Group life insurance is a policy issued to an employer, association, or other organization. Employees or association members may receive certificates rather than policies.

Group life policies are usually annual, renewable term with an option to convert to an individual policy when you leave the company or association.

Many employers offer insurance under a group plan, and sometimes pay part or all of the premium. A medical exam is usually not required for insurance purchased this way, and it can be much cheaper than coverage purchased as an individual.

In some states, group life policies must be convertible to permanent insurance at the insured's option when the insured's coverage under their company or association policy terminates. The converted policy will probably be much more expensive than the group life insurance.

Some employers will allow insurers to send agents or enrollers into their premises to offer policies to their employees. Policies offered in this manner are different from group insurance, and you should evaluate the materials shown to you in the same way as if you were considering a purchase of an individual policy through an agent.

The answer on this page was edited based on source material from the Ohio Department of Ins., the Washington State Office of the Ins. Commissioner, and the California Department of Ins. These pages are no longer being updated. --Webmaster

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