Definition of "Policy loan"

Julez  Ann real estate agent

Written by

Julez Annelite badge icon

JP & Associates

Amount that the owner of a life insurance policy can borrow at interest from the insurer, up to the cash surrender value. If interest is not paid when due, it is deducted from any remaining cash value. When the cash value is exhausted, the insurance ceases. If the insured dies, any outstanding policy loan and interest due are subtracted from the death benefit. The policy owner may repay the loan in whole or in part at any time; or may continue the loan, as long as the interest plus the principal of the loan do not equal or exceed the cash value (in essence only the interest on the loan must be serviced) or until the policy matures. Insurance companies reserve the right to delay payment of a policy loan for up to six months to protect their solvency, but this has rarely been done since the Depression of the 1930s.

image of a real estate dictionary page

Have a question or comment?

We're here to help.

*** Your email address will remain confidential.
 

 

Popular Insurance Terms

Insurance for accountants covering liability lawsuits arising from their professional activities. For example, an investor bases a buying decision on the balance sheet of a company's annual ...

Entitlement of a participant in an employee benefit insurance plan to receive benefits regardless of his or her employment status. ...

Loss that is not a direct result of a peril. For example, damage to property of a business firm would be a direct loss, but the loss of business earnings because of a fire on its premises ...

Insurance facility composed of many different syndicates, each specializing in a particular risk; for example, hull risks. Lloyd's provides coverage for primary jumbo risks as well as ...

Individual or other entity who owns an insurance policy. Synonymous with policyowner. ...

Policy that pays a specified sum not related in any way to the extent of the loss. The term applies to a life insurance policy rather than to a contract of indemnity because the former does ...

U.S. government agency (formerly the Atomic Energy Commission) responsible for regulating the nuclear energy industry. The commission also provides supplemental insurance for nuclear ...

Health insurance coverage offered by some states for medical expenses and loss of income from nonoccupational disability. The merits of federal health insurance have been debated for some ...

Coverage for less than one year. Insurers generally charge higher rates for short-term policies than for longer term insurance, such as an annual policy, because of the need to recoup ...

Popular Insurance Questions