Policy Provisions

Modifications or changes in the policy

or any agreement in connection with the policy, such as changes in the beneficiary, face amount, or additional coverage, must be endorsed on or attached to the policy in writing over the signature of a specified officer or officers of the company. Only an executive officer of the insurer can change the contract, not the agent.

spendthrift

A person who spends money extravagantly

absolute or complete assignment

A voluntary assignment usually involves turning all rights—including the right to use the cash value—over to the assignee. For this reason, it can be called _______. When this assignment is made, the original policyowner usually has no means of recovering surrendered rights. This type of assignment is usually permanent.

Backdating

An insurer may not backdate a policy for more than six months before the original application was made to preserve age and reduce premium. Premium must be collected for each month the policy is backdated.

Class Designations

Another way of designating beneficiaries of life insurance policies is by group or by class, rather than by individual name. An example of such a designation would be "all my children" or "my brothers and sisters still living." This designation saves the policyowner the trouble of making changes if the membership of the group is altered because of births or deaths.

Example of Conversion Option

If Charlie discovers that he has only six months to live, he might decide to exchange his higher-premium 20-pay life for one-year term insurance with the same face amount. The insurer's risk has increased while its premium income has decreased. Thus, Charlie will have to prove insurability.

Reinstatement

If a life insurance contract was not surrendered for the cash savings value, many contracts permit reinstatement of the policy if it is effected within three years of the policy lapse. Proof of insurability may be requested by the insurer. In addition, all owed premiums (back premiums) as well as any outstanding loans must be paid. Many insurers request that an application for this must be completed. This means that statements made by the policyowner/applicant are again contestable for two years.

Status-type clause

If this clause is included in a life insurance contract, the policy will not pay in the event of death while the insured is in the military, regardless of the cause of death. This would hold true even if the insured were home on leave and the death had nothing to do with military action.

Beneficiaries' Assignment Rights

In some cases, the policy's beneficiary can assign a portion of the proceeds. However, unless the beneficiary has been named irrevocably, there is actually little to assign. A revocable beneficiary expects to receive the proceeds, unless the policyowner changes the designation to another person. A lending institution is unlikely to advance money based on such an expectancy. An irrevocable beneficiary is more likely to receive the death benefit. An irrevocable beneficiary, then, is more likely to find a lending institution willing to lend money.

Irrevocable beneficiary

In this case, the beneficiary designation cannot be changed without the consent and signature of that named beneficiary. The policyowner is responsible for paying the premium but needs consent and a signature from the beneficiary in order to exercise ownership rights such as borrowing from the cash value, assigning, or cancelling the policy. This designation might be used when a court orders a husband in a divorce settlement or annulment to continue payment on an insurance policy on his own life, with an ______ ________ designation on behalf of his wife (the primary beneficiary) and his children (the contingent beneficiaries).

eligible beneficiaries

Individuals , Businesses, Trusts, Estates, Charities, Minors

Beneficiaries

Life insurance companies place few restrictions on who may be named the beneficiary of a life insurance policy. The decision rests solely with the owner of the policy. Only when the applicant for a policy is not the insured (third party) does the question of insurable interest come into play. When a third-party applicant names himself as beneficiary, insurable interest must exist between the applicant and insured at the time of application.

Classes as beneficiaries

Rather than specifying one or more beneficiaries by name, the policyowner can designate a class or group of beneficiaries. For example, "children of the insured" and "my children" are class designations.

Medical Examinations and Autopsy Provision

Some states require life insurance policies to include a provision that gives the insurer the right, at its own expense, to examine an insured while a claim is pending, and in the event of death to perform an autopsy, at its own expense, and where not prohibited by law.

Advantage of reinstatement

The advantage of reinstating a lapsed policy instead of purchasing a new one is the insured original issue age is used when reinstated; therefore, the premium is lower.

assignee

The party receiving the assigned rights

assignor

The person transferring these rights

Policy Change Provision (Conversion Option)

The policy may contain a provision that permits the insured to exchange a policy for another type of policy form permitted by the company. If the exchange is to a policy with a higher premium, the insured merely has to pay the higher premium and no proof of insurability would be required. If the exchange is to a policy form with a lower premium, proof of insurability may be required as this could result in adverse selection against the insurer.

