Review Our Glossary of Life Insurance Terms
We recognize you are looking to make the best decisions for you and your family by comparing online life insurance quotes. We feel it is important for you to be informed about life insurance rates in order to make smart decisions about your life insurance. This Life Insurance Glossary can assist you in understanding some of the terms you may encounter when researching online life insurance quotes and life insurance rates.
You can browse through the entire Life Insurance Glossary or select a specific range of terms alphabetically from the links below.
Life Insurance Terms
Accelerated Benefits Rider
A life insurance rider that allows for the early payment of some portion of the policy's face amount should the insured suffer from a terminal illness or injury.
A life insurance rider that allows for the early payment of some portion of the policy's face amount should the insured suffer from a terminal illness or injury.
Accidental Death and Dismemberment
Insurance providing payment if the insured's death results from an accident, if the insured accidentally severs a limb above the wrist or ankle joints, or if the insured irreversibly loses his or her eyesight.
Insurance providing payment if the insured's death results from an accident, if the insured accidentally severs a limb above the wrist or ankle joints, or if the insured irreversibly loses his or her eyesight.
Accidental Death Benefit Rider
A life insurance policy rider providing for payment of an additional benefit related to the face amount of the base policy when death occurs by accidental means.
A life insurance policy rider providing for payment of an additional benefit related to the face amount of the base policy when death occurs by accidental means.
Annually Renewable Term
A form of renewable term insurance that provides coverage for one year and allows the policy owner to renew his or her coverage each year, without evidence of insurability. Also called Yearly Renewable Term (YRT).
A form of renewable term insurance that provides coverage for one year and allows the policy owner to renew his or her coverage each year, without evidence of insurability. Also called Yearly Renewable Term (YRT).
Beneficiary
Person to whom the proceeds of a life policy are payable when the insured dies. The various types of beneficiaries are: primary beneficiaries (those first entitled to proceeds); secondary beneficiaries (those entitled to proceeds if no primary beneficiary is living when the insured dies); and tertiary beneficiaries (those entitled to proceeds if no primary or secondary beneficiaries are alive when the insured dies).
Person to whom the proceeds of a life policy are payable when the insured dies. The various types of beneficiaries are: primary beneficiaries (those first entitled to proceeds); secondary beneficiaries (those entitled to proceeds if no primary beneficiary is living when the insured dies); and tertiary beneficiaries (those entitled to proceeds if no primary or secondary beneficiaries are alive when the insured dies).
Best's Insurance Report
A guide, published by A. M. Best, Inc., that rates insurers' financial integrity and managerial and operational strengths.
A guide, published by A. M. Best, Inc., that rates insurers' financial integrity and managerial and operational strengths.
Conditional Receipt
Given to policy owners when they pay a premium at the time of application. Interim coverage during the underwriting process is provided subject to terms and conditions of the receipt.
Given to policy owners when they pay a premium at the time of application. Interim coverage during the underwriting process is provided subject to terms and conditions of the receipt.
Contingent Beneficiary
Person or persons named to receive proceeds in case the original beneficiary is not alive. Also referred to as a secondary or tertiary beneficiary.
Person or persons named to receive proceeds in case the original beneficiary is not alive. Also referred to as a secondary or tertiary beneficiary.
Conversion Privilege
Allows the policy-owner, before an original insurance policy expires, to elect to have a new policy issued that will continue the insurance coverage. Conversion may be effected at attained age (premiums based on the age attained at time of conversion) or at original age (premiums based on age at time of original issue).
Allows the policy-owner, before an original insurance policy expires, to elect to have a new policy issued that will continue the insurance coverage. Conversion may be effected at attained age (premiums based on the age attained at time of conversion) or at original age (premiums based on age at time of original issue).
Convertible Term
Contract that may be converted to a permanent form of insurance without medical examination.
Contract that may be converted to a permanent form of insurance without medical examination.
Decreasing Term Insurance
Term insurance on which the face value slowly decreases in scheduled steps from the date the policy comes into force to the date the policy expires, while the premium remains level. The intervals between decreases are usually monthly or annually.
