List of Best Structured Settlement Buyers

  • CBC Settlement Fundning
  • Fairfield Funding
  • DRB Capital
  • Oasis Legal Finance
  • Novation Settlement Solutions
  • SenecaOne
  • Liberty Settlement Funding
  • AnFed Bank
  • Stone Street Capital
  • Strategic Capital

CBC Settlement Funding

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Editor's Take

CBC Settlement Funding offers a wealth of helpful online resources for you to browse. Look up unfamiliar terms in their glossary or fill out a simple online form to get in contact immediately. With competitive rates, this direct funder is committed to helping you receive your payments as soon as possible.

Details

  • Customer Services
    Email and Phone Support
  • Employees
    11-50
  • BBB rating
    A+
  • NASP Member
    Yes
  • Pre-settlement Funding
    Yes

Best Price Guarantee

  • No

Legal Representation

  • Yes

Qualified Payments

  • Structured Settlement
  • Annuity Payments
  • Lottery Winnings

DRB Capital

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Editor's Take

DRB Capital is the leading structured settlement buyer in the nation. With a history of excellence, they’ve refined their consultation, negotiation, and sale process into a fine science that is both straightforward and hassle-free – from start to finish. Unlike competing buyers, you’ll work with one dedicated, trusted expert every step of the way, so you can feel confident that you’re receiving a fair, advantageous deal.

From there, DRB Capital works on your behalf and even provides a court representative to help you navigate the settlement transaction efficiently. With their help, you can receive your money sooner and with no complications. Offering favorable terms, a best-price-guarantee, and outstanding customer service, DRB Capital allows you to sell your structured settlement payments with peace of mind. To help provide each client with the resources they need – as they need them – DRB Capital also offers pre-settlement funding through their lawsuit advance division.

Details

  • Customer Services
    Chat, Email and Phone Support
  • Employees
    101-250
  • BBB rating
    A+
  • NASP Member
    Yes
  • Pre-settlement Funding
    Yes

Best Price Guarantee

  • Yes

Legal Representation

  • Yes

Qualified Payments

  • Structured Settlement
  • Annuity Payments

Fairfield Funding

0 Review(s)

Editor's Take

Fairfield offers a simple quote-request form online, so you can begin the process right away. If you have questions or concerns, you can chat live with a representative to have your queries resolved.

Details

  • Customer Services
    Chat, Email and Phone Support
  • Employees
    1-10
  • BBB rating
    A+
  • NASP Member
    Yes
  • Pre-settlement Funding
    No

Best Price Guarantee

  • Yes

Legal Representation

  • Yes

Qualified Payments

  • Structured Settlement
  • Annuity Payments
  • Lottery Winnings

Choosing the Right Buyer for Your Structured Settlement

Selling your settlement payments is a major decision and choosing the best buyer can make a huge difference in how much you benefit from the transaction and how quickly the process is completed. In addition to reading online reviews, you should also be willing to reach out to the settlement buyer and receive some vital pieces of information. Utilizing all of these tactics make sure you’re fully educated on what the best option is.

To get started, find out the answers to these questions regarding a particular structured settlement company.

  • Can you get a free quote
    with no obligation?
  • Do customer service
    representatives honestly and knowledgeably answer your questions?
  • Does the buyer put your
    interest first?
  • Do you feel pushed into
    selling all of your annuity payments?

When choosing a structured settlement annuity buyer, you also need to look for a company in a stable financial situation with no history of bankruptcy or complaints with SEC or other authorities. Pay close attention to the reputation of the buyer, too.

It’s always a red flag if the buyer automatically suggests that you sell all of your payments. Instead, a good structured settlement company will offer a customized plan fit for your specific needs. They’ll also be transparent with their fees and be straightforward on how long it will take to get you your money.

Another trait of a good annuity buyer is one that answers promptly. You should also be assigned a dedicated customer service representative who is aware of your specific situation and is the person you speak to every time you call. This saves you time so you don’t have to explain things over and over again every time you call.

Finally, make sure you’ll be assisted with a court date and will receive help from the settlement company every step of the way. By finding a buyer with each of these qualities, you’ll be sure to get a smooth experience.

Selling Structured Settlements: How It Works

The payment you receive for selling your monthly payments varies depending on factors such as the buyer and how much you choose to sell. You don’t actually have to sell your entire annuity.

