Definition of "Viatical settlement"

Act by a person who is terminally ill of cashing in a life insurance policy to pay for the necessary associated illness, medical expenses, and final wishes. This terminally ill person contacts a viatical agent who bids the life insurance policy on the terminally ill person to the many viatical settlement companies. The package that is sent out for bids includes the terms of the life insurance policy as well as the medical prognosis of the terminally ill person. The viatical settlement company that is awarded the bid agrees to pay 50% to 80% of the FACE AMOUNT of the policy, varying according to the gravity of the terminally ill person's condition and LIFE EXPECTANCY. In turn, the viatical settlement company sells the terminally ill person's life insurance policy to an investor who then becomes the POLICYHOLDER as well as the BENEFICIARY and assumes payment of the premiums of the policy. Upon the death of the terminally ill person, the investor will receive 100% of the life insurance policy's face amount from the insurance company. The sooner the terminally ill patient dies, the higher the investor's return. While returns of 15% to 20% are typical for investors, the policies can pay off a substantially higher return if death occurs early.

image of a real estate dictionary page

Have a question or comment?

We're here to help.

*** Your email address will remain confidential.
 

 

Popular Insurance Terms

Government health care program in several European countries that has been proposed in various forms for the U.S., to be administered by the federal government. Plan A would cover all U.S. ...

Cost computation form that assumes retirement and commencement of annuity payments on the first day of the month nearest the birthday when a retiree reaches normal retirement age. Most ...

Holding company formed by at least one stock insurance company. This holding company is owned by its stockholders and is usually listed on the New York Stock Exchange or the NASDAQ. In ...

Same as term Automobile Assigned Risk Insurance Plan: coverage in which individuals who cannot obtain conventional automobile liability insurance, usually because of adverse driving ...

Coverage on an all risks basis, subject to exclusions of war, wear and tear, loss resulting from delay, loss of market, infidelity of the insured's employee, loss due to rain, sleet, snow, ...

Retirement plan offered by public employers and tax-exempt organizations. Under Section 403(b) of the Internal Revenue Code, certain tax-exempt organizations such as public school systems ...

Same as term Tabular Plans: retrospective rating system with basic, minimum, and maximum premium rates listed in manual tables. Calculation of an individual premium involves adjusting the ...

Coverage for paintings, pictures, etchings, tapestries, art glass windows, antique furniture, coin collections, and stamp collections owned by individuals and businesses. These works are ...

Combination property, liability, and business interruption policy. It is usually written to cover expenses of small and medium size businesses resulting from damage or destruction of ...

Popular Insurance Questions