Naming Beneficiaries

There are two methods for naming and changing beneficiaries: the filing method and the endorsement method.

applicant control clause or the ownership clause.

This can be accomplished by including a clause that designates the parent (the applicant) as the controller (or owner) of the policy. Because this clause designates the applicant as the person in control of the policy, it is called

Collateral, Partial, Conditional Assignment

This involves the assignment of some but not all policy rights to an assignee. A lender may wish that a life contract be collaterally assigned so that it may draw upon the cash savings value if loan payments are not paid promptly.

A Trust as Beneficiary

This is formed when the owner of property (the grantor) gives legal title of that property to another (the trustee) to be used for the benefit of a third individual (the trust beneficiary). When a trust is designated as the beneficiary of a life insurance policy, the policy proceeds provide funds for the trust. Upon the death of the insured, the trustee administers the funds in accordance with the instructions set forth in the trust provisions. Life insurance trusts often are used to provide management of insurance proceeds on behalf of a beneficiary.

Per Capita and Per Stirpes

This is how life insurance proceeds are to be distributed to a person's descendants, Per stirpes means by the root or by way of branches. A per stirpes distribution means that a beneficiary's share of a policy's proceeds will be passed down to the beneficiary's living child or children in equal shares should they (the named beneficiaries) predecease the insured. Therefore, per stirpes means the proceeds go to the descendents of the named beneficiary. The per stirpes beneficiary does not have to be named because it goes through the bloodline. Per capita means per person or by the head. A per capita distribution means a policy's proceeds are paid only to the named beneficiaries who are living. Therefore, per capita means the proceeds go to the named beneficiary. In short, the per capita beneficiary claims the policy's proceeds in his own right, while the per stirpes beneficiary receives the proceeds through the rights of another.

grace period

This is the period of time following the date that each premium is due during which the insurance policy remains in force and coverage is provided, even though the premium has not yet been paid. This period protects the policyowner from an unintentional lapse of the policy. Since the policy remains in force during the grace period, the face amount of the contract will be paid to a named beneficiary should the insured die during this period. any outstanding premium owed to the insurer will be deducted from the face amount of the contract. Generally, the grace period in life insurance contracts is 31 days.

Filing Method (recording method)

This method of effecting a beneficiary change is also known as the recording method. The request must be filed in writing to the insurer and is made effective by the insurance company recording the change in its records.

Endorsement Method

This method requires that the beneficiary change be typed or affixed directly to the policy. The insured must make a written request and mail the request along with the policy to the insurance company.

Facility of Payment Provision

This provision allows the insurer to select a beneficiary if the named beneficiary is a minor, is deceased, or cannot be found. This provision is found most commonly in group life insurance contracts and industrial life policies. Normally, the insurer would select an immediate family member.

The Consideration Clause

This provision or clause in a life insurance policy provides that the insurance coverage is granted in consideration of the application and the payment of the initial premium. The payment of the initial premium is required to place the insurance coverage in effect. The insured's consideration is the premium paid and the representations made in the application. The insurer's consideration is the promise to pay the face amount of the contract to the named beneficiary upon the death of the insured.

Results-type clause

This type of clause is much less restrictive than the status type clause. A contract that includes this clause would not provide coverage for a member of the military if the member was killed as a result of military exercises or service in general. However, if the individual was home on leave and fatally injured in an accident or died as a result of a nonservice related illness, the insurer would pay the face amount of the contract.

Suicide Clause

When this clause is inserted in a life insurance contract, death by suicide is not covered during the policy's first two years. If suicide occurs during this initial two-year period, premiums are refunded but no face amount (death benefit) is paid. Following the two-year period, coverage is provided for suicide.

Ownership Rights

changing the beneficiary; receiving dividends if any are paid; borrowing funds from the cash value if they exist; and assigning of some or all the rights of the contract to another party.

