Iowa State Guidelines

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Iowa Insurance Division
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Suite 100,
Des Moines, Iowa 50315

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TYPE OF LICENSE: LIFE SETTLEMENT (USES VIATICAL TERMINOLOGY)

WHAT DOES THE STATE DEFINE AS CONTESTABLE?: 2 YEARS

WHAT IS THE REQUIRED HOLDING PERIOD?: 5 YEARS. See: Iowa Code 508E.11(1).

WHEN DOES LICENSE NEED TO BE RENEWED?: N/A

IS BROKER COMPENSATION DISCLOSURE REQUIRED?: YES. See: Iowa Code 508E.8(3)(d).

IS THERE A MINIMUM PAYMENT REQUIREMENT?: YES . 191 IAC 48.4(508E).

48.4(4) In order to ensure that viators receive a reasonable return for viaticating an insurance policy when life expectancy is less than 25 months, a viatical settlement provider shall pay to a viator a discounted amount of the face value of the policy which amount shall be calculated at least at the following rates:
Minimum Percentage of Face Value Less Outstanding Loans – Insured’s Life Expectancy Received by Viator
Less than 6 months – 80%
At least 6 but less than 12 months – 70%
At least 12 but less than 18 months – 65%
At least 18 but less than 25 months – 60%
25 months or more – Cash surrender value of policy
The percentage may be reduced by 5% for viaticating a policy written by an insurer rated less than the highest four categories by A.M. Best, or a comparable rating by another rating agency.
For a viatical settlement in which the viator has a life expectancy of 25 months or more, a viatical settlement provider or broker shall not enter into a viatical settlement contract that provides a payment to the viator that is unreasonable or unjust. As listed above, such payment must at least be equal to the cash surrender value of the policy. In determining whether a payment is unreasonable or unjust, the commissioner may consider, among other factors, the life expectancy of the insured; the applicable rating of the insurance company that issued the subject policy by a rating service generally recognized by the insurance industry, regulators and consumer groups; and prevailing discount rates in the viatical and life settlement market in Iowa or, if insufficient data is available for Iowa, the prevailing rates nationally or in other states that maintain this data.

WHEN DOES THE MONEY NEED TO BE IN ESCROW?: Iowa Code 508E.10(4). The viatical settlement provider shall instruct the viator to send the executed documents required to effect the change in ownership, assignment, or change in beneficiary directly to the independent escrow agent. Within three business days after the date the escrow agent receives the document, or from the date the viatical settlement provider receives the documents, if the viator erroneously provides the documents directly to the viatical settlement provider, the viatical settlement provider shall pay or transfer the viatical settlement proceeds into an escrow or trust account maintained in a state or federally chartered financial institution whose deposits are insured by the federal deposit insurance corporation. Upon payment of the viatical settlement proceeds into the escrow account, the escrow agent shall deliver the original change in ownership, assignment, or change in beneficiary forms to the viatical settlement provider or related provider trust, or other designated representative of the viatical settlement provider. Upon the escrow agent’s receipt of the acknowledgment of the properly completed transfer of ownership, assignment, or designation of beneficiary from the insurance company, the escrow agent shall pay the viatical settlement proceeds to the viator.

IS THERE A NOTICE REQUIREMENT TO THE INSURED AFTER THE SALE?: YES. Iowa Code 508E.8(4). If the viatical settlement provider transfers ownership or changes the beneficiary of the insurance policy, the viatical settlement provider shall communicate in writing the change in ownership or beneficiary to the insured within twenty days after the change.

IS THERE A NOTICE REQUIREMENT TO THE CARRIER BEFORE/AFTER THE SALE?: YES. Iowa Code 508E.10(1)(b). Within twenty days after a viator executes documents necessary to transfer any rights under an insurance policy or within twenty days of entering any agreement, option, promise, or any other form of understanding, expressed or implied, to viaticate the policy, the viatical settlement provider shall give written notice to the insurer that issued that insurance policy that the policy has or will become a viaticated policy. The notice shall be accompanied by the documents required by paragraph “c”.

Iowa Code 508E.10(1)(c). The viatical provider shall deliver a copy of the medical release required under paragraph “a”, subparagraph (2), a copy of the viator’s application for the viatical settlement contract, the notice required under paragraph “b”, and a request for verification of coverage to the insurer that issued the life policy that is the subject of the viatical transaction. The national association of insurance commissioners form for verification of coverage shall be used unless another form is developed and approved by the commissioner.

WHAT IS THE RESCISSION PERIOD?: Iowa Code 508E.10(3). All viatical settlement contracts entered into in this state shall provide the viator with an absolute right to rescind the contract before the earlier of thirty days after the date upon which the viatical settlement contract is executed by all parties or fifteen days after the viatical settlement proceeds have been sent to the viator as provided in section 508E.10, subsection 4. Rescission by the viator may be conditioned upon the viator both giving notice and repaying to the viatical settlement provider within the rescission period all viatical settlement proceeds, and any premiums, loans, and loan interest paid by or on behalf of the viatical settlement provider in connection with or as a consequence of the viatical settlement. If the insured dies during the rescission period, the viatical settlement contract shall be deemed to have been rescinded, subject to repayment to the viatical settlement provider or purchaser of all viatical settlement proceeds, and any premiums, loans, and loan interest that have been paid by the viatical settlement provider or purchaser, which shall be paid within sixty days of the death of the insured. In the event of any rescission, if the viatical settlement provider has paid commissions or other compensation to a viatical settlement broker in connection with the rescinded transaction, the viatical settlement broker shall refund all such commissions and compensation to the viatical settlement provider within five business days following receipt of written demand from the viatical settlement provider, which demand shall be accompanied by either the viator’s notice of rescission if rescinded at the election of the viator, or a notice of the death of the insured if rescinded by reason of the death of the insured within the applicable rescission period.

IS THERE A VOC REQUIREMENT (OWN/STATE/NAIC FORM)?: YES – NAIC or OWN – Insurance commissioners form for verification of coverage shall be used unless another form is developed and approved by the commissioner. See: Iowa Code 508E.10(1)(c) and (d).