Massachusetts State Life Insurance Practice Exam

What is the primary benefit of a joint life insurance policy?

1. It covers only one person

2. It allows survivors to purchase an individual policy without evidence of insurability

3. It offers fixed premiums for the insured

4. It only pays benefits if both insureds die

The correct answer is: It allows survivors to purchase an individual policy without evidence of insurability

A joint life insurance policy is designed to insure two lives under a single contract, which is beneficial in various ways. One of the most significant advantages is that it allows the surviving insured to purchase an individual policy without needing to provide evidence of insurability. This is particularly advantageous during difficult times, such as the death of the first insured, as it helps the survivor avoid potential issues related to health underwriting that could otherwise result in higher premiums or denial of coverage. The other options, while they may hold some truth in broader life insurance contexts, do not capture the primary benefit of a joint life insurance policy. For instance, the idea that it covers only one person is fundamentally inaccurate, as the essence of a joint life policy is to cover two lives together. The notion of fixed premiums is typically associated with specific types of policies rather than a defining feature of joint life policies, and the assertion that benefits are only paid if both insureds die misrepresents how most joint life insurance contracts function, as they usually provide a death benefit upon the first death, not contingent on both insureds dying simultaneously.