Free PSI Insurance Exam Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the main benefit of having an existing policy reinstated as opposed to getting a new one? 1. No evidence of insurability is necessary 2. Using original insured issue age 3. No registration is necessary 4. Unpaid loans are forgiven
- First issuance insurance Use of age (Correct answer)
- Creating a trust to manage the proceeds
- Health-related insurance
- Fraudulent misstatements
Correct answer: First issuance insurance Use of age
The main benefit of reinstating an existing life insurance policy, as opposed to getting a new one, is often the use of the original insured issue age. Premiums are typically based on the insured's age when the policy was first issued, so reinstating can result in lower premiums than a new policy at a current, older age. Additionally, it may avoid the need for new evidence of insurability if done within a specific timeframe.
Question 2: Which of the following applies most frequently to term life insurance?
- It serves as insurance for mortgage credit.
- Over time, the fee goes up.
- It starts with little to no insurance coverage. (Correct answer)
- Over time, insurance coverage gets less and less.
Correct answer: It starts with little to no insurance coverage.
The statement 'It starts with little to no insurance coverage' is generally incorrect for term life insurance, as term policies provide a specific death benefit from the policy's inception. However, if 'insurance coverage' is interpreted as 'cash value,' then term life insurance indeed has no cash value component, unlike permanent life insurance. This lack of cash value accumulation is a defining characteristic of term life, which focuses solely on providing a death benefit for a specified period.
Question 3: Which of the following is taken into account when courts examine a contract to ascertain the parties' intentions? 1. the whole contract; 2. the pertinent sections of the deal; 3. any additions to the main contract; and 4. any words with unclear definitions
- The entire contract (Correct answer)
- The underwriting process begins
- Any exclusions
- Reinstatement.
Correct answer: The entire contract
When courts examine a contract to ascertain the parties' intentions, they typically consider the entire contract, often referred to as the 'four corners' doctrine. This means all clauses, provisions, and any attached riders or amendments are viewed holistically to understand the full context and meaning of the agreement. This approach prevents misinterpretations based on isolated phrases and ensures the contract is treated as a unified document.
Question 4: Which key distinction between individual and group health insurance exists?
- Evidence of insurability is necessary for individual insurance (Correct answer)
- Evidence of insurability is required for group insurance
- A lower unfavorable selection rate is typical for group insurance
- An eligibility term is part of individual insurance
Correct answer: Evidence of insurability is necessary for individual insurance
A key distinction between individual and group health insurance is the requirement for evidence of insurability. For individual health insurance, applicants typically undergo medical underwriting, where they must provide evidence of their health status to the insurer. In contrast, group health insurance usually does not require individual members to prove insurability, as the risk is spread across the entire group, making it accessible even to those with pre-existing conditions.
Question 5: Which of the following requires a covered employee to consent to a pay cut so that the money can be used to pay for medical costs?
- Flexible Spending Account (FSA) (Correct answer)
- Consumer Driven Health Plan (CDHP)
- Healthcare Savings Account (HSA)
- Health Reimbursement Account (HRA)
Correct answer: Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
A Flexible Spending Account (FSA) requires a covered employee to consent to a pay cut so that the money can be used to pay for medical costs. Employees contribute pre-tax dollars from their salary into the FSA, which can then be used for qualified healthcare expenses. This arrangement provides tax advantages by reducing the employee's taxable income.
Question 6: Which of the following statements about irrevocable beneficiaries' assignment rights is TRUE?
- Based on the expected proceeds, they have a higher chance of getting a loan. After a life-changing event, they can be altered without the beneficiary's permission. (Correct answer)
- Based on the anticipated proceeds, they have a LESS probable chance of being approved for a loan.
- When the policyholder doesn't pay, they are in charge of paying the premium.
Correct answer: Based on the expected proceeds, they have a higher chance of getting a loan. After a life-changing event, they can be altered without the beneficiary's permission.
The statement provided as correct for irrevocable beneficiaries contains a contradiction. While an irrevocable beneficiary has a vested interest in the policy, which might be considered by some lenders if the beneficiary is seeking a loan and can somehow assign their interest (though this is complex and usually requires the policy owner's consent), the claim that 'they can be altered without the beneficiary's permission' is fundamentally incorrect. An irrevocable beneficiary's designation cannot be changed, nor can policy rights be assigned or loans taken against the policy, without their explicit written consent.
Question 7: Which of the following in a disability income policy may be viewed as a time deduction rather than a money deduction because benefits are not payable during that time? 1. The phase of eviction 2. The trial period 3. The benefit time frame 4. The grace interval
- Representations
- Elimination period (Correct answer)
- Plan does not comply with federal tax benefit requirements.
- State law
Correct answer: Elimination period
In a disability income policy, the elimination period is the time deduction during which benefits are not payable, even after a disability has been established. This period acts like a deductible, where the insured must wait a specified number of days before benefit payments begin. A longer elimination period typically results in lower premiums, as the insurer pays out for a shorter duration.
