In the context of life insurance and living benefits/health insurance, the “insured” refers to the individual whose life, health, or well-being is covered under the policy. This person is the focus of the insurance coverage, and the benefits provided by the policy are related to events or conditions affecting this individual, such as death, illness, disability, or other health-related issues. It’s the general term for the person covered, in any kind of policy; life insurance also uses “life insured”.
Key aspects of the insured in this context include:
Life insurance
In life insurance, the insured is the person whose life is covered by the policy. If the insured dies while the policy is in force, the death benefit is paid out to the designated beneficiaries named in the policy. The insured’s age, health status, lifestyle, and other factors typically influence the premium rates and coverage terms.
Living benefits
Living benefits insurance, such as critical illness insurance or disability insurance, provides financial benefits to the insured if they experience a specified medical condition or become disabled. The insured is the individual protected against these specific risks, and the benefits are designed to offer financial support during challenging times.
Health insurance
In health insurance, the insured is the individual who receives coverage for health costs that the provincial health plan doesn’t cover, such as many prescription drugs, dental care and paramedical services. The policy helps mitigate the financial burden of healthcare costs for the insured.
Policyholder vs. insured
It’s important to note that the policyholder, the person or entity that owns the policy and pays the premiums, may or may not be the same as the insured. For example, a parent may be the policyholder of a life insurance policy covering their child, who is the insured.
Rights and benefits
The policy’s benefits are payable as the policy sets out, provided its terms and conditions are met, and the rights under the policy (such as naming a beneficiary) belong to the policyholder, who may or may not be the insured. These benefits are designed to offer protection and financial relief to the insured or their beneficiaries in the event of death, illness, or disability etc.