Life Insurance Agent in Santee & San Diego

Talk with our team by phone or video call. Family members are welcome to join.

Why work with an independent agent?

We’re not tied to one insurance company. A captive agent generally offers one company’s policies. As an independent agency, we can compare policies from several carriers. See the companies we work with on our Carriers page.
Your health history matters, and carriers see it differently. Two companies can look at the same history and make different offers. Comparing gives you a better chance of finding a fit.
Our help doesn’t add a fee. The insurance company sets the premium and pays our commission. You don’t pay us anything extra for quotes or advice.
We’re local, and we’re still here after the sale. We help with beneficiary updates, coverage reviews as life changes, and claims support for your family.
Licensed and accountable. CBIS is licensed by the California Department of Insurance (Agency License #0F09685) and has been a BBB Accredited Business since 2012, with an A+ rating.

Types of life insurance we help with

Term life insurance

Term life covers you for a set period, such as 10, 20, or 30 years. If you die during the term, your beneficiaries receive the death benefit. Term usually costs less than permanent coverage as a way to buy a large amount of coverage for the years your family depends on your income most.

Whole life insurance

Whole life covers you for your entire life as long as you keep paying the premiums. It also builds cash value over time. It costs more than term for the same amount of coverage, but it never runs out.

Life insurance with living benefits

Some term and permanent policies (including universal life) include living benefits. These let you use part of the death benefit early if you’re diagnosed with a qualifying critical, chronic, or terminal illness. Using them lowers the amount your beneficiaries receive later. Learn more about living benefits.

Also available

Health insurance for individuals and families. See Individual & Family>.
Group employee benefits and voluntary / supplemental benefits for local employers. See Group Employee Benefits.

Areas we serve

Our office is in Santee, and we work with individuals and families in Santee, El Cajon, La Mesa, Lakeside, and San Diego, as well as across San Diego County.

How it works

Tell us about yourself. Book a phone or video call, call (858) 283-7575, or fill out our life insurance quote form. We’ll ask about your family, your budget, and what you want the coverage to do.
We figure out the right amount and type. We’ll look at your income, debts, and goals, plus any coverage you already have, and suggest an amount and type that make sense.
We compare carriers. We gather quotes from multiple insurance companies and explain the differences in simple terms — price, coverage, and what each company will need from you.
You apply, and we handle the follow-up. We help with the application and any exam or medical records the carrier asks for, and we keep you updated.
We review your policy with you. When the policy is issued, we go over it together. After that, we’re here for beneficiary changes, coverage reviews, and claims help.

Ready for step one? Pick a time that works for you.

Book a free phone or video call

Meet the team

Jeffrey Welty, President. Jeff has been in the insurance business since 1976 and leads CBIS.
Shannon Cummings, Account Manager. Shannon joined CBIS in 2008. She runs day-to-day operations, manages group health accounts, and builds the enrollment databases that keep open enrollment running cleanly for HR and employees.

Our office is at 10769 Woodside Ave, Suite 103, Santee, CA 92071. Most meetings are by phone or video call, so you don’t need to come in.

Frequently asked questions

Does it cost more to buy life insurance through an independent agent?

No. The insurance company sets the premium, and it pays our commission. You don’t pay us a separate fee for quotes, advice, or help with the application. Our quotes are free and there’s no obligation to buy.

How much life insurance do I need?

It depends on what you want the policy to do. Most people add up the years of income their family would need, the mortgage and other debts, future costs like college, and final expenses. Then they subtract savings and any coverage they already have. We’ll walk through the numbers with you before you choose a policy.

Should I get term or whole life insurance?

Term life usually costs less and fits a need with an end date, like raising children or paying off a mortgage. Whole life costs more, but it lasts your whole life and builds cash value. Some families use a mix of both. We’ll show you options side by side so you can decide what fits your budget.

What are living benefits?

Living benefits let you use part of your policy’s death benefit while you’re alive if you’re diagnosed with a qualifying critical, chronic, or terminal illness. Any amount you use lowers what your beneficiaries receive. Which illnesses qualify, how much you can access, and the cost all vary by carrier and policy, so we’ll go over the details of each option with you.

Do I need a medical exam to get life insurance?

Not always. Depending on your age, health, and the amount of coverage, some carriers can approve a policy based on your application answers and records they check electronically. Others ask for a short exam, often done by a nurse at your home or office, and sometimes for your doctor’s records. We’ll tell you up front what each carrier is likely to need.

How long does it take to get covered?

It varies. Some policies are approved within days. Policies that need an exam or medical records can take several weeks. We follow up with the insurance company and keep you posted until your policy is issued.

I have life insurance through work. Do I still need my own policy?

Maybe. Group life insurance through an employer is a good benefit, but the amount is often limited, and the coverage may end or change if you leave the job. A policy you own stays with you. We can look at what you have now and help you decide whether it’s enough.

Do you only work with people in Santee?

No. Our office is in Santee, and we work with clients in El Cajon, La Mesa, Lakeside, San Diego, and across San Diego County. We’re licensed by the California Department of Insurance (Agency License #0F09685). Meetings are by phone or video call.

Get a free life insurance quote

Ready to compare your options?

Quotes are free with no obligation. We meet by phone or video call, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.