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Life Insurance AppraisalsLife Insurance Appraisals

No longer need your policy? Consider donating it to charity; but first find the right person to value it correctly

Alan Breus

April 1, 2011

12 Min Read
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Many older clients have little use for their life insurance policies, yet they never consider donating them to charity. In fact, more than 75 percent of all life insurance policies no longer meet their owners' original needs, and policy owners let them lapse or cash them in prior to death. Maybe it's time to get creative and think outside the box. Sort of like someone who designs a new and different use for an old auto engine: Its mission may be obsolete, but its efficiency is without fault. Indeed, that old auto engine (aka the life insurance policy) can be viable as a tangible gift and have enormous impact on a donor's current income and his estate.

Older clients who donate life insurance policies to charity can reap great rewards throu...

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About the Author

Alan Breus

Alan’s background includes a bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts from The New School, New York City, studies in Appraisal and Analysis at New York University and advanced studies in Life Underwriting and Estate and Financial Planning. Alan’s membership in the Appraiser’s Association of America requires he sustain an expertise in: Legal and Ethical Aspects of Appraising, IRS Legal Guidelines in Valuation, Research methodology in Appraisal and complete familiarity with The Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP). His professional experience includes the appraisal of, documentary film, rare books and documents,  fine art, life insurance policies and collectibles for universities, hospitals, various non-profits  and estate planning and private accounting professionals. Alan is a sought after speaker and has been a sponsor at many national and regional planned giving conferences.

Alan’s speaking engagements include: The upcoming 2012  Partnership for Philanthropic Planning, The Chesapeake Bay Planned Giving Council, The Greater Bay Area Planned Giving Council, The San Joaquin Planned Giving Council, The Valley Public TV Estate Planning Forum, The Northwestern University Planned Giving Seminar, April, 2010, DePaul University Planned Giving Seminar, April, 2010, Greater Bay Area Conference on Planned Giving,  Greater San Diego Planned Giving Seminar, Partnership for Philanthropic Planning 2011 National Conference,  Chicago Council on Planned Giving, 2011 Masters Seminar

Alan’s sponsorships include: 2008 National Conference on Planned Giving, and 2009 National Conference on Planned Givingand the 2010National Conference on Planned Giving, and the 2012National Conference on Planned Giving, The Bay Area Jewish Community Endowment Fund's 13th Annual Tax and Estate Planning Seminar.

Alan has served on:

Board of Advisors, Business Division, Jewish National Fund, New York City, Board of Advisors – Hillel of Silicon Valley, Board of Advisors, Red Cross, Southwest Area Division