearts also had been ripped out. He was convicted and condemned for the infant's death.



This photo released by Dr. David McDonald of Friendswood, Texas, shows a pine flycatcher bird he photographed on Jan. 4, 2009 in Choke Canyon State Park, Texas. (AP Photo/David McDonald)AP - Birders with binoculars and cameras are flocking to a remote state park in search of a small yellow-chested bird that apparently crossed the U.S. border for the first time from its high-mountain habitat to the south.



In these 2008 file photos, actress Jennifer Carpenter, left, arrives at the 60th Primetime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles, and actor Michael C. Hall arrives at the CBS, CW and Showtime Press Tour Party in Los Angeles. Hall's spokesman, Craig Bankey, said Friday, Jan. 9, 2009, that the couple eloped in California on New Year's Eve. They'll walk the red carpet together at the Golden Globe Awards on Sunday, the first time publicly acknowledging their relationship. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, file)AP - They play brother and sister on "Dexter." Now in real life, Michael C. Hall and Jennifer Carpenter are husband and wife. Hall's spokesman, Craig Bankey, said on Friday that the couple eloped in California on New Year's Eve. They'll walk the red carpet together at the Golden Globe Awards on Sunday — the first time publicly acknowledging their relationship.



In this photo released by the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, 'George,' a live 20 pound lobster rests on a plate at City Crab and Seafood in New York, Friday, Jan. 9, 2009. City Crab and Seafood has spared the lobster, which is expected to be released Saturday, Jan. 10, near Kennebunkport, Maine, in an area where lobster trapping is forbidden. PETA and the restaurant gauged George's age at about 140, using a rule of thumb based on the creature's weight. (AP Photo/P.E.T.A.)AP - A new lease on life — at 140? That's what a Manhattan lobster got Friday, when the 20-pound crustacean named George was released from a swanky Park Avenue restaurant's tank. City Crab and Seafood agreed to a request from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals to let the lobster return to the Atlantic Ocean.



AP - Baseball authorized nearly 8 percent of its players to use drugs for ADHD last season, which allowed them to take otherwise banned stimulants. A total of 106 exemptions for banned drugs were given to major leaguers claiming attention deficit hyperactivity disorder from the end of the 2007 season until the end of the 2008 season, according to a report released Friday by the sport's independent drug-testing administrator.

Former Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin participates in a panel discussion about Poverty Alleviation at the Clinton Global Initiative, in New York, September 20, 2006. (Chip East/Reuters)Reuters - Citigroup Inc is in advanced talks to sell its Smith Barney brokerage unit to Morgan Stanley, a person familiar with the matter said on Friday, in a move that would further dismantle the financial supermarket that has been bailed out by the U.S. government.



Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich speaks during a news conference in Chicago, Illinois January 9, 2009, as he points to Illinois residents that he clamed have been helped by the issues that are now being used as the Illinois House voted to impeachment him. (Stephen J. Carrera/Reuters)Reuters - The Illinois House of Representatives impeached Gov. Rod Blagojevich on Friday for abuse of power, including a charge that he tried to sell President-elect Barack Obama's former U.S. Senate seat.



An Israeli soldier covers his ears after firing a mortar mounted on an armored personnel carrier (APC) towards Gaza from its position outside the northern Gaza Strip January 9, 2009. (Yannis Behrakis/Reuters)Reuters - Israel pressed on with a punishing Gaza offensive and Hamas sent more rocket salvoes into southern Israeli towns in a two-week-old war that continued to defy international efforts to stop it.



House Financial Services Committee Chairman Rep. Barney Frank speaks at the Office of Thrift Supervision National Housing Forum in Washington, December 8, 2008. (Jim Young/Reuters)Reuters - President-elect Barack Obama and a key Democratic lawmaker revealed plans on Friday to overhaul the government's $700 billion financial rescue fund as a way to aid struggling homeowners and speed the flow of credit.



