What is the interest rate on a loan from whole life insurance?

Asked by: Carlee Miller  |  Last update: June 13, 2025
Score: 4.4/5 (51 votes)

Life insurance collateral loans typically have lower interest rates than you would get with a personal loan or credit card. While rates vary, they typically fall within the range of 6% to 8%, depending on the insurance company and your policy. Your cash value continues to earn interest during the loan.

What is the interest rate on a whole life insurance policy loan?

According to MarketWatch, interest rates on a life insurance loan typically range from 5% to 8%, much lower than the average rate for personal loans and credit cards.

Is it a good idea to borrow against your life insurance?

Borrowing against your life insurance can be risky. While it gives you quick access to cash, you're essentially borrowing from your future death benefit. If you don't pay back the loan with interest, it could reduce the payout your loved ones receive when you pass away.

What is the interest rate on a loan against a life insurance policy?

Borrowers who have paid more premiums towards their insurance plan can get the loan at a lower rate compared to customers who have paid a lesser number of premiums. Generally, the interest rate on this type of loan ranges between 10-15% p.a.

What is the biggest weakness of whole life insurance?

Lack of flexibility

Whole life insurance policies have limited flexibility compared to other life insurance products . Death benefit amounts and premiums can't be changed, so it's crucial to carefully review the terms and conditions before finalizing a whole life insurance contract.

When Can You Borrow Against Your Life Insurance Policy?

15 related questions found

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

A whole life insurance policy will begin building cash value as soon as you pay your first premium, and it will continue building throughout the life of the policy as long as there are funds in the account.

Which life insurance company denies the most claims?

Top 8 Worst Insurance Companies
  1. Allstate. We know you have seen the ads. ...
  2. Unum. Unum is a leading disability insurance provider in the United States has a reputation for denied and delayed insurance claims – even when claims include their own employees. ...
  3. State Farm. ...
  4. AIG. ...
  5. Anthem. ...
  6. Farmers Insurance Group. ...
  7. UnitedHealth. ...
  8. USAA.

What is the maximum fixed interest rate for a policy loan?

A maximum interest rate of not more than eight per cent a year. 2. An adjustable maximum interest rate established by the life insurer as provided by this section.

Which life insurance is best for borrowing money?

Which Types of Life Insurance Policies 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.

What is the interest rate on the Max Life loan?

In case you have availed a loan under your policy, at any time thereafter, should the loan together with interest (currently 9.9% p.a. compounded annually) thereon exceed the surrender value, the policy shall terminate.

How soon can I borrow against my whole life insurance?

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.

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.

At what point should you stop buying life insurance?

You may not need life insurance in retirement if you're debt-free, have prepaid your final expenses, and don't want to leave a larger inheritance. If you own cash-value life insurance, consider any tax consequences before canceling the policy.

What happens when I borrow against my whole life and don't pay it back?

If you don't pay back a life insurance loan and the combined loan and interest exceed the death benefit amount, it could cause the policy to lapse without any payout to beneficiaries.

How much is $100,000 whole life insurance policy?

What is the average cost of whole life insurance per month? Quote costs vary widely depending on the coverage amount and applicant's age, medical status, and other terms and factors. A recent survey found that a 20-year-old female could pay about $55/month for $100,000 of whole life coverage7.

Is whole life insurance loan interest tax deductible?

The interest that accrues from interest on a life insurance loan is not tax deductible. There may be an opportunity to loan your business money and have the business write off the interest on the loan but that is a question for a tax attorney and beyond the scope of this article.

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)

Which of the following is not guaranteed in a whole life policy?

Dividends are not guaranteed. Indeterminate Premium Whole Life: An indeterminate premium whole life policy is like a non-participating whole life plan of insurance except that it provides for adjustable premiums.

Who gets the interest on a life insurance loan?

While the insurance company will charge you interest on policy loans, you'll continue to receive dividends or interest on the amount of money you borrowed — though at a lower rate than on non-borrowed funds.

What interest rate is too high for a loan?

Avoid loans with APRs higher than 10% (if possible)

"That is, effectively, borrowing money at a lower rate than you're able to make on that money."

What is the highest interest rate allowed on a loan?

However, the rate for consumer loans is capped at 12 percent unless they are “supervised loans,” which includes credit card debt, made by a “supervised lender.” These loans are capped at 36 percent.

Can you be denied whole life insurance?

Unfortunately, this can happen for a number of reasons, including your health, financial history, or driving record, to name a few. Not to fret — it's not necessarily the end of the road. There are a number of steps you can take if you've been denied life insurance coverage.

What life insurance won't pay out on?

Life insurance may not pay out if the policy expires, premiums aren't paid, or there are false statements on the application. Other reasons include death from illegal activities, suicide, or homicide, with insurers investigating claims thoroughly.