Application Assistance
Life Insurance Application Assistance That Removes the Paperwork From Your Plate
You did not build your practice to fill out insurance applications. BUI's two-tier application assistance program is designed to handle the completion work for you, so you can spend more time on client relationships and less time on paperwork.
Schedule a ConsultationThe Short Version
What Is Life Insurance Application Assistance?
Life insurance application assistance from BUI is a two-tier service designed to help financial advisors and insurance agents complete and submit life insurance applications without handling the paperwork themselves. For term insurance, BUI's technology platform allows advisors to quote, compare carriers, and submit a case in approximately five minutes. For permanent life insurance and hybrid long-term care products, BUI specialists contact clients directly, collect signatures, and complete the application on the advisor's behalf. This service is administrative in nature and is not a sales or marketing function.
The Problem
The Application Bottleneck Every Advisor Knows
Ask any financial advisor or insurance agent what they enjoy least about their work, and application completion is near the top of the list. The process is repetitive, detail-heavy, and prone to delays. A single missing signature or incorrect field can send a case back to square one.
For advisors who partner with a brokerage general agent (BGA), the expectation is that the BGA helps place business. Yet most BGAs stop at carrier access and underwriting support. Application completion is left entirely to the advisor. BUI recognized this gap and built a solution that no other BGA in the market currently matches.
The Solution
BUI's Two-Tier Approach to Application Assistance
Rather than offering a single one-size-fits-all service, BUI tailors its application assistance to the type of coverage being placed. Term insurance and permanent life insurance have different workflows, different carrier requirements, and different levels of complexity. BUI's program reflects that reality.
Tier 1: Term Insurance Technology
Quote, compare carriers, and submit a term case through BUI's technology platform in approximately five minutes. The process is the same regardless of carrier, death benefit, or ownership structure. Advisors do not complete a full application.
Tier 2: Application Fulfillment Service
For permanent life insurance and hybrid LTC products, BUI specialists contact your clients directly, collect required signatures, and complete the application on your behalf. Available for advisors who meet minimum production qualifications.
Tier 1
Term Insurance Technology: Quote, Compare, Submit
For term life insurance cases, BUI provides a technology platform that streamlines the entire submission process. Advisors can run a quote, compare carrier rates side by side, and submit the case directly through the platform in approximately five minutes, depending on case complexity.
The workflow remains the same regardless of which carrier is selected, the death benefit amount, or the ownership structure. This consistency is designed to reduce the learning curve that typically comes with navigating multiple carrier portals and application formats.
Advisors do not need to complete a full application. The platform is designed to handle the form completion work, which may help reduce the time and friction associated with term life submissions. Carriers that participate in accelerated underwriting programs may offer additional speed advantages, though eligibility depends on the client's health profile and the carrier's underwriting criteria.
How the Term Platform Works
Quote Multiple Carriers
Enter basic client information and receive side-by-side quotes from multiple carriers.
Compare Rates and Features
Review pricing, term lengths, and carrier ratings in a single view.
Submit the Case
Send the application directly to the carrier through the platform. No full application completion required from the advisor.
What the Fulfillment Service Includes
Advisor Presents the Recommendation
You present the insurance recommendation to your client. Joint presentation assistance is available from BUI if needed.
Client Confirms the Plan
The client confirms the product and design for which they wish to apply for coverage.
Phone Interview Scheduled
A BUI application fulfillment specialist schedules a phone interview with the involved parties to complete the required paperwork.
BUI Submits to the Carrier
BUI obtains signatures and forms and formally submits the application to the carrier.
Weekly Status Updates
Your dedicated New Business Consultant provides weekly status updates until placement.
Tier 2
Application Fulfillment for Permanent and LTC Cases
Permanent life insurance, hybrid life insurance with long-term care riders, and standalone LTC products typically require more detailed applications than term insurance. Carrier forms vary, medical questions are more extensive, and signature requirements can be complex.
BUI's application fulfillment service is designed to handle this workload. After the advisor confirms the product and design for which the client wishes to apply, a BUI application fulfillment specialist reaches out to schedule a phone interview with the involved parties to complete the required paperwork. BUI obtains signatures and forms, formally submits the application to the carrier, and a dedicated New Business Consultant provides weekly status updates until placement. The advisor remains the Agent of Record and retains full control of the client relationship.
This service is available to advisors who meet minimum production qualifications. BUI reserves the right to decline specific applications due to capacity constraints. The service is administrative in nature and does not include sales or marketing functions.
The Process
How the Application Assistance Process Works
Whether you are using the term technology platform or the fulfillment service for permanent and LTC cases, the process follows a clear sequence. All advisors who are commissioned on a transaction must sign the application assistance agreement before BUI can begin handling applications.
