Finance
Fact-checked

At WiseGEEK, we're committed to delivering accurate, trustworthy information. Our expert-authored content is rigorously fact-checked and sourced from credible authorities. Discover how we uphold the highest standards in providing you with reliable knowledge.

Learn more...

What is Adjustable Life Insurance?

Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

Adjustable life insurance is an insurance option that makes it simple for policy holders to change the amount and scope of coverage offered by the policy, while also modifying the monthly premium. Generally, life insurance of this type allows adjustments in premiums, the period of protection, and the face amount associated with the policy. In some instances, the policy may also allow the policyholder to change the payment terms of the premium, such as moving from a monthly payment to a quarterly payment.

It is important to note that most adjustable life insurance policies make it possible to decrease or increase the benefits associated with them. This can be very helpful for someone who is unemployed for an extended period of time and has to watch all expenses. Rather than having to abandon the coverage, the policyholder opts for a lower schedule of benefits and gets a lower premium that is more manageable. At a later date when financial circumstances improve, the policyholder can change the terms of the policy again to restore the previous level of coverage.

Most adjustable life insurance policies make it possible to decrease or increase the benefits associated with them.
Most adjustable life insurance policies make it possible to decrease or increase the benefits associated with them.

While this type does share some characteristics with variable life insurance, the two are not identical. Variable life insurance allows the amount of the death benefit to fluctuate based on the performance of the investments that underwrite the coverage. By contrast, adjustable life insurance does not include a floating death benefit; instead, the amount of the death benefit is fixed according to the terms and conditions of the policy.

An adjustment life insurance policy allows the policyholder to adjust the the protection period and face amount associated with the policy.
An adjustment life insurance policy allows the policyholder to adjust the the protection period and face amount associated with the policy.

In terms of quality, adjustable life provides benefits that are comparable to other forms of life insurance coverage. The plan does provide some flexibility for the policyholder to amend the coverage as his life circumstances change. For example, an adult with an adjustable policy may opt to increase the coverage after marrying or having children. By the same token, an insurance package allows an individual with a low income to purchase coverage now and then incrementally increase the benefits as the annual salary or wages increase over time.

Many insurance companies offer this type of insurance coverage along with other plans. Individuals who may be interested in this type of policy should speak with an insurance agent for more details on how their adjustable plans work and what type of flexibility is available with the plans.

Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

After many years in the teleconferencing industry, Michael decided to embrace his passion for trivia, research, and writing by becoming a full-time freelance writer. Since then, he has contributed articles to a variety of print and online publications, including WiseGEEK, and his work has also appeared in poetry collections, devotional anthologies, and several newspapers. Malcolm’s other interests include collecting vinyl records, minor league baseball, and cycling.

Learn more...
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

After many years in the teleconferencing industry, Michael decided to embrace his passion for trivia, research, and writing by becoming a full-time freelance writer. Since then, he has contributed articles to a variety of print and online publications, including WiseGEEK, and his work has also appeared in poetry collections, devotional anthologies, and several newspapers. Malcolm’s other interests include collecting vinyl records, minor league baseball, and cycling.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon983851

Can you borrow against an adjustable life policy?

Animandel

@mobilian33 - I feel for your friend. Variable insurance policies are always a bit of a gamble. You just hope you come out on the positive side, but in my opinion they create more stress than they are worth even if your payoff does turn out to be larger than it would have been with a simple adjustable life insurance policy.

mobilian33

My friend took out a variable adjustable life insurance policy on her husband. Her husband was the sole income earner in the family. My friend worked at home taking care of the kids and the house. Her husband wasn't in good health because he didn't take care of himself, and my friend knew that if anything happened to him the family would need a considerable benefit payout to survive.

She bought the variable policy and made sure the benefits were always high enough to cover the family's needs. She also kept track of how the investments that were associated with the policy were performing.

Well, to make a long story short, the recession hit right before her husband died, and the benefits the insurance company paid out were almost half of what she needed and expected.

Feryll

Up until now, I have not given much thought to life insurance. I don't think this is uncommon for people my age. I still feel like I am indestructible. However, now that my girlfriend and I have bought a house together and we have a mortgage, and we are talking about marriage and kids in the future, having life insurance is a necessity.

I still feel indestructible, but if something happened to me then I want to know that she and my family are taken care of. Adjustable life insurance sounds like the best option for us because right now we are not making a lot of money and we don't need as much coverage as we will in the future. Once our salaries increase and we have kids we can raise the benefits to suit our needs.

Post your comments
Login:
Forgot password?
Register:
    • Most adjustable life insurance policies make it possible to decrease or increase the benefits associated with them.
      By: pixelrobot
      Most adjustable life insurance policies make it possible to decrease or increase the benefits associated with them.
    • An adjustment life insurance policy allows the policyholder to adjust the the protection period and face amount associated with the policy.
      By: edbockstock
      An adjustment life insurance policy allows the policyholder to adjust the the protection period and face amount associated with the policy.