Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use these products in my client's financial plan without being licensed with Ameritas?
A: Yes. Ameritas Advisor Services has a long history of assisting fee-only and fee-based advisors in placing insurance for their clients. The policy is considered to be solicited directly from Ameritas Life Insurance Corp. (Ameritas) In the case of a variable product sale, Ameritas Investment Corp. is the broker/dealer of record. Keep in mind that your state may require you to hold a particular license in order to charge a fee for insurance advice. If you are licensed as an insurance agent, or if you are a registered representative of a broker/dealer, you can become appointed with Ameritas to facilitate the insurance placement. Regardless of the structure of your financial planning practice, we can coordinate a working relationship with you to fit your needs and those of your client.
Q: How is the Ameritas No-Load Series of insurance products different?
A: In 1983, Ameritas created a major breakthrough in life insurance product design by removing the major sales commission and home office expenses, which resulted in lower expense charges and no surrender charges.
Q: How do I work with Ameritas Advisor Services?
A: We are just a phone call away. We can provide you with marketing materials, product information and answer any questions you may have, from the simple to the complex. We can provide illustration software to enable you to run your own proposals. Or we can run them for you and send them to you by fax or e-mail. The Ameritas team includes professionals who have a finger on the pulse of the industry. We can help you confidently keep abreast of the constantly changing tax climate, and keep you informed of how the latest rulings may affect your strategy and your client's choices. We can provide you with applications or, at your request, facilitate the application process directly with your client. We can coordinate all of the medical requirements, and a dedicated Ameritas team member will closely follow each case. Our day-to-day monitoring relieves you of the burden of follow-up, paperwork and other administrative activities.
Q: Will I have access to my client's information?
A: Yes. With proper authorization from your client, you can receive copies of client correspondence and statements in addition to having access to policy value and benefit information online or through our voice response system.
Q: Will Ameritas contact my client?
A: One of the major benefits of working with Ameritas Advisor Services is that you remain in complete control of the client relationship. Our goal is to help you grow your practice and enhance your client's financial plan through the addition of low-expense insurance and annuities. However, if you prefer, you do have the flexibility to refer your clients directly to Ameritas. Our salaried professionals are insurance and securities-licensed and are fully prepared to assist your client if you’d rather not be involved in the insurance purchase. The important point is you remain in control of the client relationship no matter how you choose to access our services.
Q: What marketing support do you provide?
A: Ameritas has created material to introduce the topic of no load insurance and annuities to your customers. All pieces are specifically designed for the non-insurance licensed RIA: FINRA reviewed ready-made ads you can run in your own local paper or magazine; and FINRA reviewed mailers that can be customized with your own company name, logo and contact information.