The policy face

expresses the promise of the insurer and lists the name of the company, insured, amount of insurance carried, the mode and amount of premium, and when coverage is effective.

An assignment of a life insurance contract

involves the transfer of some or all of the policyowner's legal rights under the contract to another party. The policy provisions concerning assignment do not usually grant the owner/ insured any rights to assign, but do set out the procedures by which assignments may be made. When assignments are effected, the insurer must be notified.

Exclusions and Limitations

life insurance contracts contain exclusions, or defined circumstances, that would not be covered if death occurs.

Revocable beneficiary

one that may be changed by the policyowner. The policyowner may change revocable beneficiaries without their knowledge or consent.

A Minor as Beneficiary

presents problems. The most immediate of these problems is that a minor would not be competent legally to receive payment of and provide receipt for the policy proceeds if the insured dies before the minor comes of age. An insurance company may hold on to the proceeds, paying interest on them until the beneficiary reaches legal age, or the company may insist that a trustee or guardian be appointed for the minor, someone who is legally entitled to receive and manage the policy proceeds. Some parents anticipate this problem by establishing a trust to administer the life insurance proceeds and all other property in the estate of the parents in the event that both parents die leaving minor children.

Contingent beneficiary (secondary beneficiary)

the individual who will be paid the policy proceeds if the primary beneficiary predeceases the insured. In other words, the secondary beneficiary will receive the face amount of the contract if the primary beneficiary is not living at the time the insured dies.

Primary beneficiary

the person designated by the applicant to receive the face amount of the proceeds upon the insured's death. In most cases, a husband stipulates that his wife will be the primary beneficiary, and a wife usually designates her husband as her primary beneficiary.

tertiary beneficiary

will receive the face amount if the secondary beneficiary is not living at the time the insured dies. If none of the aforementioned beneficiaries still exist, proceeds are left with the insured's estate.

Changing Beneficiaries

Careless wording of beneficiary designations can result in confusion, conflict, and litigation. For this reason, the life insurance producer should insist that the applicant word the beneficiary designation carefully

A withdrawal

has generally the same impact on policy benefits, but there is no presumption that it will be repaid.Generally, only universal life and variable universal life policies, with their inherent policy flexibility, permit withdrawals. Because cash value withdrawals (versus loans) are taxable income to the extent they exceed the policyowner's cost basis in the contract, most sizeable withdrawals are technically regarded as "withdrawals" up to the owner's basis. Withdrawn amounts above basis are regarded as "loans," which are not taxable.

Insuring Clause (insuring agreement)

states that the insurer agrees to provide life insurance protection for the named insured which will be paid to a designated beneficiary when proof of death is received by the insurer. states the party to be covered by the life contract and names the beneficiary who will receive the policy proceeds in the event of the insured's death. If no beneficiary is named in the contract, the policy proceeds will be paid to the insured's estate.

Aviation Exclusion

This exclusion restricts coverage in the event of death from aviation activities, except when the insured is a fare-paying passenger. This exclusion is generally found in double indemnity (accidental death) provisions as well. This exclusion generally restricts coverage for military pilots and crew members. Aviation-related deaths of test pilots, stunt pilots, student pilots, or crop dusting pilots are not covered (but may be covered for an additional premium). Commercial airline pilots and crew members are usually covered at standard rates. For example, a person who applies for life insurance coverage and is a private pilot, for example, may be issued a policy, but an aviation rider or exclusion (excluding coverage for aviation activities) will be added to it.

Uniform Simultaneous Death Act

This law stipulates that if the insured and the primary beneficiary are killed in the same accident and there is insufficient evidence to show who died first, the policy proceeds are to be distributed as if the insured died last. This law allows the insurance company to pay the proceeds to a secondary or other contingent beneficiary. If no contingent beneficiary has been named, the insured's estate will receive the proceeds.

An inter vivos trust

takes effect during the lifetime of the grantor

Hazardous Occupation or Hobby Exclusion

underwriters focus on the applicant's avocations or hobbies. If an applicant participates in a hazardous hobby such as auto racing, sky diving, or scuba diving, the amount of insurance that may be purchased may be limited or an extra premium may be charged because of the additional risk. Also, the death benefit may be excluded if death occurred as a result of the hazardous avocation. Few applicants are declined life insurance because of their occupations.

voluntary assignment.

