For Defense Counsel

BRIDGE THE GAP BETWEEN CLAIMANTS’ EXPECTATIONS AND UNDERWRITERS’ BUDGETS

In all cases, leveraging the payout of structured settlements maximizes the value of every settlement dollar for all the parties. By using the time value of money, rated age pricing and flexible designs, structures can provide guaranteed, tax-free financial plans tailored to the needs of the claimants. Studies indicate that most adjusters believe that a claim is more likely to settle if a structure is introduced (see) (see).

DO THE RIGHT THING FOR THE INJURED INDIVIDUAL

Structured settlements are designed to address specific needs with a tailored, tax-free, income-driven financial plan. The annuities are secured by well-capitalized, highly-regulated life insurance institutions (see). Structures also afford protection from premature dissipation, loss of needs based entitlements, misuse, bad investments, market volatility, recessions and product risk (see).

DO THE RIGHT THING FOR YOUR CLIENT

For the casualty company, the structured settlement offers the prospect of more accurate reserve allocations and ultimately, the ability to move liabilities off the books. Structures can bridge the negotiation gap and push past issues that typically stall negotiations (see). Harnessing their tax benefits and funding flexibility provides more options for a fair and reasonable settlement outcome for all parties (see). It also provides evidence of good faith bargaining, a crucial legal standard in many states (see).

PROVIDE EVEN MORE BENEFITS TO THE INJURED INDIVIDUAL

Structures provide protection of needs-based entitlement programs. Since the payments are not assets, Medicaid, AFDC and SSI will likely be unaffected by the annuity. They also provide freedom from probate as well as creditors, including those arising from divorce and bankruptcy (see).

Be sure to review the Settlement Checklist for Defense Counsel

INCREASES THE SPEED AND EFFICIENCY OF THE STRUCTURED SETTLEMENT PROCESS

We provide SLA with your claims personnel, claims professionals checklists and advanced technology for 24/7 interactive, on-the-fly, customizable quote estimates. This means fast, efficient, strategic quoting for your claims professionals.

PROVIDES SIMPLE, GRAPHIC QUOTES TO CREATE CLARITY FOR THE CLAIMANT AND COUNSEL

Our Chronographs include graphs that show both the long-term value and the specific annual path of each financial plan. In addition, life companies and their ratings/profiles provide complete transparency and clarity. Your claims professionals have a complete financial profile at their fingertips.

FUELS TIME-SENSITIVE, REAL-TIME NEGOTIATIONS

Chronovo quotes are interactive on a real-time life company feed. We provide your claims professionals with instant information for decision-making. This enables your claims professionals to fold structures into a real-time negotiation process without waiting for a call or email from the broker.

ELIMINATES SMALL CASE “ORPHANS”

By removing time delay and friction from the process, Chronovo produces structures more efficiently and welcomes cases of all sizes.

Defense Counsel Settlement Checklist

Ask yourself:

Is there a gap between the claimant’s wishes for the amount of the settlement and the value of the claim? Have you thought about a structured settlement to bridge the gap?

Do the claimant/plaintiff and the claims professional understand that a structured settlement can be designed to become a college funding plan and/or a retirement plan, as well as circumvent any probate challenges? Have these benefits been presented to them both?

Have you and the claims professional compared the tax-exempt, cost-free performance of a structured settlement with the risk-based approach of a typical investment plan? Has it been presented to the claimant/plaintiff? Do you know that Chronovo can create real time comparisons for your claims professional in minutes?

If you know that the claimant/plaintiff relies on any needs-based benefits, have you explained that structured settlements do not impact those benefits?

Are there any challenges with creditors from bankruptcy, divorce, or other proceedings? If so, how will the settlement money be safeguarded from being claimed by others?

If there is a minor involved in the claim or dependent on income from the claim, do the claimant/plaintiff and counsel know that a structured settlement can ensure that the proceeds of the settlement are spent appropriately on medical care and that the cash will be scheduled and accessible for them?