Mike Horbal Bio

Life Insurance Underwriting Expertise

Independent insurance agents do not work directly with the life insurer.

They work through a brokerage general agent (BGA) who negotiates underwriting offers with insurance companies.

I started my career working for a BGA, negotiating underwriting offers on thousands of life insurance policies.

I have learned which companies are best based on the health issues involved.

Things that set me apart from my competition include:

• Training – I continuously update my knowledge of underwriting issues.
• I negotiate underwriting offers directly and know how to present a case to achieve the best possible outcome.
• Health Conditions – I’ve taken the time to learn about countless health conditions from an underwriting standpoint.
• Underwriting Knowledge – I have acquired reinsurance manuals used by insurance companies.  I maintain the underwriting guidelines of each company I work with.
• Continuing Education – I take continuing education courses on a regular basis, with much of that focus on underwriting.
• Articles – I’ve been featured in a number of articles by industry publications over the years.
• Website Content – I wrote every page and article on this website based on years of experience.
• Underwriting Connections – I work with many underwriters at home offices where I spent years developing professional relationships.

Underwriting Expertise by Niche

• High-Risk Health Issues
• Aviation – Private pilots, Fixed Wing, Helicopter, Agricultural, Emergency Services, Experimental Aircraft, Acrobatic, and Aviation Exclusions.
• Scuba Diving – Recreational, Diving Instructors, Technical Divers, Commercial and Salvage Divers
• Mountain Climbing – Trail, Mountain, Rock Climbing, Ice Climbing, Elevations to 25,000 feet.
• Racing – NASCAR Truck and Sprint Series Racers.
• Professional Athletes – NBA players to cover professional contracts.
• High Net Worth – Life Insurance Involving Reinsurance Underwriting
• Estate Planning Cases – Survivorship policies, Premium Financed Life Insurance, Life Settlements.
• Business Cases – Executives, buy-sell, deferred comp, key person coverage, SBA Loan Collateral.

Education

University of New Haven – Bachelor’s of Science – Accounting

Life and Health Insurance Licensed in 40+ States

Life Industry Involvement – I’ve been involved in many aspects of the life insurance business throughout my career, including:

NAILBA – National Association of Life Brokerage Agencies Technology Committee.

Life Insurance Company Producer Panel for a major life insurer.

IPipeline – User Research Group for iGo application product, term quote engine, life insurance technology.

Continuing Education

I’m required by my home state (Pennsylvania) to continue my education (CE).

I’m in compliance with all states that I am licensed in.

I have completed CE courses in:

• Interpreting Medical Reports
• A Roadmap for the Underwriting Highway
• Impaired Risk for Agents
• Underwriting Requirements and Long Term Care
• Business Insurance Concepts
• Estate Planning Techniques for Small Business Owners
• Life Insurance Strategies for Small Business
• Business Valuation
• Business Continuation and Consideration – Prudential
• Split Dollar Life Insurance – Lincoln National
• Hot Funding Ideas using Split Dollar – Prudential
• Life and Health Insurance Law
• Living Trusts and Avoiding Probate
• Financial Planning
• Fiduciary Responsibility in a Life Settlement Transaction
• Individual Retirement Accounts
• Health Insurance Financial Planning
• Medicare and Medicare Supplements

I have a proven track record and relentless approach to helping people find the life insurance they need, no matter what the situation is.  

There’s no pressure or obligation with my service.  

I’ll share the information you need in order to make an informed decision about life insurance, and my goal is to earn your business.