Life insurance is a financial safety net for your loved ones in the event of your passing. However, life insurance policies can also be used as collateral for loans or even provide the option to borrow directly from the policy, depending on the type of insurance. This guide will explore how to apply for a loan on your Globe Life Insurance policy and the considerations to keep in mind when making this decision.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Application process | Short, no medical exam required |
Credit check | Not required |
Credit report | Does not show up on credit report |
Interest rates | Lower than other loans |
Repayment schedule | Set by the borrower |
Repayment | Optional, can deduct from beneficiary's benefit |
Cash value | Must be built up over years |
Death benefit | Reduced if loan is not repaid |
Policy | Risk losing if interest and unpaid loan amount total more than remaining cash value |
What You'll Learn
Whole life insurance as collateral
Whole life insurance is an attractive option for many consumers because it offers a cash value amount. This feature allows policyholders to use their life insurance as collateral for a loan or even take out a loan from their life insurance policy.
Here's how it works: the policyholder assigns the lender as the primary beneficiary of the death benefit. So, if the policyholder dies or defaults on the loan, the lender gets repaid from the life insurance money. Any money left over then goes to the other beneficiaries.
There are a few requirements for this type of loan to be effective:
- The borrower must be the owner or an irrevocable beneficiary of the policy.
- The policy must remain in force for the life of the loan, meaning the policyholder must continue making premium payments on time for the full length of the loan.
- The insurance company has to allow collateral assignment. Most whole life insurance policies are accepted for loans, but not all companies permit their policies to be used as collateral. Term life policies are often not accepted because they do not accrue cash value, and repayment terms may not match the lifespan of the policy.
- To protect the collateral of the loan, the policyholder may lose access to the cash value. However, if the loan is repaid before the policyholder's death, the assignment is removed, and the beneficiary reverts to the person chosen by the policyholder, not the lender.
- You must inform your insurance company of the collateral assignment, but they won't play a part in the agreement beyond meeting the terms of the contract.
Collateral assignment of life insurance is a common requirement for business loans. It allows you to specify the amount of your death benefit that your lender receives if you pass away during the loan term. It's a worthwhile alternative to using your house, car, or other assets as collateral.
Applying for a Loan with Whole Life Insurance as Collateral
If you want to use your whole life insurance policy as collateral for a loan, there are a few steps you need to follow:
- Find a lender willing to use life insurance as collateral for the amount you want to borrow.
- Check the lender's requirements and see if you can use your existing life insurance policy to meet them.
- If you can't use your current policy, purchase a new life insurance policy.
- Once your new policy is active, ask the insurer for a collateral assignment form.
- Complete the form and list your lender as the assignee.
Pros and Cons of Using Whole Life Insurance as Collateral
Using whole life insurance as collateral has its advantages and disadvantages. Here are some of the key pros:
- It enables you to secure business loans or other needed funds.
- It's less risky for a family than using a home or other essential property as collateral.
- You can choose beneficiaries to receive any remaining death benefit funds.
However, there are also some potential drawbacks:
- The lender has the first right to the death benefit, so your family may not get the benefit you intended.
- Lapsing or cancelling the policy could violate your loan contract and cause problems with the lender.
- You're responsible for making payments until you die or the loan is paid off.
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Whole life policy loan
A whole life insurance policy is a permanent life insurance policy that accumulates a cash value over time. This cash value can be used as collateral to take out a loan.
How to Get a Whole Life Policy Loan
To get a loan on your whole life insurance policy, you must have built up sufficient cash value in your policy. This can take several years, depending on how your policy is structured. Once you have enough cash value, you can borrow against it by filling out a form and submitting it to your insurance company. The insurance company will then send you the money within a couple of days. There is no approval process or credit check, and you can use the money for any reason.
Advantages of a Whole Life Policy Loan
There are several advantages to taking out a loan on your whole life insurance policy:
- Short application process
- No credit check required
- Policy loans don't appear on your credit report
- Lower interest rates compared to other loans
- Flexible repayment schedule
- No strict repayment schedule
Disadvantages of a Whole Life Policy Loan
There are also some disadvantages and risks associated with taking out a loan on your whole life insurance policy:
- Must have cash value built up, which may take years
- Risk reducing the death benefit for your beneficiary if the loan is not repaid
- Risk losing your policy if the interest and unpaid loan amount total more than the remaining cash value
- Interest accrues on the loan, which can increase the balance over time
- If the loan balance gets too high, the insurance company may surrender or lapse your policy, resulting in negative tax consequences
Considerations for a Whole Life Policy Loan
Before taking out a loan on your whole life insurance policy, consider the following:
- How will taking out this loan impact my life insurance policy?
- Will I put my beneficiary's benefit at risk?
- Are there any other fees or costs besides interest that I need to know about?
- Create a mock budget and schedule to ensure you can repay the loan
- Treat a life insurance loan like a regular loan and give it heavy consideration and an intentional payback plan
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Cash value withdrawals
How to Withdraw Cash from Your Life Insurance Policy
To withdraw cash from your life insurance policy, simply call your insurance company to let them know how much you want to withdraw. They will then wire the cash to you or deposit it into your bank account.