Term insurance on which the face value slowly decreases in scheduled steps from the date the policy comes into force to the date the policy expires, while the premium remains level. The intervals between decreases are usually monthly or annually.
Disability Income Rider
A type of health insurance coverage, it provides for the payment of regular, periodic income should the insured become disabled from illness or injury.
A type of health insurance coverage, it provides for the payment of regular, periodic income should the insured become disabled from illness or injury.
Insurance Company Ratings
There are five major insurance industry ratings services; A. M. Best, Standard & Poor's, Moody's, Fitch, and Weiss. These services provide information on insurance company financial performance, stability, claims paying ability, and more. The top ratings are: A. M. Best= A++, Standard & Poor's=AAA, Moody's=AAA, Fitch=AAA, Weiss=A+. Generally, IntelliQuote® Insurance Services, LLC recommends companies that carry at least an A+ rating from href="http://www.ambest.com/home/default.aspx">A. M. Best. Occasionally, an A- rated company may be quoted if price and company performance justifies the selection.
There are five major insurance industry ratings services; A. M. Best, Standard & Poor's, Moody's, Fitch, and Weiss. These services provide information on insurance company financial performance, stability, claims paying ability, and more. The top ratings are: A. M. Best= A++, Standard & Poor's=AAA, Moody's=AAA, Fitch=AAA, Weiss=A+. Generally, IntelliQuote® Insurance Services, LLC recommends companies that carry at least an A+ rating from href="http://www.ambest.com/home/default.aspx">A. M. Best. Occasionally, an A- rated company may be quoted if price and company performance justifies the selection.
Increasing Term Insurance
Term insurance in which the death benefit increases periodically over the policy's term. Usually purchased as a cost of living rider to a whole life policy.
Term insurance in which the death benefit increases periodically over the policy's term. Usually purchased as a cost of living rider to a whole life policy.
Level Term Insurance
Term coverage on which the face value and premiums remain unchanged from the date the policy comes into force to the date the policy expires.
Term coverage on which the face value and premiums remain unchanged from the date the policy comes into force to the date the policy expires.
Medical Examination
Typically, the medical examination is conducted by a licensed paramedical professional. The medical report is part of the application process, becomes part of the policy contract, and is attached to the policy. A "non-medical" is a short-form medical report filled out by the life insurance agent. Various company rules, such as amount of insurance applied for or already in force; applicant's age, sex, past physical history; data revealed by inspection report, etc., determine whether the application will be accepted on a "medical" or "non-medical." basis.
Typically, the medical examination is conducted by a licensed paramedical professional. The medical report is part of the application process, becomes part of the policy contract, and is attached to the policy. A "non-medical" is a short-form medical report filled out by the life insurance agent. Various company rules, such as amount of insurance applied for or already in force; applicant's age, sex, past physical history; data revealed by inspection report, etc., determine whether the application will be accepted on a "medical" or "non-medical." basis.
Other Insured Rider
A term rider covering an eligible family member or business member other than the insured that is attached to the base policy covering the insured.
A term rider covering an eligible family member or business member other than the insured that is attached to the base policy covering the insured.
Preferred Risk
A risk whose physical condition, occupation, mode of living and other characteristics indicate a prospect for longevity superior to that of the average longevity of unimpaired lives of the same age. (See Standard Risk.)
A risk whose physical condition, occupation, mode of living and other characteristics indicate a prospect for longevity superior to that of the average longevity of unimpaired lives of the same age. (See Standard Risk.)
Premium
The periodic payment required to keep and insurance policy in force.
The periodic payment required to keep and insurance policy in force.
Primary Beneficiary
The beneficiary designated by the insured as the first to receive the policy benefits.
The beneficiary designated by the insured as the first to receive the policy benefits.
Proceeds
Net amount of money payable by the company at the insured's death or at policy maturity.
Net amount of money payable by the company at the insured's death or at policy maturity.
Rider
Strictly speaking, a rider adds something to a policy. However, the term is used loosely to refer to any supplemental agreement attached to and made a part of the policy, whether the policy's conditions are expanded and additional coverage is added, or a coverage or condition is waived.