Present Your Recommendation
You present the insurance recommendation to your client and obtain their commitment to participate in the application process. Joint presentation assistance is available from BUI if needed.
Submit the Request to BUI
For term cases, use the technology platform to quote, compare, and submit directly. For permanent and LTC cases, complete BUI's Application Assistance form and schedule a call with a BUI application specialist using the provided scheduling link.
BUI Handles Application Completion
For fulfillment cases, after the advisor confirms the product and design for which the client wishes to apply, a BUI application fulfillment specialist schedules a phone interview with the involved parties to complete the required paperwork. BUI obtains signatures and forms and formally submits the application to the carrier. Your dedicated New Business Consultant then provides weekly status updates until placement.
You Remain Agent of Record
You retain all agent of record duties, including providing status updates, handling policy delivery, and managing post-sale service. BUI's role is limited to application completion and submission.
Scope
What Is Covered and What Is Not
BUI's application assistance is designed to cover the most common life insurance and hybrid LTC transactions that advisors place. Some product types and transaction structures fall outside the service scope.
Covered
Not Covered
BUI reserves the right to decline any specific application due to capacity constraints or if there is reason to believe inaccurate or fraudulent information is being provided.
Compensation
How Application Assistance Compensation Works
For the application fulfillment service (permanent life and LTC cases), BUI's compensation is structured as a percentage of commission that varies based on the target premium amount. Larger cases carry no charge for the fulfillment service.
| Target Premium Range | Fee for Service |
|---|---|
| Up to $1,500 | 10% of commission |
| $1,501 to $4,999 | 7.5% of commission |
| $5,000 and above | No charge |
Non-Placed Application Policy
Up to two applications per year that do not lead to paid business carry no charge. For each application beyond two that fails to lead to paid business, a $250 administrative fee applies, regardless of premium amount or reason for non-placement.
Your Role
Advisor Responsibilities in the Process
BUI's application assistance is designed to remove the paperwork burden, but the advisor remains central to the transaction. Certain responsibilities stay with you at all times.
If you work with clients who have complex health histories, BUI's team, including Chief Underwriter Chris Hooper, CLU, FALU, FLMI, can provide impaired risk underwriting guidance before the application process begins. Brian Seigel, J.D., AEP®, Director of Advanced Planning, is also available to assist with ownership and beneficiary structuring questions on complex cases.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this a unique service offering from BUI?
Application fulfillment is not typically provided in the usual BGA service model. It is one of many resources that differentiates BUI from other BGAs and is representative of the boutique service model. For term insurance, the technology platform handles submission without a full application. For permanent life and LTC products, BUI specialists contact your clients, collect signatures, and complete the application on your behalf. This is an administrative service and does not include sales or marketing functions.
How does life insurance application fulfillment work?
After you submit BUI's Application Assistance form and schedule a call with a BUI specialist, BUI contacts your client by phone and email to collect signatures and complete the application. Up to three contact attempts are made within five business days. If the client does not respond, the completed application is returned to you via email. All product and sale-related questions are directed back to you as the advisor.
What is the fastest way to submit a term life insurance application?
BUI's term technology platform is designed to let advisors quote, compare carriers, and submit a case in approximately five minutes. The process is the same regardless of carrier, death benefit amount, or ownership structure. Advisors do not need to complete a full application. Speed may vary depending on case complexity and carrier requirements.
Does BUI charge for application assistance?
For the term technology platform, standard BGA commission splits apply. For the fulfillment service on permanent and LTC cases, BUI's fee for service is a percentage of commission based on target premium: 10% for premiums up to $1,500, 7.5% for premiums from $1,501 to $4,999, and no charge for applications exceeding $4,999 in target premium. Up to two non-placed applications per year carry no charge. Each additional non-placed application incurs a $250 administrative fee.
What types of insurance does BUI's application assistance cover?
The service covers term life insurance, permanent life insurance, and hybrid life insurance policies with long-term care riders. Annuities are excluded. Drop-ticket term transactions below carrier-specified death benefit thresholds are also excluded from the fulfillment service, though the term technology platform may still be used for quoting and comparison.
Do I need to maintain my state licenses?
Yes. You must be licensed in all states involved in the transaction and must be able to be contracted and appointed in the applicable state by the insurance carrier. Maintaining active state insurance licensure and fulfilling carrier contracting and appointment requirements is a condition of using BUI's application assistance service.
Stop Dreading the Application Step
Let BUI handle the paperwork so you can focus on what you do best: advising clients and growing your practice. Talk to our team about how the application assistance program works and whether you qualify for the fulfillment service.