Life insurance with living benefits for visa holders

Life insurance with living benefits for visa holders is possible!

You might ask, what are living benefits, and why should I be concerned about this? We will show you a side of a life insurance policy that you might not be aware of.

Before jumping in, we would like to take a moment and let you know that we specialize in life insurance for non-permanent residents. We have helped countless foreign nationals secure the best life insurance plan for them and their families. If you have any questions or want us to review your situation, give us a call or request an instant quote.

Here are the questions we will answer

Why visa holders may look into this type of coverage

What are the living benefits

What kinds of visas are eligible for life insurance with living benefits

Which insurance providers offer these products

Steps to get life insurance as a non-US citizen

Frequently asked questions

Why many visa holders are looking into this coverage?

Let’s start here and answer why one might care about living benefits in life insurance.

Many of our clients select this type of policy, as it gives them more than “death insurance”. Simply put, they do not have to die for insurance to pay out.

But, here is what makes this attractive to visa holders and their families:.

We often work with first-generation immigrants to the US. Many of our clients do not have extended family to help in case of a health emergency. This leaves them relying only on their spouses and/or savings.

Having access to a lump sum, that they do NOT have to pay back, gives them peace of mind and allows them to focus on their health. The money can be used however they feel fit, even if this means returning to their country of origin and seeking alternative care there.

The possibilities are endless…

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What are living benefits in life insurance?

Living benefits allow you to use the death benefit of a life insurance policy, while you are still alive. 

Yes, you do not have to die for a life insurance policy to pay out (this is true for term life insurance or permanent life insurance, like a whole life policy). It is important to mention that most companies do NOT offer this feature.

Some insurance carriers will also extend this type of coverage to non-US citizens. We find the combination of term insurance death protection and the option to accelerate or use your life insurance while still alive to be a powerful financial tool.

The best part?

In many cases, the living benefits of a life insurance policy are offered at no additional cost to you!!

How does it work?

The carrier will allow you to utilize living benefits (also known as accelerated benefit riders) if you are diagnosed with a qualifying medical condition. The conditions are typically grouped into three categories:

• Critical illness: this includes invasive cancer, heart attack, stroke, organ transplant, etc. This rider ensures you receive a lump-sum payment upon diagnosis of these critical illnesses, providing vital support for you and your family during difficult times.
• Chronic illness: coverage will apply if the insured can’t perform 2 out of the 6 activities of daily living (ADLs): bathing, dressing, eating, transferring, toileting, and continence.
• Terminal illness: if the insured is diagnosed with a terminal illness that is expected to result in death within the next 12 or 24 months, depending on the carrier or the state

We have created several videos outlining exactly how living benefits work and have answered many questions on the topic of whether living benefits in life insurance are worth it.

If you want us to provide you with more information or review your eligibility based on your visa type, request an insurance quote below.

When working with clients, many were surprised to learn that life insurance with living benefits for visa holders is possible. This is just one of the misconceptions that non US citizens may have about life insurance.

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What kinds of visas are eligible for life insurance with living benefits?

It is time to turn our attention to the types of visas eligible to purchase life insurance with living benefits. 

It is important to point out that not every carrier will offer life insurance with living benefits, and the ones that do may have additional restrictions based on the visa status. This limits the number of available life insurance providers. 

Please note that if you are a green card holder, you could have the same status as a US citizen and may be eligible for life insurance.

You will be able to qualify for life insurance if you hold any of the following valid visa types:

• F-1: Student visa
• H1B: Specialty workers
• H4: Spouse and children
• K1/K3: Fiancée/fiancé or Spouse of U.S. citizen
• L1: Intracompany transferee
• L2: Spouse or child of L1
• O1: Temporary worker with extraordinary ability
• O3: Spouse or child of O1, O2
• P1: Internationally Recognized Athlete or Member of Internationally Recognized Entertainment Group
  (Subject to our Professional Athlete/Celebrity Guidelines)
• P2: Artist or Entertainer in a Reciprocal Exchange Program
• P3: Artist or Entertainer in a Culturally Unique Program
• P4: Spouse or Child of P1, P2, or P3
• TN: CA and MEX professional workers through the North American Free Trade Agreement
• TD: Spouse or child of TN
• Temporary green card (less than 10 years)

Please note that this list is not exclusive, and additional visa types could be considered for insurance in the United States. We were able to contract with a carrier that is more “global citizen-friendly,” and they do offer strong living benefits. 

This would be a good time to mention that if you are an undocumented immigrant or do not have a Social Security number, you could still be eligible to purchase life insurance in the U.S. The key is to work with an insurance agent specializing in life insurance for non-US citizens. 

