Can I use my life insurance as collateral for a home loan?

Asked by: Prof. Brandon Hyatt  |  Last update: April 28, 2025
Score: 4.4/5 (55 votes)

Life insurance can be used to buy a house. You can use your policy as collateral for a mortgage loan. If your policy has cash value, you could also take the money out for your home purchase. These financial strategies aren't just limited to buying a house.

Can I use my life insurance to pay my mortgage?

Whole life insurance and term life insurance can all provide a means of paying off your mortgage. With each type of insurance, you pay regular premiums to keep the coverage in force.

What is the cash value of a $10,000 life insurance policy?

Say, for example, that you purchase an insurance policy with a face value of $10,000. Once the policy matures, the cash value of the policy should equal $10,000.

What type of life insurance policy can you take a loan against?

Life insurance loans are only available on permanent life insurance policies — such as whole life and universal life — that have a cash value component. You likely can't borrow against a term life insurance policy since it probably doesn't have cash value.

How much money can I borrow from my life insurance?

You typically can't borrow more than 90% of your policy's current cash value. You typically must pay interest when paying back the loan. Repayment isn't required, but outstanding loan balances are subtracted from the death benefit payout, and may cause the policy to lapse with certain types of policies.

How to Use Term Life Insurance As Collateral for a Loan

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How long does it take to build cash value on life insurance?

How fast does cash value build in life insurance? Most permanent life insurance policies begin to accrue cash value in 2 to 5 years. However, it can take decades to see significant cash value accumulation. Consult a licensed insurance agent to understand the policy's cash value projections before applying.

Can you use life insurance to pay off debt?

Because the policy's cash value acts as the loan's collateral, policyowners can only borrow from life insurance to pay off debt when their policies accrue money. Only policyowners with permanent life insurance policies, such as whole and universal life insurance, are eligible for this type of loan.

How to use life insurance as collateral for a loan?

Once your policy has been approved, ask your insurance company or agent for a collateral assignment form, which you will complete and submit with your loan application papers. The form names your lender as an assignee of the policy—meaning that they have a stake in its benefits for as long as the loan exists.

How long do you have to have life insurance before you can borrow against it?

Once you've built up enough cash value to cover your desired loan amount, you can borrow money from your life insurance policy. The amount of time it will take to accumulate the funds depends on your policy's structure, but it may take a few years to build up enough cash value to take out a policy loan.

How to use life insurance to build wealth?

4 ways to use whole life insurance as an investment
  1. Withdraw or take a loan on the cash value. ...
  2. Create generational wealth. ...
  3. Collect dividends. ...
  4. Surrender the policy (but only if you no longer need it)

How much tax will I pay if I cash out my life insurance?

Is life insurance cash value taxable? Fortunately, the cash value of life insurance grows tax-free. This means that, in many cases, you won't have to worry about paying taxes on it.

Can nursing homes take your life insurance from your beneficiary?

A nursing home cannot take your life insurance policy if you have one or more named beneficiaries. If you pass away, the nursing home that was responsible for your care cannot attempt to claim any of the death benefits from your policy as long as you named a beneficiary to receive it.

Can I take out life insurance to buy a house?

By putting up your life insurance, you could improve your chances of qualifying for a mortgage and at a lower interest rate. If your life insurance policy has cash value, you could take that money out through a loan or withdrawal and put it toward your home purchase.

What happens to a mortgage when someone dies?

Mortgage debt does not vanish when a homeowner dies — their liabilities, including any mortgage debt, are entered into an estate.

What is life insurance on a mortgage called?

Mortgage life insurance, also called mortgage protection insurance (MPI) or mortgage protection life insurance, is a type of credit life insurance that covers your mortgage if you die before paying off your home loan. Mortgage protection life insurance protects your mortgage lender and can offer peace of mind.

What kind of life insurance can you borrow against?

You can borrow from permanent life insurance policies that build cash value. These would typically include whole life and universal life (UL) policies. You cannot borrow against a term policy since there is no cash value associated with it.

How long do you have to pay life insurance before it pays out?

If you die after two years of buying the policy, the company must pay the death benefit. They can't deny the payment unless you don't pay your premium, made a false statement, or withheld information.

How do I know if my life insurance has cash value?

You can usually see the cash value of your life insurance policy, together with your surrender cash value, on your statement. The two might be different if the insurance company charges a surrender fee on the policy.

Can I take money out of my life insurance as a loan?

Yes, you can borrow against your life insurance policy — but only if it has a cash value component. Think of it as giving yourself a loan from the value you've built up over time. However, don't expect instant access to those funds.

What cannot be used as collateral for a loan?

Non-Transferable Assets: Assets that are legally restricted from being transferred, such as government benefits, social security payments, or certain insurance policies, cannot be used as collateral since they cannot be seized or sold.

Can I use my life cover as collateral?

Having a life cover can protect you and your loved ones from financial loss. It can also be used as collateral against a loan. While having a life cover can position you better with lenders, there are a couple of things that you need to consider before you cede your policy to cover a loan.

Can I use my life insurance to pay off my house?

A life insurance policy can help pay off your home's mortgage if you were to pass away. It's one of many ways that life insurance may help protect your loved ones and their financial future. One of the best ways to factor your mortgage into your life insurance need is to talk with your insurance agent.

Can I use my life insurance money while alive?

If you're in a permanent life insurance policy, then you're able to withdraw cash while you're alive through loans, withdrawals, or surrendering the policy.

Can debt collectors come after life insurance money?

A proper life insurance in place can help your loved ones with debt in several ways. In most cases, the death benefit goes directly to your beneficiaries and not your estate. That means a creditor cannot make a claim against it. This holds true for a small final expense policy or a whole life policy.