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In its simplest terms, a life insurance policy is a contract whereby an insurer agrees to pay a sum of money to the beneficiaries named in the contract upon the death of the person who's life is insured. In that sense, it is in reality better called "death insurance", because at some point, everyone will die. In return for the agreement to pay, the person or entity that purchases the life insurance policy pays periodic premiums (sums of money) to the insurer. The premiums can be paid for various periods of time depending upon the terms of the policy. If premiums are not paid, the policy can lapse (terminate), such that upon the insured's death, nothing is payable. Again, depending upon the kind of insurance involved (term vs. whole life), the policy may become self-supporting, at least for a period of time, after premiums have been paid for a time.

In contrast, a Will is a legal document that directs the disposition of the deceased's property upon his/her death. Since the Will is written prior to death, the property that is addressed is the property that the maker then has. Under ordinary circumstances, the beneficiary(ies) of a Will do not have enforceable legal rights to that property unless the deceased still owns it as of the time of death. Therefore, the deceased, while living, can sell or otherwise transfer the property at any time prior to death. Likewise, under most circumstances, a beneficiary or other term of a Will can be changed/eliminated. This can be done either by a complete re-writing of the Will, or by the preparation and execution (formal signing) of an amendment to the original Will, which is called a Codicil.

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Q: What is the difference between a life insurance policy and a Will?
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What is the difference between term and whole life insurance if there is any?

The difference between term life insurance and whole life insurance is that a term policy covers the insured for a "term of years" whereas a whole insurance policy covers the insured for the entire life period.


What is the difference between term life versus whole life insurance?

Term life insurance is only life coverage. When the person who is insured dies, the beneficiary receives the amount of the policy. Whole life insurance is a term life policy combined with an investment. This policy builds value.


What is the difference between a graded life insurance plan and a level life insurance plan?

A graded benefit life insurance plan is offered when the customer has an extensive health issues history. The difference between the graded life insurance and the level life insurance policy is that graded plan will pay less than the face amount of the policy in the first two policy years if the insured dies before the third policy year. Usually in the first two policy years the benefit paid equals the amount of insurance premiums paid plus a %.


What is the difference between voluntary insurance?

What is the difference between voluntary life insurance and life, ad/d?


What is the difference between a term life insurance and an universal life insurance?

A term life insurance policy is a basic protection that covers expenses in case of an accidental death, it will sometimes cover debilitating injuries, but only briefly. A universal insurance policy covers a wider category and can sometimes be cashed in.


Difference between traditional life insurance and ULIP policy?

Traditional life insurance gives less return but ULIP may gives high return. Traditional life insurance has no risk factor and ULIP has risk factor.


what are the advantages of long term life insurance vs whole life insurance?

The basic difference between long term life insurance and whole life insurance is that a term policy is life coverage only and this is also considered an advantage. One can buy a long term life insurance for periods of one year to 30 years, whereas whole life insurance is a combination of a term policy with an investment component.


What is the difference between term life insurance vs whole life insurance?

A term life insurance is during the insurer's life only. When he or she is gone, then the insurance ends. The whole life insurance on the other hand has what the term life insurance covers plus more.


What is the difference between a matured and an unmatured life insurance policy?

Mature. In insurance, a policy matures when its face amount becomes payable. This could occur upon the death of the insured, or in some forms of insurance such as endowments, as of a specified date.


What is difference between insurance policy and insurance product?

An insurance policy is a legal contract between the insurer and the insured, outlining the coverage provided and terms of the agreement. An insurance product refers to the specific type of insurance being offered, such as auto, home, or life insurance. In simpler terms, a policy is the legal document you receive after purchasing an insurance product.


What is the difference between a renewable term life insurance policy and a fixed term insurance policy?

The basic difference between a renewable term insurance policy and a fixed term insurance policy is that in the former case premium is payable as per mode chosen for till particular period, whereas in fixed term insurance policy premium has been paid on single or one time basis for a fixed period. However there is no deviation from the basic principle of whole life policy wherein no amount is paid on maturity, only when any eventuality arises during the policy period, the entire sum assured amount is payable by the Insurance Company to the nominee of the deceased person.


Does a will affect life insurance proceeds?

A will does not normally change a life insurance policy. The policy is a contract between the insured to pay a beneficiary. If the policy leaves the money to the estate, the will then controls the dispensation.