A life insurance policy provides a financial safety net that could replace your wages or be used to pay off mortgages or college costs for your kids. In general, if you pass away due to natural causes, illness, or an accident, your beneficiaries will get the life insurance payout. However, there are certain types of deaths and situations where your beneficiaries may not receive the death benefit. Here’s a rundown of what life insurance policies generally don’t cover:
| Type of Death | Coverage |
|---|---|
| Engaging in illegal activities or committing a crime | Not Covered |
| Participating in risky activities without disclosing them to the insurer | May not be covered or may have higher premiums |
| Death due to suicide within the policy’s first two years | Not Covered, premiums refunded |
| Beneficiary is involved in the policyholder’s murder | Not Covered |
| Policyholder lied on the application about their health or exposure to illness | Not Covered |
| Death occurs after the policy lapses or expires | Not Covered |
| Death occurs during the contestability period (typically the first two years of the policy) due to a material misrepresentation on the insurance application | May not be covered |
| Death due to a drug overdose during the suicide clause period | May not be covered |
| No designated beneficiaries or beneficiaries died before the policyholder | Death benefit goes to the estate and not necessarily to loved ones |
It’s important to read your policy’s fine print to understand what is covered and what is not. If you engage in risky activities, be sure to disclose them during the application process to avoid having your policy canceled or your death benefit withheld. Remember that life insurance policies are contracts, and it’s crucial to be truthful and accurate in your application to ensure that your beneficiaries will receive the death benefit when you pass away.
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Article Sources
- Forbes. What Kinds Of Deaths Are Not Covered By Life Insurance?
- Thrivent Financial. Which Types Of Death Are Not Covered By Life Insurance?
- International Student Insurance. What Types Of Death Are Not Covered By Life Insurance?
- Bankrate. What Types Of Death Are Covered By Life Insurance? (2023)
- Aflac. What Are Life Insurance Exclusions?