Client Advocacy

As a matter of design, life insurance represents the longest held asset for many policy owners (20, 40, 50 years or more). Therefore, it is imperative that proper support for our clients is in place for the duration of their plans. Because of this imperative, we have uniquely positioned ourselves to be long-term advocates on behalf of our clients.

BEJS has developed an assessment tool to help you not only with the selection of an insurance firm, but it will also assist in the selection of product and the provider of the product. Simply compare the results from the BEJS and M Financial columns with the results obtained from any other combination of insurance firm/provider.
(Click here for a printable version of the assessment tool.)

Assessment Tool - Selection of Insurance Firm

Question	BEJS	Other
What is the background and experience of the firm?	Founded in 1984 JD, CLU, ChFC, CFP®, MBA Member of AALU Over 100 years industry experience
What is the firm’s commitment to building and maintaining a dedicated service platform?	Systems & Staffing to Support Due diligence reports Case design Underwriting Case management Plan administration
Does the firm have specific departmental organizational structure?	Yes Fully-staffed, focused, experienced departments
What is the firm’s philosophy on working with each other in the clients’ interests?	Full Collaboration To ensure that no stone is left un-turned, BEJS emphasizes input from multiple partners and design team – including attendance at client/advisor meetings – on each case, if necessary.
What is the firm’s philosophy on working with other advisors?	Team Approach Enthusiastically works with other advisors on a path to integrate the best possible plan
Does the firm have a documented client confidentiality statement?	Yes We pledge to work with our clients’ attorneys, accountants, and other advisors to make sure that your confidentiality is maintained.
Does the firm have a documented succession plan?	Yes This plan is in effect in order to provide clients and advisors with a sense of continuity and long-term security.
Does the firm have access to M Financial products and Services?	Yes Please review the "Client Advocacy - Provider Level" questions to see the benefits M Financial offers.

Assessment Tool - Product Selection & Provider

Question	M Financial	Other
Is the distribution channel independent of, or captive to, the insurance company?	Independent
Is the volume of business sold by the distribution channel sufficient to build credible data and be relevant to the insurance company?	$1.5 billion in new '08 sales 30 years of data $128 billion inforce face amount
Is the client pricing experience socialized with all risks or is it placed in a select risk pool?	In segregated proprietary product pool - NOT socialized
Is the client a member of a risk class that justifies superior pricing characteristics?	Clients in risk class are exclusively high net worth and highly compensated executive clients of M Financial Member Firms.
Does the insurance company have a good reputation built on competitive products and superior track record?	M Carriers are highly rated 20+ proprietary products
Is there risk-sharing by the distributor/producer? Is the distribution channel putting capital at risk to legitimately “own a seat at the table” when it comes to negotiating price adjustments?	M Reinsurance $47 billion of face amount reinsured $50 million of new capital invested per year
What resources and technical support are dedicated to monitoring the policy on an ongoing basis? Whose resources/technical support – captive or independent?	Independent staff 12 actuaries Annually audited by independent consultants
How do you characterize the producer’s relationship with the insurance company? Captive Agent Independent Broker Producer Partner	Producer Partner
Does the client advocacy model have a track record?	9 re-pricings $57 million in historical value $150 million in future values
Is the client advocacy model sustainable?	Yes 30+ years of data 12+ years of proprietary product experience

Inforce Policy Management Assessment Tool (Printable Version)