You can choose to sell just a portion of your structured settlement to receive a partial lump sum now, while still reserving some ongoing payments for the future.

To make the best choice for your individual situation, follow these steps to make the process as smooth as possible.

Step 1: Contact multiple companies for quotes

Start by getting free quotes from companies that buy structured settlements. You can compare different options for how to balance your monthly payments between now and the future, or opt to receive a lump sum now. Be careful in researching your selected companies to make sure they’re not actually the same company giving you two separate offers. You want to get truly competing offers before completing the deal. Once you evaluate the offers from different settlement purchasers, you can accept the best one.

Step 2: Have a court hearing and get a judge’s approval

Court approval is required to sell a structured settlement. It may seem like a cumbersome step, but it’s really meant to protect your financial interests. When you appear in court, the judge will ask you some questions about the agreement between you and the settlement buyer to confirm that you understand the details and that the agreement is in your best interest. Ideally, the judge will approve the sale at this point. Also note that some settlement buyers work to appear on your behalf so you don’t actually have to go to court in person.

Step 3: Notify the Insurance Company

Once your transaction order is approved in court, you can have a copy of the documentation sent to your insurance company. This lets them know that the annuity is being sold so they can complete the transaction on their end and communicate as needed to the structured settlement purchaser.

Typically, your purchaser should oversee this step, but it’s still good to stay on top of the details to make sure everything is happening as it should

Step 4: Receive Your Money

The final part of selling your annuity is receiving your money from the purchaser. This should be in lump sum. If you sold your entire annuity amount, you’ll stop receiving payments from the insurance company. Otherwise, you’ll receive reduced payments if you only sold a portion. Most structured settlement companies offer multiple payment option so you can choose the most convenient one for you.

Discount Rates Explained

When you start requesting quotes to sell your settlement payments, you’ll probably notice that the amount is lower than the total of your anticipated payments from your insurance company. That’s because of the “discount rate,” which is the industry term for the fee companies charge to purchase your annuity and provide you with a lump sum of money upfront in exchange for your future payments.

Here’s how it works in an example. With a $50,000 settlement, you might receive that in separate payments spread out over several years, perhaps even decades. If you want a lump sum right away, you’ll get less from a purchaser – a discount rate.

This is because over time, the cost of living increases and the value of a dollar today is worth more than it will be in the future. For example, back in the early 80s, the average cost of daycare for a child was $162 per month. Today, according to the NACCRA, the amount is $972 a month.

The exact discount rate and the size of your payout will depend on the buyer and various other factors, such as how far out are the rest of your payments. The further out they are, the higher the discount rate. You get less now because the settlement buyer has to wait longer to receive those funds. 

When evaluating the discount rate of each quote, also consider the services you’ll receive from the purchaser. CBC Settlement Funding, for example, fills out paperwork and goes to court on your behalf so that you don’t have to hire a lawyer, take time off of work, or otherwise inconvenience yourself. You’re getting quite a bit more than a company that just writes a check but expects you to do all the legal leg work.

How Selling Your Annuity Can Solve Financial Issues

There are many reasons people choose to sell their structured settlement payments, but it’s not something you should consider lightly. After all, you’ll be giving up a significant portion of your settlement, which has the potential to provide you with financial stability for many years to come. This is especially important if you’re unable to work in your previous field because of an injury or other issue that resulted in the settlement in the first place.

What is a good reason for selling your future payments?

There’s no one-size-fits all answer to this question. But we can give you an idea of some scenarios where it’s worth considering.


Continuing Your Education

Starting a Low-Risk Business

Paying for Medical Care or Debt

Buying a Home or Paying Off Mortgage

Buying a Car

Paying Off High-Interest Debt

If you need a bit more flexibility to meet your financial goals or position yourself for a better future in the long-term, then selling your annuity be a good idea.

What is a Structured Settlement?

A structured settlement is often the result of a personal injury lawsuit in which the plaintiff (the party injured) receives periodic payments as a compensation for the injuries sustained in an accident.

Common ways people get settlements include:

  • Medical malpractice
  • Personal injury
  • Worker’s comp
  • Wrongful death

The income from a lawsuit in these scenarios generally comes through what is known as an annuity. The funds are received as stream payments from an insurance company.

