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Experience the Nationwide® Underwriting difference

Find out how our fast service, competitive, transparent offers and dedicated support at every step make us a life insurance partner you can depend on.

Already have a case? Log in to submit an e-application.
Have questions? Call us at 1-866-678-5433.

70%

of cases qualify for
fluidless underwriting

8 days

the average time for digital applications to go from submission to decision

68%

of all applications are placed

52%

of clients receive an offer of Preferred or better

Our commitment to you and your clients

Learn how Nationwide Underwriting’s philosophy empowers our underwriters to make more competitive offers first with fewer requirements.

How Nationwide Life Underwriting works

Nationwide Underwriting is composed of a unique combination of digital capabilities, transparent communication and human perspective to ensure each client quickly gets the best offer possible for their individual situation.

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Application

Financial professional submits a shortened paper or electronic application.

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Interview

Client answers personal and health questions either electronically or over the phone.

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Evaluation1

The underwriter reviews the interview results and additional data to determine if more information is needed.*

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Decision

The underwriter uses data and human perspective to decide the best offer possible for each client’s unique situation.

* Sometimes a medical exam, labs, electronic health records and other requirements may be needed.

Download the process guide

Digital capabilities simplify the underwriting process to give clients a seamless experience.

  • Online interview: Watch the video to learn about the benefits of — and steps involved with — our electronic interview option. 
  • E-application: Save time and paper by choosing to submit applications electronically.
  • E-delivery: Once the application is approved, make it quick and easy to get contracts to clients by selecting electronic delivery. 
Nationwide Senior Underwriting Analyst Justine Hope works on her laptop at Nationwide headquarters.

Personalized attention makes all the difference

Justine Hope, Senior Underwriting Analyst: I received 2 applications on a 34-year-old male that were approved for fluidless underwriting. An MIB code came back indicating that the client was a daily marijuana user, which would typically result in a Table B Nontobacco rating.

I reached out to the financial professional and learned that the code was due to a prior application submitted by another financial professional, who was unfamiliar with the client’s marijuana usage. After learning that the client actually smoked very infrequently with a few months of complete abstinence, I was able to approve the cases at Preferred Plus Nontobacco.

Read more real examples

Nationwide Underwriting programs

Our quality underwriting programs are designed to help you present the best offer possible on every case. We discuss them briefly here, but you can find more details about each in the program guide.

Celebratory cigar: This program allows individuals who occasionally smoke cigars to qualify for Preferred Plus Nontobacco (up to 36/year) or Preferred Nontobacco rates (37+/year) if they’re otherwise healthy and qualify.

Marijuana use: Recreational marijuana users may qualify for Nontobacco rate classes depending on their frequency of use and subject to restrictions.

Wellness Credits Program: For clients who maintain a healthy lifestyle, our wellness credits could result in a better underwriting classification and price for their life insurance by meeting specific factors.

Placement Improvement Program: With this program, clients who would be rated a Table C or better with traditional company underwriting procedures may be able to receive a Standard rating on select permanent products.

Term + Perm: Allows clients who are either U.S. citizens with an eligible term policy or permanent residents with a 10-year issued green card and an eligible term policy to buy a new permanent life insurance policy from Nationwide without current medical requirements.2

Competitor match: When clients ages 25 to 70 have 2 matching final offers or formal applications on permanent products from qualifying carriers, Nationwide will match that offer if we originally rated them a Table C or better. Refer to the program guide for a full list of qualifying carriers and parameters.

Nationwide Executive Advantage: Nationwide® Executive Advantage is a streamlined underwriting program for face amounts up to $50 million3 to help meet the needs of your busiest clients. 

Additional resources

Keep this underwriting procedures overview at your fingertips.

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Find all of the information you need to know when submitting business with us.

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Help clients understand the benefits of working with us by sharing this guide.

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A financial professional smiles while talking on the phone with his Nationwide wholesaler.

Let Nationwide help you place the case

To learn more about Nationwide Life Underwriting and how it can work for you and your clients, call us at 1-866-678-5433 or contact us by fax at 1-888-677-7393.

Log in to submit an e-app

[1] Not all products qualify for fluidless underwriting, including Nationwide Survivorship Indexed UL, Nationwide Survivorship VUL II, Nationwide CareMatters and Nationwide CareMatters Together.
[2] Permanent residents must have been in the U.S. at least 12 months.
[3] Amounts over $10 million require a minimum net worth of $5 million.