Employers slashed payrolls by 524,000 in December, driving the unemployment rate to its highest level in almost 16 years, a government report showed on Friday, suggesting that the year-long recession was deepening. (Graphic/Reuters)Reuters - The unemployment rate surged to the highest in nearly 16 years last month as a deepening year-long recession forced companies to axe more than half a million jobs, government data showed on Friday.



Voters fill their ballots during the U.S. presidential election in West Hollywood, California November 4, 2008. (Mario Anzuoni/Reuters)Reuters - The U.S. Supreme Court said on Friday it would consider a challenge to a central provision of the 44-year-old voting rights law aimed at preventing states and local governments from making it harder for minorities to vote.



A foreclosed home is seen in Stockton, California in this May 13, 2008 file photo. A top bank industry group said on Friday that it opposes an agreement between financial giant Citigroup Inc  (Robert Galbraith/Files/Reuters)Reuters - A top bank industry group said on Friday that it opposes an agreement between Citigroup Inc and Democratic senators that would rewrite U.S. bankruptcy law to help troubled mortgage borrowers avoid foreclosure, saying it could make home loans more expensive.



A man works near a pressure gauge at a district heating plant in Skopje January 8, 2009. (Ognen Teofilovski/Reuters)Reuters - The European Union sought to finalize details on Friday of a gas monitoring deal to allow the resumption of gas supplies to Europe via Ukraine, which have been cut off for days over a pricing row.



A relative of Palestinian journalist Ihab al-Wihedi and his wife mourns prior to their funeral in Gaza City. Tanks and warplanes pounded Gaza on Friday after Israel defied a truce order from the UN Security Council as the death toll from the two-week-old conflict against Hamas passed 800.(AFP/Mahmud Hams)AFP - Tanks and warplanes pounded Gaza on Friday after Israel defied a truce order from the UN Security Council as the death toll from the two-week-old conflict against Hamas passed 800.



This US Navy photo shows the MV Sirius Star as it is observed at anchor by the US Navy. Somali pirates said Friday they had freed a Saudi-owned supertanker, whose capture nearly two months ago caused panic in international shipping and spurred the world into tougher anti-piracy action.(AFP/NVNS/David B. Hudson)AFP - Somali pirates said Friday they had freed a Saudi-owned supertanker, whose capture nearly two months ago caused panic in international shipping and spurred the world into tougher anti-piracy action.




What To Do When You Suffer An Injury On The Job?

For over 30 years I have been representing injured workers in workers... Read More

Car Insurance Online ? Benefits of Applying for Auto Insurance Online

Drivers are applying for auto insurance online not just for the convenience... Read More

Life Insurance Information

Life insurance is a personal insurance plan designed to pay out a... Read More

How Much Can My Auto Rate Increase After One Accident?

Accidents almost always make your insurance rates increase. Whether or not the... Read More

Private Health Insurance: A Sense of Dissatisfaction

The three C's, customization, consumerization and customer-satisfaction, seem to be at the... Read More

Insurance for Car Wash Fundraisers

Non-profit groups in this day and age need to watch out for... Read More

Term Life Insurance on Your Business Partner

Life insurance is something we often take out to protect our family... Read More

Types of Life Insurance

There are different types of life insurance policies available. Shop around and... Read More

Long-Term Care Insurance: Eldercare Solution

When I suddenly had to become a fulltime caregiver to my elderly... Read More

Your Cars After-impact Diminished Value

The(ACV)Actual Cash Value Policy DOES NOT insure the property itself but the... Read More

Health Insurance Quotes Online - Tips On Finding a Good Provider

Since 2001, major health insurance providers have been allowing consumers to buy... Read More

What Should I Do About Billing Problems When Using HSA Money?