Strictly speaking, a rider adds something to a policy. However, the term is used loosely to refer to any supplemental agreement attached to and made a part of the policy, whether the policy's conditions are expanded and additional coverage is added, or a coverage or condition is waived.
Secondary Beneficiary
An alternate beneficiary designated to receive payment, usually in the event the original beneficiary predeceases the insured.
An alternate beneficiary designated to receive payment, usually in the event the original beneficiary predeceases the insured.
Smoker Ratings
Insurers will give a lower premium rate to consumers who do not smoke or use tobacco. If you have smoked in the past, most carriers will consider you a non-smoker, if you have not smoked for one year prior to applying for coverage. Consumers should be aware that nicotine can be detected in a variety of routine screenings tests that are now commonly required by most insurance companies.
Insurers will give a lower premium rate to consumers who do not smoke or use tobacco. If you have smoked in the past, most carriers will consider you a non-smoker, if you have not smoked for one year prior to applying for coverage. Consumers should be aware that nicotine can be detected in a variety of routine screenings tests that are now commonly required by most insurance companies.
Standard Risk
A person who, according to a company's underwriting standards, is entitled to insurance protection without extra rating or special restrictions.
A person who, according to a company's underwriting standards, is entitled to insurance protection without extra rating or special restrictions.
Sub-Standard Risk
A person who is considered an under-average or impaired insurance risk because of physical condition, family or personal history of disease, occupation, residence in unhealthy climate or dangerous habits.
A person who is considered an under-average or impaired insurance risk because of physical condition, family or personal history of disease, occupation, residence in unhealthy climate or dangerous habits.
Suicide Clause
Most life insurance policies provide that if the insured commits suicide within a specified period, usually two years, after the issue date, the company's liability will be limited to a return of premiums paid.
Most life insurance policies provide that if the insured commits suicide within a specified period, usually two years, after the issue date, the company's liability will be limited to a return of premiums paid.
Term Life Insurance (Term Insurance)
Protection during limited number of years; expiring without value if the insured survives the stated period, which may be one or more years but usually is five to 20 years, because such periods usually cover the needs for temporary protection.
Protection during limited number of years; expiring without value if the insured survives the stated period, which may be one or more years but usually is five to 20 years, because such periods usually cover the needs for temporary protection.
Term of Policy
Period for which the policy runs. In life insurance, this is to the end of the term period for term insurance.
Period for which the policy runs. In life insurance, this is to the end of the term period for term insurance.
Underwriter
Company receiving premiums and accepting responsibility for fulfilling the policy contract. Also, company employee who decides whether the company should assume a particular risk; or the agent who sells the policy.
Company receiving premiums and accepting responsibility for fulfilling the policy contract. Also, company employee who decides whether the company should assume a particular risk; or the agent who sells the policy.
Uninsurable Risk
Individual not acceptable for insurance due to excessive risk.
Individual not acceptable for insurance due to excessive risk.
Waiver of Premium
Rider or provision included in most life insurance policies exempting the insured from paying premiums after insured has been disabled for a specified period of time, usually six months.
Rider or provision included in most life insurance policies exempting the insured from paying premiums after insured has been disabled for a specified period of time, usually six months.
Whole Life Insurance
Whole Life Insurance is also known as Ordinary, Standard or Permanent life insurance. Unlike term insurance, whole life insurance provides insurance coverage for the lifetime of the insured. Whole life insurance policies also provide tax-deferred buildup of cash value, payable upon surrender or payment default. Generally, permanent insurance has fixed premiums and death benefits. Other types of permanent coverage, such as Graded Premium Life, Universal Life, and Variable Life, offer variable premiums and death benefits.
Whole Life Insurance is also known as Ordinary, Standard or Permanent life insurance. Unlike term insurance, whole life insurance provides insurance coverage for the lifetime of the insured. Whole life insurance policies also provide tax-deferred buildup of cash value, payable upon surrender or payment default. Generally, permanent insurance has fixed premiums and death benefits. Other types of permanent coverage, such as Graded Premium Life, Universal Life, and Variable Life, offer variable premiums and death benefits.