How Do Life Insurance Loans Work? - Experian (2024)

Types of Life Insurance Policies You Can Borrow From

There are two main types of life insurance you can choose from: term and permanent. A term life insurance policy lasts a set number of years and has a single component—the policy's death benefit. If you die during the policy's term, which typically ranges from 10 to 30 years, your beneficiaries receive a life insurance payout. If you're still alive at the end of the term, the policy expires and you no longer have coverage.

Permanent life insurance works a little differently. It lasts your entire lifetime (as long as you pay the premium) and has two components: a death benefit and a cash account. When you pay for your policy, part of your premium is deposited into a savings account. As you continue to make payments, the cash value grows. When you have enough money in the savings account, you can take out a loan from the insurance company using the cash value of your policy as collateral.

There are two main categories of permanent life insurance you can choose from:

• Whole life: When you purchase a whole life policy, the death benefit and premium remain the same for as long as the policy is active, and the cash value grows at a guaranteed rate.
• Universal life : With universal life insurance, you may be able to increase the policy's death benefit if you meet certain conditions.

Should You Borrow Against Your Life Insurance?

Whether borrowing against your life insurance policy is the right choice depends on multiple factors, including why you need the money, how quickly you can pay it back and the interest rate the insurance company charges. Taking out a loan for discretionary purchases like a vacation is probably not a great idea.

However, if you need money to cover an emergency expense like a medical bill or car repair, it may be worth it. Regardless of why you need the money, it's important to consider the pros and cons of borrowing against your policy before taking out a life insurance loan.

Pros and Cons of Borrowing Against Your Life Insurance

There are a variety of pros and cons of taking out a loan against your life insurance.

Pros

• It's quick. Since you're essentially borrowing money from yourself, there's no approval process, making it easy to access funds.
• It won't affect your credit. Insurers don't check your credit score before issuing a loan against your policy.
• Repayment terms are flexible. Life insurance loans don't have a fixed repayment schedule like a traditional installment loan you get from a bank or credit union.
• It may be less expensive. Although the insurance company charges interest on the loan, rates are typically lower than those charged by banks and credit unions.
• There are no usage restrictions. You can use the money you borrow however you want.

Cons

• The final payout may be reduced. If you don't repay the loan with interest before you die, your beneficiaries won't receive the policy's full death benefit.
• Your policy may lapse. The outstanding loan balance will accrue interest until you repay it in full. If the amount you owe exceeds the cash value of your policy, the policy will lapse and you may find yourself without coverage.

How a Life Insurance Loan Works

Borrowing against your life insurance policy is pretty simple. Here's how it works.

1. Accrue cash value. The amount you need to save to qualify for a loan varies by insurer. If you're unsure, check with the insurance company. Because you're borrowing your own money, you don't have to complete an application, and there is no credit check.
2. Request the loan. Let your insurer know how much you want to borrow.
3. Receive the funds. The insurance company lends you the money, using the cash value of your policy as collateral. There are no restrictions on how you can use the money.

Paying Back a Life Insurance Loan

While a life insurance loan can be helpful in a pinch, it's important to make a plan to pay back the amount you borrow in addition to keeping up with your premium payments.

Life insurance loans don't have a set repayment schedule. However, it's best to repay the loan as soon as possible because the outstanding balance will accrue interest until you pay it off.

If the loan balance exceeds the remaining cash value of the policy, your policy can lapse and you won't have coverage. Additionally, if you don't repay the full amount before you die, the insurance company will deduct the outstanding balance from the death benefit your beneficiaries receive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Before taking out a life insurance loan, it's important to understand how they work. Here are answers to some commonly asked questions.

• Insurance companies typically allow loans of up to 90% of the policy's cash value, but limits vary by insurer. Your policy must also meet the minimum cash value set by the insurance company before you can take out a loan.

• It depends, but it typically takes several years after buying a policy. The value of your cash account must meet the minimum dollar amount the insurance company establishes to qualify for a loan. Minimum values vary by company.

• No. Term life insurance policies don't have a cash value account you can borrow against. They only have a death benefit.

Is a Life Insurance Loan Right for You?

Borrowing against the cash value of a permanent life insurance policy can be a good choice if you're in a pinch and need cash fast. However, it's important to understand how life insurance loans work as well as the risks and benefits before borrowing. Without a plan to repay the loan, your beneficiaries could receive a reduced death benefit and your policy may lapse. Depending on what you need the money for, it may be best to save up or consider another type of loan, such as a personal loan or home equity loan.