Indiana Life Insurance Policy Requirements

Indiana law imposes specific requirements on life insurance policies sold in the state. These requirements protect consumers and ensure policy standardization under Indiana Code Title 27.

Free Look Period

Indiana provides a 10-day free look period for life insurance policies:

During the free look period, the policyholder can:

• Review the policy
• Return it for a full refund of premiums paid
• Cancel without penalty or fees
• The period begins on the date of delivery of the policy

Exam Tip: Indiana's 10-day free look period begins on the date of policy delivery, not the application date. This is a frequently tested point.

Incontestability Clause

Indiana requires a 2-year incontestability clause in all life insurance policies:

• After 2 years from issue, the insurer cannot contest the policy based on misstatements in the application
• Exceptions: Fraud, non-payment of premiums, or violation of policy conditions
• The clause protects beneficiaries from having claims denied due to application errors

Indiana Specific Rules

• Incontestability period begins from the issue date
• If policy lapses and is reinstated, a new 2-year period may begin
• Intentional fraud may still be grounds for denial in some circumstances

Suicide Clause

Indiana limits the suicide exclusion:

• Suicide exclusion cannot exceed 2 years from policy issue
• After 2 years, death by suicide is covered as any other death
• If policy is reinstated, new 2-year period may apply
• Accidental death benefits may have separate rules

Grace Period Requirements

Indiana requires a 31-day grace period for premium payments on life insurance policies:

Key Points

• Policy remains in force during the grace period
• If death occurs during grace period, benefits are paid minus any due premium
• Policy cannot be cancelled solely for late payment during grace period
• After grace period expires, policy may lapse

Standard Policy Provisions

Indiana life insurance policies must include:

Required Provisions

Beneficiary Protections

Indiana provides beneficiary protections:

Death Benefit Protections

• Proceeds generally exempt from creditors of the insured
• Beneficiary designations must be honored as specified
• Insurers must make good-faith efforts to locate beneficiaries
• Death benefits cannot be forfeited for minor technical violations

Unclaimed Benefits

If beneficiaries cannot be found:

• Death benefits become unclaimed property
• Must be reported to the Indiana Attorney General
• Beneficiaries can claim from the state unclaimed property division

Policy Delivery Requirements

Indiana requires:

• Policy must be delivered to the policyholder
• Free look notice must be prominently displayed
• All riders and endorsements must be attached
• Premium due notices must be provided