Study: Sales of Asset-Based LTC Insurance Rise by 20%

By Warren S. Hersch

April 26, 2012 at 08:40 AM

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Sales of asset-based long-term care insurance increased by nearly 20% and the number of covered lives increased 13.5%, according to an annual study of new policy sales.

The American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance, Los Angeles, published this finding in a study based on data gathered from leading LTC providers. The complete findings will be published in the Association's 2012 Long-Term Care Insurance Sourcebook.

"We expect the sale of asset-based or linked LTC products will continue to grow as they offer some highly attractive benefits to a category of buyers looking to protect their retirement savings," says AALTCI Director Jesse Slome in a prepared statement. "The growth of sales will only continue as more large players enter the marketplace."

The study finds that more than half (53%) of male buyers of LTC policies were under age 65. In the prior year's study, only 48% were under age 65. The percentage of women buyers under age 65 also increased to 50% from 44% in the prior year. For 2011, the Association study found that the initial single premium face amount of policies purchased was $100,000 or greater for nearly three-quarters (73%) of new policies. In addition, nearly (96%) of new Life+LTC policies issued did not include a benefit increase option that bumped up available benefits to keep pace with inflationary growth of costs.

By comparison, the Association's study of traditional individual long-term care insurance policy sales found that in 2011 some 96% included a growth option.

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