Frequently Asked Questions About Collateral Assignment

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1. I am taking out a personal or business loan on my policy and need to attach a Collateral Assignment to my policy.  How do I go about doing this?

Our Company has a Collateral Assignment form available for use by its policyowners. Some banks and other lenders prefer to use their own collateral assignment forms.  We often accept other financial institutions’ forms; however, please allow some extra processing time as these forms often require a legal review.

Please note that Security Mutual Life requires an original copy with the ink signatures of the Collateral Assignment.  If you and/or the assignee wishes to have an original signed copy for your records as well, please submit multiple originals.

Please be aware that a Collateral Assignment establishes your policy as a collateral security between the Policyowner and the Assignee.  It gives the Assignee the right to collect the amount of the policyowner’s indebtedness from the proceeds of the policy at death or at maturity, or the cash surrender of the policy at any time.  Only the balance of the proceeds, if any, will pass to the beneficiaries under the policy. 

Once added, both the Policyowner and the Assignee will have to sign for any change to the policy that will decrease policy values or face amount.

Other Conditions of a Collateral Assignment are listed on the form itself.

2. I have paid off my personal or business loan and the Collateral Assignment attached to my policy should be removed.  What should I do?

If the original assignment was completed on an SML Collateral Assignment form, the assignee may complete the “Release of Collateral” section at the bottom of a copy of the original assignment.  Many bank forms have a similar release section.

If a copy of the original assignment is not available, please have the assignee complete the “Release of Collateral” section of a blank form. 
           
If the bank or lender to whom you have assigned your policy has closed or changed hands, the successor institution will need to release the assignment.  If you are unsure of your assignee’s successor, try the following FDIC website: http://www2.fdic.gov/idasp/main_bankfind.asp.

Be sure any person signing on behalf of a bank, lender, or other institution includes their title.  If possible, please submit a copy of institutional documentation including names and titles of officers/signatories.

Please call our Individual Client Service Department for additional assistance or questions.

 

 

For other Customer Service Requests please contact the home office 1-800-765-6668 or Contact Us.


 
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100 Court Street, PO Box 1625, Binghamton, New York 13902-1625 Phone: 1-800-346-7171
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