Who Is Big Lou?
We're just like you. We're on meds too.
Big Lou was created for real people with real health histories who want life insurance without the games, fake-perfect quotes or pressure.
Why Big Lou Exists
Life insurance advertising has always had a temptation built into it: show the customer the lowest possible rate first and let underwriting sort out the details later.
That works fine if you really qualify for the best rate class. But a lot of people don't fit into a perfect little box.
They take blood-pressure medication. They use a CPAP. They have Type 2 diabetes. They had a stent five years ago. They are 30 pounds heavier than they were at 35.
In other words, they are normal adults. Big Lou was created for them.
Big Lou Is Not an Insurance Company
Big Lou is the consumer brand of TermProvider, an independent life insurance brokerage based in Fort Walton Beach, Florida.
We work with multiple life insurance companies and help applicants determine which carrier and underwriting path may make sense for their situation.
Big Lou does not set the insurance company's rate. The insurance company does.
Our job is to help you understand where you may realistically fit before sending your case into underwriting.
The Big Lou Principle
We don't just shop prices. We shop underwriting.
Different life insurance companies can evaluate the same medical history differently. One may be more comfortable with diabetes. Another may be more favorable with treated sleep apnea. Another may have different build guidelines. Another may be a better fit for a particular cardiac history.
The health history stays the same. The underwriting manual can change.
Real Health Histories Are More Than Checkboxes
A life insurance application may ask whether you have diabetes. An experienced underwriting conversation goes further.
What is your A1C? How long have you had it? What medication do you take? Do you have complications?
The same is true with sleep apnea, heart disease, blood pressure, cancer history, weight and prescription medications.
The diagnosis matters. The details often matter more.
The Kind of Cases Big Lou Handles Every Day
Type 2 Diabetes
A1C, medications, age at diagnosis, insulin use, complications and overall control can all affect underwriting.
Sleep Apnea
Severity, AHI, treatment, CPAP compliance, BMI and other cardiovascular risk factors may matter.
Learn more about life insurance with sleep apnea →
Heart Disease
A past heart attack, stent or bypass is not one uniform risk. Time since the event, cardiac function, testing, symptoms and surrounding risk factors can all matter.
Elevated BMI
Different carriers may use different build guidelines and may view weight differently when other conditions are present.
Prescription Medications
Underwriters usually care about why you take the medication, how stable the condition is and whether treatment is working.
Big Lou Is Not Anti-Technology
Online life insurance has gotten much better. Accelerated underwriting can use electronic data to make quick decisions, and for a straightforward applicant that can be an excellent option.
Big Lou uses technology too. We simply do not believe speed should automatically determine the underwriting path.
Fast when it can be fast. Expert when it needs to be expert.
We Would Rather Give You a Realistic Rate Than a Mythical One
Preferred Plus is a real life insurance rate. The important question is whether it is a real rate for you.
If your health history makes Preferred Plus unrealistic, quoting it anyway may make the first conversation easier. It can also create a very unpleasant surprise after underwriting.
Big Lou would rather ask a few more questions upfront and try to predict where you may realistically land.
Your Rate Class Is Where the Price Gets Real
Big Lou uses a Ratings Ladder to help explain how life insurance companies turn underwriting into price.
Preferred Plus, Preferred, Standard Plus, Standard and table-rated classes can all produce materially different premiums.
Because carriers have different underwriting guidelines, the same applicant can sometimes land on different rungs with different insurance companies.
See the Big Lou Ratings Ladder →
Already Declined or Rated Higher Than Expected?
Do not assume the first company's decision is automatically the final answer. First find out why you were declined, postponed or table-rated. Then determine whether another carrier may view the situation differently.
Big Lou can help review the underwriting result and determine whether another path is worth considering.
Learn what to do after a life insurance decline →
No Pressure. No Money on the First Call.
Talking to Big Lou does not mean agreeing to buy a policy. We do not need payment on the first conversation.
The first job is understanding what you need and what your health history looks like. Then we can help you understand the options.
If you want to compare them with another company, compare them. We'd rather earn the business than pressure you into it.
There's One Thing Big Lou Needs From You
Be honest with us. Tell us about the medications. Tell us about the diagnosis. Tell us about the old DUI, the CPAP, the heart procedure or the medical test you're waiting on.
Surprises do not help your application. The more accurately we understand your situation, the better chance we have of choosing the right underwriting path.
What Big Lou Is Not
Big Lou is not a promise that everyone gets Preferred Plus. We are not a promise that every declined applicant can be approved somewhere else. We are not a promise that the longest underwriting process always produces the lowest price.
And we are not anti-instant life insurance. Sometimes an instant option is exactly the right answer. Big Lou is about understanding the trade-offs before you choose.
How the Big Lou Process Works
1. Tell Us About You
Coverage needs, age, medications and basic health history.
2. Estimate Your Rate Class
We look at the underwriting details that may affect where you land.
3. Compare Underwriting Paths
We identify carriers and products that may fit your profile.
4. You Decide
No obligation to move forward simply because we gave you a quote.
5. We Help Through Underwriting
Application, records, underwriting questions and the final offer.
Upfront. Honest. Realistic.
That's what Big Lou is supposed to represent.
Real people helping real people understand life insurance before they commit to a policy they may keep for decades.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Big Lou an insurance company?
No. Big Lou is the consumer brand of TermProvider, an independent life insurance brokerage. Policies are issued by the life insurance companies Big Lou represents.
Does Big Lou work with people who have health problems?
Yes. Big Lou focuses heavily on applicants with health conditions such as diabetes, sleep apnea, cardiac history, elevated BMI and other underwriting concerns.
Does Big Lou offer no-medical-exam life insurance?
Accelerated and no-medical-exam underwriting options may be available for qualifying applicants. Availability and coverage limits vary by carrier, product and individual applicant.
Why does Big Lou ask so many health questions?
The goal is to estimate your likely underwriting class and identify carriers that may fit your profile before simply showing you the lowest theoretical quote.
Does talking to Big Lou obligate me to buy?
No. There is no obligation to purchase simply because you speak with an agent or receive a quote.
Can Big Lou help if I was already declined?
Potentially. Big Lou can review why the prior application was declined or rated and determine whether another carrier, additional information or more time may be appropriate. Approval cannot be guaranteed.
Ready to See What You May Actually Qualify For?
Tell us a little about what you need and your health history. We'll help you understand the underwriting paths that may make sense.
Disclaimer: This page provides general educational information and is not a guarantee of eligibility, approval, rate class, premium or savings. Life insurance products, underwriting guidelines, accelerated underwriting programs and availability vary by insurance company, state, product and individual applicant.