Standard Policy Provisions and Optional Riders (2024)

Incontestability

Generally, after a policy has been in force for two years, the insurance company cannot contest the validity of the policy for any reason other than failure to pay the premiums.

Misstatement Of Age Or Gender

If the applicant lists the wrong age or gender on the policy, this provision allows the insurance company to recalculate benefits and/or premiums based on the applicant’s true age or gender.

Suicide

This policy provision generally states that if a insured commits suicide within the first two years of the insurance contract, the death benefit is limited to the total premiums paid.

Grace Period

After the first premium payment, life insurance policies provide a minimum grace period of 31 days after the due date to make the next premium payment. If the premium is not paid before the grace period expires, the policy will lapse. During the grace period the policy remains in force. If the insured dies during the grace period, the insurance company may deduct any premium due from the death benefit.

Reinstatement Provision

This provision allows a policy to be reinstated if for some reason the policy has lapsed. The reinstatement is subject to the limitations and requirements spelled out in the policy. Generally, the insured must make written application for reinstatement, meet the company’s underwriting guidelines, and pay all overdue premiums (plus interest) and reinstatement fees.

Nonforfeiture Benefits

The following nonforfeiture benefits may be available if a policy lapses due to non-payment of premiums:

  • Reduced Paid-up Insurance — This option allows the insured to receive reduced paid-up life insurance coverage.
  • Extended Term — This option allows the policyowner to keep the policy in force, as term life coverage, to a specified future date. The length of the extended term benefit will depend on the amount of cash value in the policy and the age of the insured.
  • Cash Surrender — The owner may elect to take the available cash value in a lump sum.

Automatic Premium Loan

This provision requires the company to collect past due premiums by means of a policy loan. This prevents the policy from lapsing provided the available loan value is sufficient to pay the premium. In most cases the policyowner must choose to enact this provision.

Standard Policy Provisions and Optional Riders (2024)

FAQs

What is an optional policy rider? ›

A policy rider is an optional feature, typically available for an additional cost, that can enhance your policy to provide for additional risks generally associated with disability. These supplemental or optional benefits will vary company to company.

What are standard provisions in policy? ›

Some examples of standard provisions found in life insurance policies are grace period, entire contract clause, misstatement of age clause, incontestable clause, policy change clause, payer benefit clause, and more.

What are optional provisions in an insurance policy? ›

The change of occupation optional provision allows an insurance company to increase the policy premium or the amount an insured would pay for the policy if the insured changes to a more risky occupation. The insurance company would decrease the premium if the insured changed to a less risky occupation.

What is the difference between a rider and a policy? ›

Also referred to as an endorsem*nt, amendment, or “scheduling an item,” a rider means you're adding a specific item(s) to your policy. Insurance riders typically cover, at an additional cost, an item that might not be already covered on your policy or is inadequately covered.

What is an option rider? ›

A rider is an optional coverage or feature you can add to your life insurance policy, often for an additional cost. Riders can help cover life events that your standard policy does not. Riders can provide benefits for critical illness and more during your lifetime.

What does it mean to add a rider to an insurance policy? ›

A rider is an insurance policy provision that adds benefits to or amends the terms of a basic insurance policy to provide additional coverage. Riders tailor insurance coverage to meet the needs of the policyholder. Riders come at an extra cost—on top of the premiums an insured party pays.

What is an example of policy provision? ›

Waiver of premium for disability is an insurance policy provision that says a policyholder will not be required to pay premiums if seriously injured. A waiver of coinsurance clause is language in an insurance policy spelling out conditions under which policyholders do not have to pay a portion of a claim.

What is standard provision? ›

Standard Provisions mean these Standard Provisions that form a part of the Certificate of Designations relating to the Designated Preferred Stock. Based on 93 documents. 93. Standard Provisions means these Standard Provisions that form a part of the Articles of Amendment.

What is a standard policy? ›

A quick definition of standard policy:

A standard policy is a contract between an insurance company and a policyholder that outlines the terms of the insurance coverage. It can be a document that details the agreement or the agreement itself.

What do optional provisions mean? ›

Optional provisions refer to information about the entity that are not required by law to be included in the articles of organization. Added provisions should not be inconsistent with law.

What does provisions mean in policy? ›

What Does Policy Provisions Mean? Policy provisions are clauses in an insurance contract that lay out the exact conditions for which coverage is provided and for what amounts, along with exclusions and other restrictions.

What is the difference between mandatory and optional provisions? ›

What is the Difference between Mandatory and optional Provisions? Mandatory provisions will effect whether or not a claim is paid, and the Optional will effect how much a policy will pay. There are four exceptions to the latter, which appear last on the list of optional Provisions.

What is an example of a rider in insurance? ›

Some common riders availed by policyholders include an accidental death benefit, critical illness, permanent disability, etc. Based on your requirements, you can avail of one or more riders along with your basic life insurance policy.

How does riders affect your insurance policy? ›

An insurance endorsem*nt/rider is an amendment to an existing insurance contract that changes the terms of the original policy. An endorsem*nt/rider can be issued at the time of purchase, mid-term or at renewal time. Insurance premiums may be affected and adjusted as a result.

What is a common purpose of a rider added to a homeowner's policy? ›

A rider allows you to pay extra to broaden your standard coverage. Take personal property coverage, for instance. It may limit coverage for certain valuables, such as jewelry.

What is an optional insurance? ›

Optional insurance is workplace insurance coverage that can be purchased from the WSIB by people who are not automatically covered under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997, (WSIA/Act). Optional insurance was previously called personal coverage.

What is a rider option in life insurance? ›

Riders are optional, extra terms that go into effect along with your basic policy, often at an additional cost. Simply put, a rider provides additional coverage and added protection against risks. Insurance riders are effective add-ons you can choose in addition to your life insurance policy at economical rates.

What is a policy purchase option rider? ›

Key Takeaways

A guaranteed insurability rider lets you increase the coverage on your life insurance policy without taking another medical exam. It is also known as a guaranteed purchase option rider. You will usually pay higher premiums for a policy with this type of rider.

What is the optional payor benefit rider? ›

Payor Benefit Rider A rider may be added to the policy of a juvenile stating that if the payor (the one paying the premium) dies or becomes totally disabled prior to the juvenile's reaching majority, the subsequent premiums due are automatically waived.

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