Blog | Choice Screening | Background Screening

The Importance of Background Checks in Underwriting

Written by Vanessa Mitchell | Tuesday, 17 December 2024

It is important to run a thorough and comprehensive background check on your applicant to gain access to their full background and history. The risk of each applicant must be thoroughly assessed during the underwriting process. This includes evaluating whether an applicant has criminal history, driving history, debts, or bankruptcies that would conclusively alter the decision to cover. Specific products would include criminal, employment, credit, driving history, and more. Insurance-specific background check products help carriers determine risk and ultimately accelerate the underwriting process.

The primary portion of an insurance background check investigates the criminal history of an applicant. A criminal history record check with uncover any misdemeanor or felony records, the scope, timeline, and any outstanding criminal cases.

Verifying employment through employment verification determines if an applicant’s current employment status, employment history, profession, and length of employment. All crucial pieces in making informed decisions.

A previous or current bankruptcy as well as any known debts will be uncovered and help to determine if an applicant can manage premiums in their current financial state.

An applicant’s motor vehicle record helps to determine other risks, such as DUI or dangerous accidents.

Other portions of the background check could include drug and alcohol testing or a workers compensation search. It is ultimately the underwriter’s decision of what to check, but in order to remain compliant, you must treat each applicant equally and perform identical background check packages on each applicant.

Choice Screening has developed and maintains advanced technology and software to assist underwriters strengthen background screening practices. Our team of experts developed an API allowing clients to integrate directly into the Choice Screening system. The robust reporting capabilities gives you accelerated access to a clear depiction of your applicant all while maintaining compliance.

Don’t know where to start? Here is a sample list of products specifically designed for underwriting:

7 Year Misdemeanor & Felony Search – is the standard for a comprehensive background check because it is focused specifically on the applicant’s jurisdictions of residence within the last 7 years. With direct court record access, the report will include charges and severity, case status, disposition, sentencing details, and identifiers.

Verified Enhanced National Criminal Search - combines SSN validation, address history, alias name searches, plus access to over 1,000 sources and over 800 million criminal records. All records are verified by the researchers directly at the source prior to reporting.

Bankruptcy, Liens, & Judgments Search – reveals a complete picture of bankruptcies, commitments, and responsibilities with access to over 71 million lien records, 9 million federal records, 27 million state records, 12 million HOA liens, 4 million mechanics liens, and 33 million judgment records.

Employment Verification – is performed by a team of professional and experienced researchers who will confirm dates of employment, position, reason for leaving (if applicable), rehire eligibility, as well as any additional information provided by the employers.

Motor Vehicle Record Search – provides 3- or 7-year driving history with a direct DMV interface and includes driving restrictions, license status, moving violations and citation history, as well as criminal driving violations and accident history.

Click here for a list of all Choice Screening products and services.

Ultimately, after consulting with our account advisors, we will be able to create a package that best suits your needs. Do not miss the opportunity to maintain compliance and integrity with Life Insurance Background Checks. Consult with one of our background screening experts today to get started!

 

This communication is intended for Choice Screening's current or prospective clients and partners and may not be forwarded outside of Choice Screening, posted online, or otherwise reprinted in whole or in part. 

The information contained in this newsletter is not all encompassing and is meant to be informative only, nor contains legal advice, expressed or implied. Consult with qualified legal counsel in all matters of employment, business, and background screening law.