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Category:Life Insurance110
Cash Value & Claims in Life Insurance
13 articles found
Life InsuranceCan You Borrow From a Life Insurance Policy? How Policy Loans Work
Permanent life insurance policies (whole life, universal life, indexed universal life, variable universal life) build cash value over time and most carriers let policyholders borrow against up to 90 percent of that accumulated cash value at the policys loan rate. Term life insurance has no cash value and cannot be borrowed against. This guide walks through how policy loans work, the loan rate (typically 4 to 8 percent), tax treatment, the 90 percent cap, and the most common policy-loan trap - what happens when the loan balance plus interest exceeds the cash value and the policy lapses.
Brian Greenberg•Updated Jun 2026
Life InsuranceSell Your Life Insurance Policy Guide
A life settlement is a transaction in which a life insurance policyholder sells their policy to a third-party investor for a lump-sum cash payout that is more than the policy's cash surrender value but less than the death benefit. Life settlements are typically available to insureds age 65 and older with policies of $100,000 or more.
Brian Greenberg•Updated Jun 2026
Life InsuranceLife Insurance Beneficiary Rules: A Complete Guide
A life insurance beneficiary designation overrides the will, which means a beneficiary form filled out 20 years ago can quietly redirect a $500,000 death benefit to an ex-spouse, a deceased family member, or even the estate (triggering probate). This guide walks through every rule that controls who gets paid: primary vs. contingent, per stirpes vs. per capita, the rules for naming minors and trusts, the community-property quirks in 9 states, and how to properly update a beneficiary after marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, or any major life change.
Brian Greenberg•Updated Jun 2026
Life InsuranceLife Insurance Waiting Period
When considering a final expense life insurance policy, it's crucial to carefully review any waiting periods, exclusions, or limitations that may apply.
Brian Greenberg•Updated Mar 2023
Life Insurance9 Ways Life Insurance Will Not Pay Out
When purchasing a new life insurance policy, many people don’t consider that there could be a specific situation in which the policy does not payout to the beneficiary. If you need help with a life insurance provider not paying.
Brian Greenberg•Updated Mar 2023
Life InsuranceUnderstanding Graded Whole Life Insurance vs Contestability Period
Graded benefit periods are different than a contestability period in that graded benefits are a period of time at the beginning of a certain life insurance product that removes coverage for 2-3 years for a non-accidental death.
Brian Greenberg•Updated Mar 2023
Life InsuranceCan You Use Life Insurance While Alive?
Although life insurance is designed to provide for loved ones upon the death of the insured person, there are some benefits to life insurance the policyholder can take advantage of while still alive. Find out more below.
Brian Greenberg•Updated Nov 2022
Life InsuranceCan You Cancel a Life Insurance Policy?
Canceling a life insurance policy is possible, and many people consider it when finances get tight and they're worried about paying the premiums.
Brian Greenberg•Updated Nov 2022
Life InsuranceCan You Have Multiple Life Insurance Policies?
When your financial status or family situations change, updating your life insurance is a wise idea.
Brian Greenberg•Updated Nov 2022
Life InsuranceDoes Life Insurance Cover Funeral Expenses?
The beneficiaries of a life insurance policy can certainly use the benefits to pay for their loved one's funeral, since they can use the benefits for anything they want.
Brian Greenberg•Updated Nov 2022
Life InsuranceDoes Life Insurance Cover Suicidal Death?
Losing a loved one to suicide is never easy. In the sad aftermath of a self-inflicted death, your first thoughts are probably not about whether life insurance will cover your loved one's untimely death.
Brian Greenberg•Updated Nov 2022
Life InsuranceHow To Find Out If Someone Has Life Insurance
Millions of dollars in life insurance death benefits sit idle, every year. Why? Because the beneficiary doesn't know they are a beneficiary, and the insurance company can't get a hold of them. Life insurance policy locator services.
Brian Greenberg•Updated Jul 2022
Life InsuranceHow Life Insurance Dividends Work & the Options Available
What are life insurance dividends, and how do you benefit from them? Read Insurancy’s guide to life insurance dividend options to learn more.
Brian Greenberg•Updated May 2022