Question 8: There is an annual dollar limit for tax deductions on a long-term care policy for an individual. This limit is based on which of the following?
- cost of care
- age (Correct answer)
- premium cost
- policy value
Correct answer: age
The annual dollar limit for tax deductions on long-term care insurance premiums is based on the insured individual's age. The IRS sets specific limits that increase with the policyholder's age, allowing older individuals to deduct a larger amount of their premiums. This provides a tax incentive for people to plan for their long-term care needs as they age.
Question 9: Which three permanent individual life insurance types are most common?
- Universal Life, AD&D, Term Life
- Group Life, Whole Life, Variable Life
- Variable Life, Whole Life, Universal Life (Correct answer)
- Whole Life, Incidental Life, Term Life
Correct answer: Variable Life, Whole Life, Universal Life
The three most common types of permanent individual life insurance are Whole Life, Universal Life, and Variable Life. Whole Life offers guaranteed premiums, death benefits, and cash value growth. Universal Life provides more flexibility in premium payments and death benefits. Variable Life allows policyholders to invest the cash value in various sub-accounts, offering potential for higher returns but also greater risk.
Question 10: Which clause in an insurance policy offers the assurance that losses covered by the policy will be paid in exchange for the insured's premium and adherence to the terms of the policy?
- definitions
- conditions
- policy title page
- insuring clause (Correct answer)
Correct answer: insuring clause
The insuring clause is the core promise within an insurance policy. It explicitly states the insurer's commitment to pay benefits for covered losses, in exchange for the premium paid and the insured's adherence to the policy's terms. This clause defines the scope of coverage and the conditions under which the policy will provide financial protection.
Question 11: Which must a policy pass to avoid being a MEC?
- seven-pay test (Correct answer)
- five-pay test
- accelerated benefits test
- policy loan test
Correct answer: seven-pay test
To avoid being classified as a Modified Endowment Contract (MEC), a life insurance policy must pass the seven-pay test. This test ensures that the cumulative premiums paid into the policy within the first seven years do not exceed the net level premium required to pay up the policy in seven years. Failing this test results in the policy losing some favorable tax treatments, such as tax-free withdrawals and loans.
Question 12: Which policy provision allows the policyowner to have a certain number of days to review the contract and cancel and receive a full refund if they don't like the terms or costs?
- Grace period
- Exclusions
- Insuring Clause
- Free look (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Free look
The 'free look' provision grants the policyowner a specific period, typically 10 to 30 days, to review a newly issued insurance contract. During this time, they can decide if the policy meets their needs and, if not, return it for a full refund of all premiums paid. This provision ensures consumer protection and allows for careful consideration of the contract without immediate commitment.
Question 13: Which defense time restriction makes the policy incontestable?
- 2 years (Correct answer)
- 12 months
- 5 years
- 18 months
Correct answer: 2 years
The incontestability clause in life insurance policies states that after a policy has been in force for a specific period, usually two years, the insurer cannot dispute the validity of the policy due to misstatements or concealment in the application. This provision protects the beneficiary from claims being denied years later based on minor inaccuracies. After this two-year period, the policy becomes incontestable.
Question 14: If a firm wishes to cover its CEO's life, what form of insurance should it buy?
- industrial life insurance
- key person insurance (Correct answer)
- group life policy
Correct answer: key person insurance
Key person insurance is a type of life insurance purchased by a business on the life of an essential employee, such as a CEO. The company is both the policyowner and beneficiary, receiving the death benefit if the key person dies. This coverage helps the business mitigate financial losses and operational disruptions caused by the unexpected death of a vital individual.
Question 15: Which of the following is a fraternal benefit society?
- distributes the cost of premiums equally among its members
- has underwriting guidelines that differ from ordinary insurance companies
- has been formed for the sole purpose of obtaining insurance
- provides life insurance benefits to its members (Correct answer)
Correct answer: provides life insurance benefits to its members
A fraternal benefit society is a non-profit organization that operates for the benefit of its members, often sharing a common bond like religion or ethnicity. A key characteristic is that they provide life insurance and other benefits exclusively to their members. They are distinct from commercial insurers as they typically operate under a lodge system and have a charitable purpose.
Question 16: Which form of policy allows the policyholder to change the death benefit and is supported by equity investments?
- variable life
- regular whole life
- variable universal life (Correct answer)
- term life
Correct answer: variable universal life
Variable universal life (VUL) insurance is a flexible policy that allows the policyholder to adjust both the death benefit and premium payments. A distinguishing feature is that its cash value is invested in a separate account, offering a choice of sub-accounts similar to mutual funds, which are supported by equity investments. This provides potential for higher returns but also carries investment risk.
What is the main benefit of having an existing policy reinstated as opposed to getting a new one? 1.
No evidence of insurability is necessary 2.
Using original insured issue age 3.
No registration is necessary 4.
Unpaid loans are forgiven