Sometimes the policyowner decides to sell or make a gift of a life insurance policy by assigning all rights in the policy to the assignee. This type of assignment is made voluntarily

entire contract clause

The entire contract provision. This provision states that the policy and a copy of the application constitutes the entire contract between the insurer and the insured. A copy of the life insurance application is attached to the policy. The life insurance contract provides that all statements made by the insured in the application will be considered as representations and not warranties. The basic purpose of the clause is to provide assurance to the policyowner that he has in his possession all necessary documents with regard to his life insurance coverage. (Policy document plus riders and a copy of the signed application.)*

spendthrift clause

The insured can protect the proceeds of an insurance policy from the actions of a spendthrift beneficiary through the use of this. The insured normally elects the spendthrift clause at the time of the application for insurance.

Characteristics of a spendthrift clause

The proceeds will be paid in some way other than a lump sum. The proceeds or payments to be made to the beneficiary are protected from the beneficiary's creditors while they are still held by the insurance company.

The least expensive way to pay the premium

annually. The other premium modes require the payment of a service charge added to the basic premium. For example, an annual policy premium may be $300. The monthly premium may be $25.50, which would total $306 of premium in a year.

Common disaster clause

states that in case of death in a common accident (disaster), the insured will be presumed to have survived the beneficiary. This prevents the payment of the insurance proceeds to the estate of the beneficiary and thus permits the proceeds to be distributed to any contingent beneficiaries or wherever else provided for by the policy. This clause only goes into effect if the insured and primary beneficiary are involved in the same accident. Most policies specify that the death of the primary beneficiary must occur within 30 to 90 days of the accident. If the primary beneficiary lives past the minimum time period, then the death benefit would be paid to the estate of the primary beneficiary.

Payment of Premium

This provision specifies when, where, and how premiums are to be paid. Usually premiums are to be paid in advance either at the company's home office or to the agent. The various modes of paying the premium also are identified, such as monthly, quarterly, semiannually, and annually.

The incontestable clause of a life insurance policy

states that after a specified period of time (two years), the insurer may not dispute or contest the validity of the contract or the statements. After the contract has been in effect for a specific length of time, the insurance company agrees not to challenge any statements made by the applicant on the application. The existence of this clause is unique to insurance contracts because it is contrary to general fraud laws. It simply indicates that an insurer, following the contestable period, may not claim that any misstatements in the application were made with the intent of the policyowner/insured to defraud. also assures that a named beneficiary will not have to substantiate any statements that were made on the application several years after the policy has been issued. In this situation, it would be extremely difficult for the named beneficiary and others to supply or substantiate information if the insurer contested the contract at the time of the insured's death.

The spendthrift clause also prevents the beneficiary from:

transferring the proceeds—assigning payments to a creditor; commuting the proceeds—taking the present value of future payments in a lump sum; and encumbering the proceeds—borrowing money on the strength of the proceeds of the policy.

Free Look Provision

this policy provision permits the policyowner to take a specified number of days to examine the life insurance contract. If the new policyowner decides that the purchase was unnecessary or unwise, the contract may be cancelled with the entire premium refunded by the insurer. laws vary in each state and range from 10- to 20-day periods (longer for senior insurance products). It begins when the policyowner receives the policy. For the applicant to receive a premium refund, the policy must be returned within 10 or 20 days from the date the policy is delivered.

Collateral assignment

transfers a portion of the ownership right temporarily. Rights are returned to the policyowner when the debt is repaid. In addition, the amount of the assignment cannot exceed the amount of the debt

Prohibited Provisions

A provision that limits the time for bringing any lawsuit against the insurance company to less than one year after the reason for the lawsuit occurs A provision that allows a settlement at maturity of less than the face amount plus any dividend additions, less any indebtedness to the company and any premium deductible under the policy A provision that allows forfeiture of the policy because of the failure to repay any policy loan or interest on the loan if the total owed is less than the loan value of the policy. A provision making the soliciting agent the agent of the person insured under the policy or making the acts or representations of the agent binding on the insured (agent must only be an agent of the company, not the insured).