Pros and Cons of Cash Withdrawals
One of the main advantages of cash-value withdrawals is that they are not taxable up to your policy basis, as long as your policy is not classified as a modified endowment contract (MEC). However, withdrawals that reduce your cash value could also cause a reduction in your death benefit, which may be greater than the amount withdrawn depending on the specific terms of your policy.
Cash-value withdrawals are not always tax-free. For example, if you make a withdrawal during the first 15 years of the policy and this withdrawal causes a reduction in the policy's death benefit, the withdrawn cash could be subject to taxation. Withdrawals are treated as taxable to the extent that they exceed your basis in the policy.
Things to Consider Before Withdrawing Cash
- How will taking out this loan impact my life insurance policy?
- Will I put my beneficiary’s death benefit at risk?
- Are there any other fees or costs I need to know about?
- Should I create a mock budget and schedule to ensure I can pay back the loan?
It is important to remember that the primary reason for a life insurance policy is to provide financial support for your beneficiaries in the event of your death. Therefore, it is recommended to treat a life insurance loan the same as taking out a loan from a bank, with due diligence and an intentional payback plan.
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Surrendering your policy
While this option can be beneficial, there are some things to watch out for. Firstly, you will be giving up your death benefit. Secondly, there may be life insurance settlements to consider. If your policy has a high cash value, this is typically the most ideal option to consider. Life insurance settlements involve selling the right to your death benefit to a third party. The third party will then take over your premium payments, as well as the ownership of your policy. The amount you will receive is then up to the third party. Before selling your policy, it is important to consider eligibility for social assistance programs, expensive fees and taxes, finding the right price, and the reduction in your family's financial security.
It is also important to remember that different types of life insurance are affected by cancellation in different ways. For term life insurance, you may be able to simply cancel the insurance by refusing to continue paying premiums, but in general, term life insurance does not offer a way to recoup premiums. The one exception is "return of premium" term life insurance. Please note that return of premium does not always cover cancellation; instead, it means that by paying slightly more than you would for normal term life insurance, you are paid out (your premiums are returned) when the term expires.
Whole life insurance, on the other hand, builds up what is called a cash value, whereby paying a higher premium each month, the policy builds value that you can borrow or withdraw funds from. Withdrawing money from your whole life insurance policy will reduce the death benefit. Borrowing against it, however, will allow you to pay back the money borrowed, restoring the death benefit. Any outstanding loan amount at the end of your life will count against the benefit, reducing the payout to your beneficiary.
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Personal loans
First, it's important to understand the different types of life insurance policies. Globe Life Insurance likely offers both term life insurance and permanent life insurance policies. Term life insurance is designed to provide coverage for a limited period, typically ranging from one to 30 years, and does not accumulate cash value. On the other hand, permanent life insurance, which includes whole life and universal life insurance, offers lifelong coverage and builds cash value over time. This cash value is a key component when considering a personal loan, as it serves as collateral for the loan.
To apply for a personal loan using your Globe Life Insurance policy as collateral, you will need to meet certain requirements. Firstly, your policy must have sufficient cash value to borrow against. The minimum amount required varies by insurer, and it may take several years for your policy to accumulate enough value. It's important to check with Globe Life Insurance to understand their specific requirements. Additionally, the policy must remain in force for the duration of the loan, which means you must continue making timely premium payments.
Another important consideration is understanding the potential risks involved. While using your life insurance policy as collateral can provide quick access to cash, failing to repay the loan can have serious consequences. If you pass away with an outstanding balance on your personal loan, the amount owed, including any interest, will be deducted from the death benefit paid to your beneficiaries. This could significantly reduce the financial support provided to your loved ones. Therefore, it is crucial to carefully evaluate your ability to repay the loan and consider seeking advice from a financial advisor.
When applying for a personal loan using your Globe Life Insurance policy as collateral, you can expect a relatively straightforward process. There is typically no approval process, credit check, or strict repayment schedule associated with these types of loans. However, it is in your best interest to repay the loan as soon as possible to minimize the interest accrued. Additionally, ensure that you continue making timely premium payments to maintain your life insurance coverage.
In summary, taking out a personal loan using your Globe Life Insurance policy as collateral can provide quick access to cash, but it's important to understand the risks and requirements involved. Make sure you have a sufficient cash value built up in your policy, continue making timely premium payments, and prioritize repaying the loan to avoid reducing the death benefit for your beneficiaries. Remember to carefully consider your options and seek professional advice if needed before making any decisions.
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Frequently asked questions
You can apply for a loan on your Globe Life Insurance by borrowing from the cash value of your policy. Most permanent life insurance policies allow you to borrow from the cash value once you have met the minimum cash value requirement.
There is usually no lengthy application process, credit check, or appearance on your credit report. Interest rates are typically lower, and you can choose your repayment schedule.
You must have cash value built up, which may take years. There is a risk of a reduced death benefit for your beneficiary if the loan is not repaid, and you may lose your policy if the interest and unpaid loan amount total more than the remaining cash value.