Life insurance: 15 useful definitions

1. Insurability

Insurability refers to the criteria that you must meet in order to be insurable, or in other words, be eligible for life insurance coverage. These criteria may be related to your state of health or your age. When you apply for life insurance, your insurance company will ask you to provide certain information for verifying if you meet the insurability conditions.

2. Life insurance

Life insurance is a contract according to which an insurance company agrees to pay an amount of money (the benefit) to a specific person (the beneficiary) when the insured person dies. Therefore, when you die, your life insurance will enable your loved ones to receive an amount of money for paying your funeral expenses or your debts, such as a mortgage.

3. Term life insurance

As the name implies, term life insurance offers limited-time coverage. It can be renewed every 10 to 35 years, depending on the contract. It can be used if an unfortunate event occurs that prevents you from fulfilling your financial obligations. In addition to being straightforward and affordable, this type of coverage can easily be combined with permanent life insurance.

4. Permanent life insurance

This coverage is advantageous since it is valid for your whole life. A fixed rate is set when you purchase the product. This type of contract normally provides more protection and you don’t need to renew it.

5. Insurer

This is the company from which you purchase your insurance contract and which will pay your loved ones a benefit in the event of your death.

6. Rider

This is additional coverage that can be added to your life insurance contract on an optional basis. For example, you can add a rider that provides benefits if you become disabled.

7. Beneficiary

This is the person designated to receive the benefit provided by the life insurance contract when the insured person dies. There are two types of beneficiaries: Revocable and irrevocable beneficiaries.

8. Revocable beneficiary

his type of beneficiary can be removed from the contract or replaced at any time by the policyholder without the beneficiary's consent.

9. Irrevocable beneficiary

Once designated, this type of beneficiary cannot be removed from the contract or replaced, unless that person consents in writing.

10. Pre-existing condition

This term refers to any known health issues of a person who wishes to purchase life insurance. For example, if you have had a heart problem since you were a teen, it is possible some insurance policies may not cover you. Find out from your insurance company if you are eligible, depending on your situation.

11. Elimination period

The elimination period is the waiting period from the onset of disability to the date you begin receiving benefits. The length of the period is specified in your insurance contract and can be from 30 to 120 days.

12. Insured person(s)

The persons whose lives are insured under the life insurance contract.

13. Policyholder

The person who signed the contract when the insurance was purchased. If you purchase life insurance for yourself, you are both the policyholder and the insured person. However, if you pay for insurance that covers the life of one of your children, you are the policyholder and your child is the insured person.

14. Premium

The amount that must be paid to the insurance company in exchange for coverage for the term of your contract.

15. Surrender value

A surrender value clause may be included in various life insurance contracts. It is often part of permanent life insurance contracts. In the event the insurance is surrendered, in whole or in part, before maturity, the surrender value is reimbursed to you according to the values set out in the contract. Note that you may have to pay tax on this amount if it results in any policy gains.

Better understanding the terms and conditions of your life insurance allows you to make choices best suited to your situation. Keep this lexicon handy when you next meet your financial security advisor! For more information, contact one of our advisors. We're here to help.