Policy Loan Provisions

Interest is assessed by the insurer for these borrowed funds, and the interest rates are determined by each state. Currently, most life insurance contracts charge approximately 8% on some contracts and a variable interest rate on others. Partial surrenders are allowed with a Universal Life or a Variable Universal Life Policy. Any outstanding policy loans that are in existence at the time of the insured's death would reduce the policy proceeds. The outstanding loan would be subtracted from the face amount of the contract and the remainder paid to the named beneficiary. Interest on these loans are payable annually at the rate specified. However, interest that is not paid when due will be added to the loan and bear interest at the same rate. If the total indebtedness equals or exceeds the cash value of the contract, the policy will terminate (subject to 30 days' notice to the insured or other policyowner). In a whole life policy, the policyowner can usually borrow up to 90% of the policy's cash value. After a variable life policy has been in force for three years, the minimum percentage of the cash value that must be made available for a loan is 75%. The insurer is not required to loan 100% of the cash value, and if the loan exceeds the policy cash value due to poor separate account performance, the policyowner has 31 days to deposit enough into their account to make it positive. If the policyowner fails to do so, the insurer may terminate the contract.

testamentary trust

a trust created after the grantor's death, according to the provisions of the grantor's will.

Partial cash value distributions

classified as loans or withdrawals.

Policy provisions

identify the rights and obligations of both the policyowner and the insurer under the insurance contract.

A loan is just that

it is against one's own money. It is withdrawn with either the presumption that it will be repaid (with accrued interest) or the understanding that by not repaying it the amount of future benefits—including the death benefit—will be reduced by the loaned amount (plus accrued interest).

automatic premium loan (APL) provision

may be added to a cash value life insurance contract and protects the policyowner against the inadvertent lapsing of the contract. If the cash value is sufficient, a loan in the amount equal to the premium due is subtracted from the cash value to pay the premium. In most instances, this provision must be requested by the policyowner at the time of application. Many companies do not allow it to be added once the policy is issued. If the policyowner allows this loan to always pay the premium, the policy will lapse when the cash value is reduced to zero. If this happens, the policyowner will not be able to reinstate the policy.

Misstatement of Age or Sex Provision

the policy provides for an adjustment of benefits payable if it is discovered that, after an insured's death, or at the time of claim, the insured's age was misstated on an insurance policy application. Specifically, the benefit payable will be adjusted to an amount that the premium would have purchased at the correct age. If the misstatement is discovered during the policy period, there may be an adjustment of the face amount or a refund of excess premiums paid. An adjustment is involved whether the age was misstated higher or lower than it actually was. Any inaccuracy regarding the applicant's sex would be treated in the same manner, since premiums for females may be less expensive than those for males.

The Insured's Estate as Beneficiary

The insured may direct that the policy proceeds be payable to his executors, administrators, or assignees to pay estate taxes, expenses of past illness, funeral expenses, and any other outstanding debts before the settlement of the estate. However, in general it is not desirable to name the estate as beneficiary. When money enters an estate and there is no will, the court handling the disposition of that estate is required to distribute the assets according to state law, which may or may not be the way the deceased would have wished. In addition, estate costs usually are determined by the size of the probate estate. This means that adding life insurance policy proceeds to the probate estate increases the costs of settling the estate. Finally, when a policyowner leaves policy proceeds to a named beneficiary, there are ways to protect these funds from the beneficiary's creditors. When the proceeds go into the estate, the heirs receive the proceeds in cash, which is more vulnerable to creditors.

War or Military Service Exclusion

This exclusion normally provides for the return of premium with interest in the event that death occurs under conditions excluded in the policy. This clause is generally included in a life insurance contract that is issued during wartime or in time of impending military action. The purpose of this clause is to control adverse selection against the company by those individuals entering military service. Especially during wartime, an individual entering the military may purchase more insurance than he normally would. There are two basic types of war clauses