In most cases, you’ll receive the income as a monthly stream of payments over a certain period of time. However, some people do not consider a long-term stream of payments as beneficial compared to a one lump sum payment.

That’s where selling your settlement payments comes in. Consider the pros and cons of both payment options to determine your best course of action moving forward.

Structured Settlement Protection Act

This type of law is enacted at the state level and is designed to protect your best interests surrounding your structured settlement. While the exact specifications vary depending on where you live, the consistent theme is required transparency from the factoring company you choose to work with.

Court approval is a must in order to complete the transaction and you must receive a disclosure statement outlining all of the details within the agreement, including the difference between the payout you’ll receive and the long-term value of the annuity.

Each state also has its own “cooling-off period,” during which you can change your mind and cancel the transaction. These laws are meant to favor you so you can fully understand the process and maximize your benefit from it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you sell a structured settlement?

Yes, it is completely legal to sell a structured settlement in most cases. Each state does have its own regulations to oversee the process, so refer to those legal nuances before getting started. Also check your settlement agreement for anti-sale or anti-assignment language, although some companies may still be able to help you. A reputable company will review your agreement as part of the process, so you’ll have a realistic strategy right from the start.

How fast is the quote process?

Each settlement buyer differs in their turnaround time. In most cases, you can submit an online quote form and hear back from a professional within a few business days. You can also directly call a company to speak with a representative, who may be able to give you a quote on the phone. Don’t rush this part of the selling process since you want to compare multiple options and choose the best one.

How long does it take to sell a structured settlement?

Different states have different timelines for selling annuities. You should initially allow for one to three months. When you finalize your selected settlement buyer, they can give you a more accurate timeline based on their specific funding process in your state. Even if a company boasts a fast closing time, understand that it still takes time to finalize the process and it won’t be done in a day or two.

Are there different waiting periods for each state?

Yes, each state has its own laws on the required process for selling monthly payments. Make sure that your annuity buyer does business in your state and has a solid working knowledge of local regulations.

What is your structured settlement worth?

Just because you’re scheduled to receive a certain amount of money over an extended period of time doesn’t mean that you’ll receive that full amount when you sell your settlement payments. In fact, you’ll almost definitely receive less. Check with multiple companies to see what kind of quote you can receive to see which is the best deal. You can also try an online calculator to get a ballpark estimate.

Do you have to sell your entire annuity?

No, you can just sell part of your structured settlement if you so desire, so that you receive some upfront cash while still getting ongoing payments over time. Talk to your settlement purchaser to figure out different ways to structure a transaction that helps you today but also gives you some stability in the future.

Are structured settlements taxable?

In most cases, you do not have to pay taxes on any funds received from your settlement payments. You also don’t usually have to pay taxes on the funds you get from selling your settlement. However, if you choose to invest the money and you receive interest and/or dividends, you will be responsible for paying taxes on those earnings.

Can you sell your structured settlement if you’re behind on mortgage payments?

If you have a past due mortgage or mortgages, you can use your annuity to get caught up, or even pay off your house completely, so you no longer have the debt. Most judges do not want to see people lose their homes and it is a need that is often approved.

What is the discount rate when selling settlement payments?

The discount rate refers to the difference between the total value of your annuity over time and what you’ll receive when selling your settlement. Because of fees and inflation, structured settlement companies generally pay you less than what you would receive if you kept receiving funds for the original duration.

What information should you receive from an annuity buyer?

The amount of money you’ll receive is a key piece of information to find out from your annuity buyer. Also figure out how fast their funding time is, and what kind of legal services they’ll provide you. It may be worth working with a full-service company in order to avoid expensive lawyer fees.

Can you sell more of your structured settlement if you’ve already sold part of it?

Yes, most annuity buyers are willing to work with you even if you’ve already sold part of your settlement. There’s typically no limit to how many times you can sell, as long as you still have money left as part of your annuity.

What’s the difference between an annuity and a structured settlement?

An annuity is typically the investment vehicle that your monthly payments are paid out of. The settlement is the legal tool used to deliver your funds after you’ve had a liability ruling in your favor and a court determines that you’re owed compensation.
by Lauren Ward

Personal Finance Writer

Lauren Ward is a personal finance writer with nearly ten years of experience covering topics like loans, credit, and real estate. She lives in Virginia with her husband and three children.

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