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Which insurance providers offer life insurance coverage with living benefits to visa holders?

It is time to turn our attention to the companies that offer life insurance that you can use while still alive.

Corebridge Financial (formally AIG)

Corebridge Financial offers two major insurance plans when it comes to term life insurance.

• Select A Term – the plan does NOT offer living benefits
• Quality of Life – living benefits ARE included in the plan.

In this article, we will focus on the Quality of Life insurance plans and list the pros and cons.

Pros:

• The company is A+ rated for financial strength and has a long history in the insurance market.
• The company has offices all over the world, which provides visa holders with additional peace of mind.
• Offers some of the leading living benefits on the market today
• Lower pricing compared to other carriers offers life insurance with living benefits.
• Offer term life insurance as well as permanent insurance options.
• Clients can qualify for up to 35 years of term insurance.

Cons

• Will require a medical exam for visa holders (green card holders are eligible for no medical exam process).
• The application process can take 4–8 weeks.
• They are more restrictive on the types of approved visas.
• There are longer requirements for residency in the US before immigrants can get life insurance.

Here is  a key point:

A claim for accelerating the death benefit can be filed while living in the US as well as abroad. This is often a key factor, as many visa holders are facing the possibility of moving out of the US. Please note, in either case,  the claim must be certified by a U.S. physician who meets the definition of physician under Section 1861(r)(1) of the Social Security Act.

National Life Group (Life of the Southwest)

NLG is a great choice when it comes to life insurance for immigrants. It will approve coverage even if the clients do not have an ITIN or SSN, as long as they meet the residency requirement and the insurance buying process is completed in the US. In addition, they are a great option for clients with F-1 visas, H1B visas, O-visas, etc.

Please note that eligibility for life insurance will be based on the client’s status, occupation, and overall financial needs. 

Pros:

• National Life Group is an A+-rated carrier with A.M. Best.
• You can get approved for life insurance with no medical exam.
• Have strong living benefits, including the ability to accelerate if diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and fertility benefits.
• Can offer US life insurance to visa holders only after 10 months of US residency.
• Offer term life insurance, whole life insurance, and universal life insurance products (designed for cash value growth).
• Average approval time: 1-3 weeks

Cons:

• The application will be completed face-to-face or via video call with a life insurance agent.
• Offers term coverage up to 30 years.
• The insurance costs are higher compared to Corebridge Financial.

American National Life Insurance

Pros:

• Offers strong living benefits
• A rated company
• Your application can be approved without a medical exam.

Cons:

• They only offer permanent life insurance options for new clients.
• This makes it more costly, compared to a term life insurance policy.

Transamerica

Pros:

• A rated life insurance company with a strong history
• Possibly no medical exam
• Very global citizen-friendly

Cons:

• Cost – they are often one of the highest insurance premium options.

Please note that this is a very brief overview of the available options. While the list includes some of the largest life insurance companies, it is not all-inclusive. When it comes to finding the best insurance for green card or valid visa holders, simply reach out to us. This insurance agency strives to provide you with the best life insurance options.

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Steps to get life insurance as a non-US citizen

Since we touched on the many benefits of Accelerated Benefit Riders and what life insurance companies offer this feature, it is time to turn our attention to the steps to buy this product.

The first thing is to answer the question, “Why?” In other words, why are you looking into life insurance? Have you decided who will be the beneficiary of your life insurance?

While these may seem irrelevant, they will help a good agent guide you throughout the process and ensure he or she matches you with the right insurance company.

After you are clear on your needs, it will be time to decide whether a term life policy or a permanent option will make more sense to you. We believe term life insurance with living benefits is a part of the best financial strategy for visa holders.  

When you know the type of plan you need and the coverage amount, the agent will shop and present you with several options. We will advise you of the processing times and the requirements. This is why working with our agency is beneficial. Here are a few examples of the different rules companies have for non-US citizens:

Underwriting visa holders:

• Banner will only offer coverage if you have been in the US for over 3 years.

• Lincoln can only offer a permanent life insurance plan to anyone who is not a US citizen or a green card holder.

• Protective will not insure international students, etc.

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Frequently Asked Questions When it Comes to Life Insurance with living benefits for visa holders

We have answered the most common questions, we have receieved in the past decade working with visa holders and foreign nationals.

The Key Takeaway

Visa holders and non-us citizens are eligible for life insurance with living benefits. The key is to apply with the right carrier. This additional protection is available on term and permanent life insurance plans.

We hope you find this helpful. Should you have any questions, or want us to review your options, do not hesitate to reach out!