Can a minor get a life insurance policy?

Asked by: Prof. Lloyd Vandervort  |  Last update: October 15, 2025
Score: 5/5 (74 votes)

Child life insurance is whole life insurance that's specifically for a minor. Its premiums are lower than premiums for a comparable adult policy. The policy is generally owned by the purchasing adult until the child reaches the age of majority as defined by state law.

Can you put life insurance on a minor?

The minimum age for life insurance ranges from 0-14 days, meaning you can take out life insurance for your baby, child, or teen. Typically, no medical exam is needed to qualify for coverage, so you can easily enroll them whenever the timing is best, but enrolling them at a younger age may result in a lower premium.

What is the youngest age to get whole life insurance?

Children's Whole Life Insurance
  • Simplified underwriting (only three health questions)
  • Eligible ages: 14 days – 17 years old.
  • Benefit amounts: $5,000 - $50,000.

What is the lowest age for life insurance?

There are both minimum and maximum age requirements that potential policyholders must meet. The minimum age limit for term life insurance is 18 years. On the other hand, the upper age limit for obtaining a term insurance plan is set at 65 years.

Can I put my minor child as a beneficiary?

You can establish a life insurance trust for the benefit of a minor child. In this scenario, you choose the trustee — a trusted relative, partner, friend, legal representative, or other adult — and set the terms for managing the funds on behalf of your child until they turn 18 or 21, depending on your state.

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What happens to a child's life insurance policy when they turn 18?

Once your child becomes an adult, you can transfer the policy to them. Adult children may be able to maintain these policies until the child is between the ages of 18-25. After that, they can turn their policy into an individual whole life insurance policy.

Can a minor inherit a 401k?

If you are married, your spouse is assumed to be your beneficiary. You will need their permission to designate a different primary beneficiary. If you have minor children, they can't inherit your 401(k) directly, so you may need to establish a trust.

What life insurance has no age limit?

Whole life policies are a form of permanent life insurance and they typically have no age limit. However, depending on the insurer, age limits can vary from around 80 to 85.

Is there an age limit for life insurance beneficiary?

Children under age 18 can be named as a primary or contingent beneficiary. However, if you were to die while they are still minors, the proceeds may be sent in their name to the legal guardian of the minor child's estate. Another common solution to make accommodations for children is through the creation of a trust.

What is the cheapest age to buy life insurance?

Apply early: The cost of a term life insurance policy is typically higher for someone who applies in their 40s or 50s, compared to someone who takes out a policy in their 20s or 30s. Learn more about when to get life insurance.

Can I cash out my child's life insurance policy?

Unlike with term life insurance coverage, whole life insurance for children accrues a cash value as you continue to pay the premiums. This cash value can be borrowed against or, upon adulthood, be received as a lump sum upon surrender of the life insurance policy.

Which life insurance is best for a child?

Best life insurance for children
  • Best for standalone policy: Mutual of Omaha.
  • Best for high coverage limits: American Family.
  • Best for babies: Gerber Life Grow Up® Plan.
  • Best for whole life coverage: Foresters Financial.
  • Best for children's term rider: State Farm.
  • Best for term life insurance: Aflac.

Why is it unwise to buy life insurance for a child?

The death benefits on children's life insurance policies are typically smaller than adult policies; they may be insufficient to cover the child later in life. While whole life policies have a cash value component that can grow, it's typically not the most advantageous investment option.

What is not a reason to purchase life insurance on a minor?

The correct answer is option (a). The option that is NOT a reason for purchasing life insurance on the life of a minor is if both parents were to die, it would provide death benefits to the child.

What is a juvenile life insurance policy?

Juvenile life insurance is permanent life insurance that insures the life of a child (generally under age 18). It is a financial planning tool that provides a tax advantaged savings vehicle with potential for a lifetime of benefits.

Can minors get their own insurance?

In California, teen drivers are automatically covered under their parent/guardian's insurance once they obtain a learner's permit, so no action is required until a teen gets a driver's license.

Who cannot be a life insurance beneficiary?

Ineligible Beneficiaries: Minors: Generally, minors (individuals under the age of 18 or 21, depending on the jurisdiction) cannot be named as direct beneficiaries of a life insurance policy. In such cases, a trust or custodian may be designated to manage the proceeds until the minor reaches the age of majority.

Who gets money if the beneficiary is deceased?

If you named more than one primary beneficiary and one of them dies, the remaining beneficiaries would be entitled to the death benefit. Typically, they'd each receive the same amount of money, but you can request a different type of distribution if you'd like.

At what age is it too late to get life insurance?

Insurers usually have an age limit of 65 or 70 for term life insurance, or 75 at the oldest. They also often limit how long of a term seniors can get. A 65-year-old may be able to get 10-year term life insurance, but not a 30-year policy. There's too much risk of the policyholder dying during the latter.

Who can be denied life insurance?

They can include engaging in risky hobbies and behaviors like skydiving; having a history of DUIs or speeding tickets; having a dangerous job like roofing; having a criminal record or a less than ideal financial history; being a smoker; and failing a drug test.

What life insurance pays out immediately?

Single premium whole or universal life insurance policies are the types that generate immediate cash value. However, you can also secure immediate life insurance coverage with a no exam term or whole life insurance policy.

What is the cutoff age for life insurance?

Is There an Age Cutoff to Buy Life Insurance? Many life insurers don't issue term life insurance policies after the would-be policyholder reaches a certain age, with limits ranging from 75 to 90 years of age. If you're 55 or older, you may find it difficult to find term life policies up to 30 years or longer.

Can I name my minor child as a beneficiary?

Most life insurance policies will not allow you to directly leave money to beneficiaries who are minors. If you name a minor as a beneficiary, they will have to settle the matter in probate court. In which an adult will be delegated to manage the money until the minor is old enough to be responsible for it themselves.

How to set up a life insurance trust for a child?

Here's how it works: Create a trust agreement. This includes naming the trust's beneficiaries (such as your kids) and instructions for how your life insurance policy's death benefit should be managed or distributed after you die. Name one or more trustees.

Do I get my husband's 401k if he dies?

The Bottom Line. When a spouse dies, their assets typically transfer to their surviving spouse, as long as their surviving spouse was named as the beneficiary of the account.