If you run into a billing problem or misunderstanding with a hospital... Read More

Shopping Options for Auto Insurance

Shopping for car insurance can be a big undertaking. It can be... Read More

UK House Insurance - The Risk of Under-insurance

For many years in the UK, motor insurance has been a competitive... Read More

Insurance Credit Scoring: An Ethical Issue

The issue at hand is the use of a consumer's credit score... Read More

Filing Homeowners Insurance Claim Forms: What Steps to Take

Filing a homeowners insurance claim can be done with ease if the... Read More

Filing Auto Insurance Claims: The Basic Steps to Take

An automobile accident can be a terrifying event for anyone, even when... Read More

Insurance for Those Who Run Bed and Breakfast Properties

A Bed and Breakfast, often referred to as a B&B, is a... Read More

CarInsurance.com Is Available At All Dealerships With Internet Access!

You are ready to buy your first car. Researching the right vehicle... Read More

Finding California Truck Insurance

It's very easy to find California truck insurance on the internet today.... Read More

Term Life Insurance Quotes for Singles

Term life insurance quotes are rarely a concern of single people, but... Read More

How Is Your Auto Insurance Policy Price Determined?

The average auto insurance policy price is derived from a variety of... Read More

The Life Insurance Policy and What You Need to Know Before You Buy

Are you looking to buy a life insurance policy? Well, be careful.... Read More

Term Or Whole Life Insurance - Which Is Right For You?

One of the most important things you will ever do is to... Read More

The Immorality of Guarantee Issue Health Insurance

While there are genuine debates about whether privatized health insurance or nationalized... Read More

Travel Insurance Might Be Just What You Need!

Travel insurance is something that many people haven't considered. Sure, it's possible... Read More

Should You Have Higher Deductibles On Your Coverage?

What is a deductible? A deductible is the amount you pay before... Read More

What Is Permanent Life Insurance?

Unlike term life insurance, permanent insurance policies such as universal life, variable... Read More

Discount Auto Insurance

Whether you are looking for car insurance in Canada, the USA, or... Read More

Why Boat Insurance Doesnt Help A Lousy Sailor

For thousands of years men have sailed the seas. From the earliest... Read More

5 Steps To Cheap Car Insurance Premiums

Although car insurance is compulsory, it's not necessary to pay more than... Read More

Six Ways to Cut the Cost of Your Auto Insurance

Is your auto insurance bill $12000 a year or even higher? It's... Read More

Home Insurance Terms

Home insurance, or even homeowners insurance, is an insurance policy that combines... Read More

Useful Tips on Reducing Insurance Costs

Most people want lower insurance costs but are often too lazy to... Read More

Cheap Insurance - Ten Ways

Cheap insurance? Auto insurance, life insurance, health insurance, liability insurance - whatever... Read More

Do You Pay Too Much For Your Car Insurance?

Do the premiums just seem to get higher and higher every year?It... Read More

Avoiding The Potholes Of Car Insurance

Car Insurance is an issue that we all of face in our... Read More

Guide to Home Insurance

Here is a useful guide to Home Insurance. Home insurance covers damage... Read More

Finding Health Insurance for Self-Employed Individuals: A Guide For the Freelance Newbie

With a rise in those looking to venture out on their own... Read More

Will Online Automobile Insurance Quotes Really Save Me Money?

If you're looking to save money on your auto insurance then online... Read More

Auto Insurance In Texas

If you are looking for auto insurance in texas, you might want... Read More

Cheap Car Insurance ? 7 Tips To Reduce Your Car Insurance Costs

With the cost of car insurance becoming more and more of an... Read More

Auto Insurance Rates

Auto insurance rates will vary depending on the insurance agency, your driving... Read More

Saving on Home Insurance: Tips for Cutting Costs

Everyone is searching for a way of cutting costs, a method to... Read More

Tips For Lowering Your Auto Insurance Quote

Do you have many claims? If so, you should do all you... Read More

Why Should You Purchase Your Auto Insurance Online?

If you're interested in slashing your auto insurance bill in half then... Read More

Can I Get Affordable Dental Care?

In the United States most companies offer their employees dental insurance, but... Read More