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Catherine Theroux
Director, Public Relations
Work Phone: (860) 285-7787
Mobile Phone: (703) 447-3257
Brooke Lacey
Senior Public Relations Specialist
Work Phone: (860) 298-3920
Mobile Phone: (413) 530-6184
LIMRA Study: Life Combination Products Record Third Consecutive Year of Double-Digit Growth in 2011
5/21/2012
WINDSOR, Conn., May 21, 2012 — In 2011, life combination products grew 56 percent, representing the third consecutive year of double-digit growth, according to LIMRA’s 2011 Individual Life Combination Products Annual Review.
Total new premium for life combination products reached $2.2 billion in 2011, approximately 13 percent of total individual life insurance new premium. More than 72,000 combination policies were sold in 2011, which make up approximately 16 percent of all long-term care insurance policies and contracts sold in 2011.
“Sales of life combination products continue to grow at a remarkable rate, especially coming off the double-digit growth experienced in 2009 and 2010,” said Elaine Tumicki, corporate vice president and director LIMRA product research. “With so much uncertainty in the stand-alone long term care insurance (LTCI) market, consumers under 50 — looking for a way to cover a portion of long term care costs — are turning to acceleration combination products as an affordable alternative.”
All life combination product lines experienced growth in 2011, with universal life (UL) combination products becoming the dominant product (increasing 67 percent in premium compared to 2010). Whole life (WL) and variable combination premium grew 16 percent and 17 percent respectively.
Linked benefit products, which are mostly single premium and all-in-one packaged products, grew 66 percent in policy count, capturing 29 percent of the market in 2011 (an increase from the 21 percent market share held in 2010). Acceleration policies, which provide LTC benefits up to the amount of the life death benefit and are more commonly riders that can be attached to many of the products in a carrier’s life product portfolio, grew 29 percent, attaining 71 percent of market share (by policy count).
LIMRA’s study found that consumers under age 59 held more than half of in-force polices in 2011. Similar to long term care insurance, a greater number of life combination policies are insuring women — almost six in ten policies in force are providing coverage to women.
“Because of the dramatic growth of these products, we are adding a new track to the 2012 DI & LTC Insurer’s Forum, being held September, solely focused on combination products,” noted Tumicki.
LIMRA Contact:
Catherine Theroux, 860-285-7787, ctheroux@limra.com.
About LIMRA
LIMRA, a worldwide research, consulting and professional development organization, is the trusted source of industry knowledge, helping more than 850 insurance and financial services companies in 73 countries increase their marketing and distribution effectiveness. Visit LIMRA at www.limra.com.