I hope this Memorial Day, you will take some time to remember those have served our country. I hope this Memorial Day you will take just a moment to recall that many Americans sacrificed and paid the ultimate price for freedom and freedom's calling.

I am a former Marine; serving in the United States Marine Corps at Camp Pendleton, California. I worked for the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate. I didn't go to war. I didin't serve in a dangerous situation. But I did learn to respect and appreciate those had been Marines before me or after. In the Marine Corps, there is a term for just that ... many of you might know it, "Semper Fidelis".

So, I'd like to take a moment right now ... "Thank you to all the men and women who have served this greatest of countries. Freedom has been preserved through your sacrifice. You are never forgotten".

As AccuQuote case managers, one of the things we do most often -- besides keep our clients up-to-date on the progress of their applications -- is to ensure that information the underwriter needs to issue a policy is asked. The majority of our applicants know this; likely expect it. Every once in awhile, though, there is an applicant for life insurance who isn't as cooperative or willing to provide answers.

The first thing to understand about life insurance is that it is a contract. A contract between the insurance carrier and the applicant. The applicant promises to provide truthful information and answers. The insurance carrier promises to present a policy and pay benefits in the event of death. When you write your signature to accept a policy, you accept a contract.

Material misrepresentation is information that the applicant knowingly submits to the life insurance company to be untruthful; false. If fully and truthfully disclosed would have resulted in refusal by the insurance carrier to issue a life insurance policy under the terms and conditions issued.

The most common misrepresentations are age; income; tobacco, alchol, or drug use; leisure activities that are high in risk; and health history. Either of these can have serious consequences. It can void your policy and benefits.

Failing to disclose health risks truthfully during the application stage is the most likely reason for the insurance carrier to deny benefits when an insured dies. For instance, if you fail to admit that you have a history of heart disease. In the circumstance that the insurance company investigates your death claim and finds-out otherwise, your claim may be denied and your policy voided. In fact, undisclosed health problems not directly associated with each other (i.e., heart disease history, but death from cancer) may be grounds for denying a policy benefit.

Courts have upheld "material misrepresentation" for insurance carriers. Policy owners have argued that the information submitted with the application were the fault of the agent; however, courts have dismissed the accusation countering that 'endorsement of the information ... the applicant's signature' on the insurance policy.

Typically, insurance carriers are more likely to investigate death claims within two years of the policy being issued. Of course, there can be extraordinary circumstances.

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Like so many of life's good things, finding and getting quality life insurance means a person has to be involved. Or at least let's say, it doesn't hurt. Life insurance is a product not much different than many other products we buy. As such, you want to get the best product for your money. Certainly if you are serious about paying for life insurance for the next 10, 20, or 30 years.

If you went into an electronics store to buy a new HD TV, would you accept the one the store owner wanted to give you? Or would you want the TV you felt best suited your needs? That's not to say that the store owner can't be credited with giving you good advice or selling you a quality TV. It's just that you wanted something just a little bit better.

As a case manager, I've seen that happen with insurance. Recently, an involved, persistent, energetic, and patient client decided that he was "worth" the insurance he had applied for. He had applied for insurance and been approved at a rate class just below his application. The reason for the approval rating was valid and legitimately decided.

Now many clients would have accepted the approval rating as is. And there's nothing wrong in that logic. Part of the life insurance approval process and guidelines mean that not every application will reach an approval decision as applied for. That's why there is an application process and an underwriting process: to reach a decision on the level of insurance and risk factor.

Back to my energetic, involved, and patient client. He decided that he could do better. His decision factor had been close anyhow. Remember, I told you he had only missed his application approval by one or two risk rates. In discussion with the insurance carrier, AccuQuote sales person, and myself , the applicant pursued a better approval rating.

His application was post-poned and waited for newer information to be provided for the underwriter to review.

I had the easy part, just keeping the lines of communication open between the applicant and the insurance carrier. I was only too happy to call him and tell him the good news a couple of weeks later. I congratulated him on his 'hard work, efforts, and ... especially ... his patience and persistence'.

As a result of this client's commitment and involvement, he was approved at a preferred rate!

You know what else, he was still kind enough to say ... 'thank you'.

So, get involved in your application. When you're approved, ask yourself -- or better ask your agent -- if you might be able to get a better rate with a higher face amount value.

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Getting life insurance for your family is a commitment. Life insurance coverage ensures your family with a safety net that can be counted-on to let them continue with a qualify of life they have come to expect. Raising a family and protecting their interests requires team work.

I talk to people everyday in every state of our great country. All of them have the same goal: affordable, quality life insurance.

The employees of AccuQuote understand how important this is to our customers.

From the account executives who provide the vital information about insurance plans and costs to the administrators and courtesy team who process the incoming applications and phone calls, team work extends to every department. From the case managers who are working with applicants and insurance carriers to the managers and supervisors providing guidance and experience, team work ... in a matter of speaking ... reigns supreme!

Applying for life insurance -- and most importantly getting application approval -- is not an "overnight" process. Submitting an application, underwriting review, and follow-up work with customers and insurance carriers requires a "hands-on" effort. Making sure medical records, application forms, and insurance regulations are satisfied demands experience and quick access to information.

Everyday, case managers are updating customers with the latest and most current information about their applications. We are calling our insurance carriers; expediting information and applications. All of this results in a level of service we don't take for granted.

Our first-class technology gives us the vital information we need to move applications from submission to approval. Our experienced co-workers support each other where questions arise or assistance is needed. AccuQuote's relationship and reputation with some of the best insurance companies available is far-reaching and a source of pride!

AccuQuote is successful because of team work and quality. Each year we have been more successful than the last. Each year busier than the one before. Yet, one thing never changes: our commitment to quality, customer service, and efficiency.

The case management team doesn't forget that!