If the policyholder of guaranteed life insurance dies before the waiting period is over, the beneficiary will not receive the death benefit. The beneficiary might be able to get all of the premiums with interest back from the insurance company.
Guaranteed life insurance waiting periods prohibit end-of–life candidates from cashing in the death benefit early. This could cause severe financial stress for most insurance companies.
So, what's there not to love? There are high costs, limited coverage, and "graded" death benefits.
Guaranteed issue insurance doesn't allow you to be turned down. It's also very convenient in comparison to other types life insurance. The application is simple and doesn't require any medical questions.
A majority of life insurance policies require medical underwriting. To assess the applicant's medical status, medical underwriting relies on the results of blood tests, exams, and pharmacy histories. A medical underwriter is an expert in interpreting health results and will approve or deny the insurance application. An underwriter will also assign a rating class to determine how much the applicant will have to pay for insurance. Underwriting for medical purposes allows consumers to choose the right premiums that best suit their needs. People who are healthy tend to pay less than those who are not.
For guaranteed issue policies, you don't need the same underwriting information. A guaranteed life policy will cost more than a policy that is medically underwritten. This is the compromise to eliminate the need for medical tests and exams.
Guaranteed issue life coverage amounts can be deficient. They are typically between $10,000 to $25,000. Guaranteed issue life insurance coverage amounts are usually low, often between $10,000 and $25,000.
Not only are the premiums higher, but your beneficiaries will not receive a total benefit until the policy has been in force (typically one to two years depending upon the life insurance company). This is often called "Graded Benefits" in the insurance sector.
Guaranteed life insurance companies use graded mortality benefits to protect themselves against purchases by severely ill persons.
Let's assume you are diagnosed with a terminal illness within the first two years of your policy. Your beneficiary might receive the premiums plus interest in this instance. Companies pay interest at a range of 10%-30%. If the death was caused by an accident, like a car collision, the policy will pay full coverage to your beneficiaries, even though you bought it recenty.