Accelerated underwriting for life insurance
WriteAway in California
The WriteAway program is a process for underwriting for your healthiest clients and available on all products available through SimpleSubmit.® We use information provided from an online application and publicly available data for the opportunity to eliminate a paramedical exam and labs using the same pricing as traditional underwriting with no additional policy fees.
Less Invasive — opportunity for no labs or exams
Simple online application process
Reduced not in good order (NIGO) applications
Faster Underwriting—and faster decisions
Full commissions + quicker processing = get paid faster
How it works
The application process for WriteAway is different than it is for traditional underwriting. Step‑by‑step, here’s how it works:
Step 1: Discussion
You will complete the application using North American's electronic application feature, SimpleSubmit.® If your client meets age and face amount criteria, you will seamlessly proceed to the part 2 medical application within SimpleSubmit.
- SimpleSubmit is the only method for qualifying for the WriteAway process. Paper applications will require traditional underwriting.
- When submitting via SimpleSubmit look for Next Steps for the WriteAway process if the client qualifies.
Step 3: Notification
No labs needed
You will be notified that the case is approved and we will proceed with the issue process.
Labs needed
You will be notified and the case will automatically proceed through the traditional underwriting process. If additional requirements are needed, the administrative office will schedule an appointment to have the client’s blood pressure, physical measurements, pulse, and labs taken.
Once a decision is made, notification will be made through your Pending Business report.
Preparing the client
Before beginning the application, have your client gather the following details of their lifestyle and medical history.
- Advise the client that they may be eligible for this program, which will not require labs or a paramedical exam, but they will be contacted by a paramedical company if it’s determined they are needed.
- Your client will need to have the following information available to complete the part 2 medical history application:
- Details of any past or current illnesses, injuries or conditions
- Details of past and current use of tobacco
- Details of parents’ and siblings’ medical history
- Any prescriptions they are currently using or have used in the past two years
- Name, address, and phone number of current licensed medical professional and all other physicians seen in the past five years
- To complete the electronic signature process, your client will need to provide a form of identification and go through an SMS text verification.
- Please see below for critical information needed to determine eligibility on commonly seen impairments.
Who is eligible?
North American will use information from the application, MIB data, prescription reports, and a variety of publicly available data to make the underwriting decision. The publicly available data includes financial and credit information (not credit scores), court records, property records, and a motor vehicle report. This data will be used to determine if your client is eligible for the opportunity to eliminate a paramedical exam and labs.
The databases used are Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) compliant and all information received from them is disclosable to the proposed insured. The insured may work directly with those companies to resolve any question they may have about their records.
| Issue ages | Ages 18 – 60 |
| Face amount | Up to and including $2,000,000 for ages 18-50 or $500,000 for ages 51-60, placed in force or applied for in the past two years. |
| Build | Within the recommended guidelines. WriteAway uses the same build chart as traditional underwriting. |
| Products available | WriteAway is available on all of North American's products. |
| No major medical and non-medical impairments | See the impairment charts below for eligibility |
| Underwriting classes | Standard (Tobacco and Non-Tobacco users), Preferred (Tobacco and Non-Tobacco users), and Super Preferred. Flat extras may be allowed for avocations and aviation only. |
| Internal replacements | Internal replacement or exchanges are not eligible through this process. |
| Additional or companion policies | Additional and/or companion policies are allowed if total line is within face amount guidelines. |
How is it determined who is eligible?
Clients without major medical conditions, who meet certain height/weight requirements, and are classified as low risk, have the potential to qualify for WriteAway. Clients that meet the age and face amount criteria will have the opportunity to complete the part 2 medical application within the SimpleSubmit® application. Once the application is completed, the underwriting team will review and determine eligibility. Please refer below for common conditions that are not eligible for WriteAway.
How will I know if my client is required to submit labs?
You will be notified through the Pending Business report available from northamericancompany.com if your client is required to submit labs. The abbreviated paramed and/or lab work will be handled and ordered by the North American underwriting team.
Impairment chart
The following impairments are not eligible for WriteAway. For questions pertaining to a specific impairment not listed, please contact your North American underwriting team.
| AIDS or HIV positive | Heart disease including any heart surgery, heart attack, or angina |
| Alcohol or drug abuse and/or treatment | Hepatitis B or C |
| Aneurysm | Anxiety/Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) – any history of hospitalization; diagnosed within the past 6 months |
| Asthma — moderate to severe; current smoker; or any history of hospitalization | Kidney disease |
| Atrial fibrillation | Overweight or Underweight Build |
| Cancer — any cancer except for basal cell and squamous cell skin cancer | Rheumatoid arthritis |
| Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), chronic bronchitis, or emphysema | Seizure disorder
|
| Crohn’s Disease | Sleep apnea — diagnosed within the past 6 months; not well controlled |
| Depression — moderate to severe; any history of hospitalization; or diagnosed within the past 12 months | Stroke or Mini-stroke (TIA) |
| Diabetes | Ulcerative colitis |
| Emotional disorder — bipolar disorder; schizophrenia; any past suicide attempt | Weight loss surgery in the past five years |
Non-medical impairments
| Life insurance that was declined, postponed, or charged an extra premium in the past 5 years | DUI or reckless driving in the past 5 years |
| Visa holder (temporary or permanent)* | Felony charges in the past 10 years |
*Select Visa Holders may be eligible based on individual consideration. Please contact Underwriting to determine your client's potential eligibility.
Build criteria
Applicants outside the minimum and maximum standard build criteria listed in the traditional underwriting guide are not eligible for WriteAway underwriting.
Commonly seen eligible impairments
Eligibility will be based on individual consideration for the following medical conditions to be approved on an accelerated basis. The following details will ensure the underwriting team has the information needed to determine eligibility.
High blood pressure and high cholesterol
|
Sleep Apnea
|
Depression and anxiety
|
Hypothyroid
|
Asthma
|
Contact us to learn more!
Contact your MGA with questions!
North American Sales Support
Phone: 800-800-3656 ext. 10411
Email: salessupport@nacolah.com
Sammons FinancialSM is the marketing name for Sammons® Financial Group, Inc.’s member companies, including North American Company for Life and Health Insurance® . Annuities and life insurance are issued by, and product guarantees are solely the responsibility of, North American Company for Life and Health Insurance.
FOR AGENT USE ONLY. NOT TO BE USED FOR CONSUMER SOLICITATION PURPOSES.
643NW-9aCA
FOR AGENT USE ONLY. NOT TO BE USED FOR CONSUMER SOLICITATION PURPOSES.
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