3 years ago
I was recently tasked with arranging my husband's ...
I was recently tasked with arranging my husband's new insurance needs after taking the leap to self employment. As a probate banker I'm also the family financial planner with an insider's perspective, dealing with financial institutions of every kind in my 22 year career. In that time I've witnessed everything from previously stable families facing homelessness after a sudden death and denied claim, to the regular exploitation of the most obscure loopholes, to being humbled into speechlessness by compassionate, selfless service to a grieving family of strangers through my work. It's also from this experience I choose Asurea as my family's life insurance provider.
Processing probate claims for two decades I can tell you which companies rely on the loopholes to almost never pay out, to the ones that begrudgingly will, only after exhausting every tactic to avoid it. I even know the precious few who treat you fairly - and this is the most important factor for me - during what, without fail, is always the most tragic, emotionally and mentally difficult time of unexpected and very deep loss anyone could face. Thanks to this experience my choice wasn't based on premiums or available coverage, in the end I chose Asurea after asking how I want my family treated should they need to claim the policy after my own sudden passing.
I understand that things like cost and eligibility effecting coverage are of course important to consider. But most life insurance shoppers will barely think - let alone ask - about the claims process, because naturally, like all living creatures, we assume despite the policy we will go on to live long, healthy lives. Most regard it as a worry-soothing back up plan at best, a completely unnecessary waste of money at worst. However after dealing with the thousands of dazed, emotionally fragile widows, blindly navigating the complex process of probate matters, on top of trying to comfort the kids, save the family home, and plan (then pay for) a funeral while they grieve alone, has been sobering enough to engrave in me these unexpected tragedies happen to everyone, and all the time, and as such, claim processing should be prioritized with all the other factors like price and level of service when choosing a provider.
There were a few shining examples of light in the darkness of the probate department where I can recall a simple and straight forward claim, easily processed then quickly paid. Only once in ten years I've seen an agent send condolence flowers and a note saying everything was handled, take whatever time you need; call us when you're ready to pick up the check. A singular case remembered for the agent's professionalism and empathy as much as the policy's straightforward processing and speedy, trouble-free payout, and a very rare occurrence I assure you.
Since you're here, it must come as no surprise the company that sent the flowers was none other than Asurea. A response so unexpected and rare, that I was sure to remember the name after hearing about their unusual behavior, and of course, the first company I thought of when allowed the freedom of choosing a policy of my own. I'm sure if everyone knew what I know, Asurea would not only be an industry giant, but the gold standard among them. I want to shield every family from the despair I routinely encounter, because the examples here are both sadly true, and tragically rampant, but not the only option. So I leave my reasoning and insider's recommendation for better treatment here. If saving your family from this added but ultimately avoidable potential heartache is as important to you as it is to me, I close by urging you to consider you own precious family, and counsel you to wisely consider Asurea as your next provider too.