The Automatic Premium Loan provision is a feature commonly found in life insurance policies that allows the policy to continue in force even if the policyholder misses premium payments. This provision uses the policy’s cash value to automatically pay the premiums due, preventing the policy from lapsing.

However, not all types of life insurance policies have this provision. In this response, I will explain why the answer, “Decreasing Term,” is correct, and why the other options (“Modified Whole Life,” “20-Pay Life,” and “Endowment”) may have the Automatic Premium Loan provision:

Decreasing Term – Correct Answer

Decreasing Term life insurance is designed to provide coverage for a specified term, but the face amount of the policy decreases over time.

This type of policy is typically used to cover a specific financial obligation, such as a mortgage, where the insured’s debt decreases as they pay it off. Decreasing Term policies do not have a cash value component, as they are purely designed to provide a death benefit.

The Automatic Premium Loan provision relies on the cash value of a policy to pay the premiums when the policyholder misses a payment. Since Decreasing Term policies lack a cash value component, they cannot have this provision.

The absence of cash value makes it impossible for the policy to automatically loan funds to cover premiums. Instead, if premium payments are missed in a Decreasing Term policy, it typically results in a policy lapse, as there are no available cash values to draw from.

Now, let’s discuss the other options and why they may have the Automatic Premium Loan provision:

Modified Whole Life – May Have Automatic Premium Loan

Modified Whole Life insurance is a type of permanent life insurance policy that provides coverage for the entire lifetime of the insured. These policies have a cash value component that accumulates over time.

Due to the presence of cash value, Modified Whole Life policies can have the Automatic Premium Loan provision. If the policyholder misses premium payments, the policy’s cash value can be used to automatically pay the premiums to keep the policy in force. This provision helps prevent policy lapses.

20-Pay Life – May Have Automatic Premium Loan

20-Pay Life insurance is another form of permanent life insurance that provides coverage for the insured’s lifetime. These policies have a specific premium payment term, typically 20 years, after which the policy is considered paid up. They also accumulate cash value over time.

As a result, 20-Pay Life policies may have the Automatic Premium Loan provision. The cash value can be used to cover premium payments if the policyholder misses them, preventing a policy lapse.

Endowment – May Have Automatic Premium Loan

Endowment policies are typically structured to provide a death benefit or a lump-sum payment (endowment) at a specific maturity date. These policies often have a savings or investment component, which accumulates cash value.

This cash value allows Endowment policies to potentially have the Automatic Premium Loan provision. If premium payments are missed, the cash value can be used to cover them, ensuring the policy remains in force.

In summary, the correct answer is “Decreasing Term” because these policies lack a cash value component and, as a result, cannot have the Automatic Premium Loan provision.

On the other hand, “Modified Whole Life,” “20-Pay Life,” and “Endowment” policies typically do have the Automatic Premium Loan provision due to the presence of cash value that can be used to cover missed premium payments, preventing policy lapses.

The provision is a valuable feature in permanent life insurance policies that helps maintain coverage even when premium payments are not made on time.