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What Is a Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU)?

Byline profile imageWritten by Danielle Klimashousky
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Byline profile imageEdited by Jeff White, CEPF®
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A Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) is a professional designation that represents the highest level of expertise in life insurance and estate planning. This prestigious credential, awarded by The American College of Financial Services, signifies that an individual has completed rigorous coursework and demonstrated comprehensive knowledge in areas such as life insurance, business planning, estate planning, and risk management. Financial advisors who earn the CLU designation have proven their ability to provide expert guidance on complex insurance matters and wealth transfer strategies.

To find a local financial advisor to work with, use SmartAsset’s free advisor matching tool.

What Is a Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU), and What Do They Do?

CLUs are insurance-focused financial advisors who have gained a high level of expertise in life insurance and estate planning. These professionals can help you navigate the complexities of life insurance, including how much insurance you need and what annuities you should consider. They can also work with small businesses and help them build succession plans, organize their tax and legals needs and more.

Some CLUs work on behalf of insurance agencies to sell you policies. As such, they are well-versed in what policies are available and what would be a good fit for your situation. They are usually able to answer any questions you have about buying life insurance, including coverage needs, whether you need term life or whole life insurance and which insurer to go with.

Life insurance rates depend heavily on your medical history and your family’s. But CLUs frequently work to offer clients the best rates possible. For those who have a high-risk or checkered past, you can count on a CLU to scour the market for your top matches.

To become a CLU, participants must complete coursework and exams in life insurance and estate planning. Participating advisors are also required to have worked full-time in the industry for at least three of the last five years and follow strict ethical standards. Once completed, advisors become insurance experts with the ability to help clients make decisions regarding estate planning, wills and trusts.

The American College is the exclusive institution that graduates financial advisors to become chartered life underwriters. The certification has actually been around since the 1920s.

Benefits of Working With a CLU

Working with a Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) provides access to specialized expertise in life insurance and financial planning. CLUs undergo rigorous education and training, completing eight college-level courses and passing detailed examinations on insurance, investments, taxation, and estate planning. This advanced knowledge allows them to offer informed recommendations tailored to your specific financial situation.

CLUs excel at analyzing your insurance needs and identifying appropriate coverage options. They understand the nuances of different policy types and can explain complex insurance concepts in understandable terms. A CLU can help determine the right amount of coverage for your circumstances, ensuring your loved ones are protected without unnecessary expenses.

Beyond insurance, CLUs take a comprehensive approach to financial planning. They consider how insurance fits within your broader financial picture, including retirement planning, tax strategies, and wealth preservation. This integrated perspective helps create cohesive financial strategies that address both immediate needs and long-term goals.

CLUs offer particular value in estate planning, helping preserve wealth for future generations. They understand how to structure insurance policies to maximize benefits for beneficiaries while minimizing tax implications. This expertise can be crucial for business owners, high-net-worth individuals or anyone concerned about legacy planning.

When You Should Work With a CLU

What Is a Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU)?

CLUs are experts in estate planning and risk management, as many of them come from an insurance background in some way. These characteristics make the advice of chartered life underwriters extremely valuable for specific clients. This includes those who are ready to buy life insurance, want to begin planning their estate or need some guidance on wills and trusts.

CLUs generally know insurance laws and companies’ offerings inside and out. Naturally, this level of expertise extends far beyond the skills of most people. As a result, it could be helpful to consult a chartered life underwriter to walk you through the process of finding an insurance policy that meets your financial and personal needs. A CLU can also help submit your life insurance application and keep you updated as it processes.

Insurance agents are inherently salespeople. That can make them appear unreliable to many people looking for a policy. On the other hand, CLUs are held to high ethical standards, with many working in a fiduciary capacity. This means that CLUs must act in your best financial interest at all times.

How Much Does It Cost to Work With a CLU?

As with all financial advisors, costs and fee structures vary for CLUs. Furthermore, not every firm employs a CLU, even if it claims to have experience with risk management and insurance planning.

If your CLU is an insurance agent, he or she likely receives payment as a percentage of the life insurance premium you purchase. This commission is already built into the premium and is regulated by the state. So you don’t have to worry about extra fees. Agents may also be salaried employees of life insurance companies. In that case, they receive the majority of their pay from their salary rather than commissions.

Some CLUs work in a fee-only capacity. That means they charge a fee for their service instead of earning a commission or a salary. Some people believe that this is the best choice to make, as it can remove the possibility of biased advice. For a quote of the exact hourly fees agents charge, you will need to contact the CLU directly directly.

Bottom Line

Anyone who’s seriously ready to buy life insurance but isn’t sure where to look should consider seeking out a CLU. Financial advisors with this certification are experts in the life insurance industry and are prepared to guide you through all of the options out there. Once you begin your search, pay close attention to how each chartered life underwriter receives compensation.

Tips for Choosing a Financial Advisor

What Is a Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU)?
  • Financial advisors can help you with a multitude of needs, including estate planning, tax planning, financial planning, investing and more. Finding a financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with vetted financial advisors who serve your area, and you can have a free introductory call with your advisor matches to decide which one you feel is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goal, get started now.
  • Research is the key to doing anything successfully in the financial sphere. You should also investigate the possibility of working with robo-advisor, which is a low-cost alternative to a traditional advisor-client arrangement.

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