Free Life & Health Insurance Exam Flashcards
Memorize 50 essential terms and definitions for the Life and Health Insurance National Exam. See the term, recall the definition, then flip to check yourself.
Term Life Insurance
Life insurance that provides coverage for a specific period (term). If the insured dies during the term, beneficiaries receive the death benefit. No cash value accumulates.
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About These Life & Health Insurance Flashcards
These 50 flashcards are designed to help you memorize key terms and definitions for the Life and Health Insurance National Exam. Each card shows a term on the front and its definition on the back—the classic flashcard format for vocabulary memorization. Use these alongside our practice questions to build both recall and comprehension.
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Complete Flashcard Reference
Review every term in this set. Open any term to reveal its definition.
Term Life Insurance
Life insurance that provides coverage for a specific period (term). If the insured dies during the term, beneficiaries receive the death benefit. No cash value accumulates.
Whole Life Insurance
Permanent life insurance with level premiums for life, guaranteed death benefit, and cash value that grows at a guaranteed rate. Also called straight life or ordinary life.
Universal Life Insurance
Flexible permanent life insurance that allows policyholders to adjust premiums and death benefits. Cash value earns interest based on current market rates.
Variable Life Insurance
Permanent life insurance where cash value is invested in separate accounts (similar to mutual funds). Death benefit and cash value fluctuate based on investment performance.
Decreasing Term Insurance
Term life insurance where the death benefit decreases over time while premiums remain level. Often used for mortgage protection.
HMO (Health Maintenance Organization)
Managed care plan requiring members to use network providers and select a primary care physician (PCP) who coordinates care and provides referrals to specialists.
PPO (Preferred Provider Organization)
Managed care plan that offers flexibility to see any provider but provides higher benefits for using in-network providers. No referrals required for specialists.
HSA (Health Savings Account)
Tax-advantaged savings account paired with a high-deductible health plan (HDHP). Contributions are tax-deductible, grow tax-free, and withdrawals for qualified medical expenses are tax-free.
Deductible
The amount the insured must pay out-of-pocket before the insurance company begins paying benefits. Higher deductibles typically result in lower premiums.
Coinsurance
The percentage of covered medical costs the insured pays after meeting the deductible. For example, with 80/20 coinsurance, the insurer pays 80% and the insured pays 20%.
Short-Term Disability (STD)
Insurance that replaces a portion of income when an insured is temporarily unable to work due to illness or injury. Typically covers 3-6 months.
Long-Term Disability (LTD)
Insurance that provides income replacement for extended periods of disability, typically starting after short-term disability ends. May continue until age 65 or for life.
Elimination Period
The waiting period before disability benefits begin, similar to a deductible but measured in time. Longer elimination periods result in lower premiums.
Own Occupation Definition
Disability definition where the insured is considered disabled if unable to perform the duties of their specific occupation, even if they can work in another field.
Any Occupation Definition
Disability definition where the insured is only considered disabled if unable to perform duties of any occupation for which they are reasonably qualified by education, training, or experience.
Annuity
A contract with an insurance company that provides regular income payments, either immediately or at a future date. Used primarily for retirement income.
Immediate Annuity
An annuity that begins making payments within one year of purchase. Funded with a single premium and provides income for a specified period or for life.
Deferred Annuity
An annuity that accumulates funds during an accumulation phase before beginning payments at a later date. Can be fixed, variable, or indexed.
Fixed Annuity
An annuity that guarantees a minimum interest rate during the accumulation phase and fixed payments during the payout phase. Principal is protected.
Variable Annuity
An annuity where funds are invested in separate accounts (subaccounts). Returns and payments vary based on investment performance. Considered a security.
HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act)
Federal law that protects health information privacy, ensures portability of health coverage between jobs, and limits exclusions for pre-existing conditions.
COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act)
Federal law allowing employees and dependents to continue group health coverage for 18-36 months after a qualifying event (job loss, divorce, etc.) by paying the full premium.
ACA (Affordable Care Act)
Federal law that expanded health insurance access through marketplaces, Medicaid expansion, essential health benefits requirements, and prohibition of pre-existing condition exclusions.
ERISA (Employee Retirement Income Security Act)
Federal law that sets standards for employer-sponsored benefit plans, including health insurance and retirement plans. Establishes fiduciary responsibilities.
Pre-existing Condition
A health condition that existed before the effective date of coverage. Under the ACA, insurers cannot deny coverage or charge more for pre-existing conditions in individual and group markets.
Underwriting
The process of evaluating risk and determining whether to issue insurance, at what premium, and under what conditions. Considers factors like health, occupation, and lifestyle.
Medical Underwriting
The process of evaluating an applicant's health history, current conditions, and risk factors to determine insurability and appropriate premium rates.
Substandard Risk
An applicant whose risk profile is higher than standard due to health conditions, occupation, or lifestyle. May be issued a policy with higher premiums or exclusions.
Preferred Risk
An applicant who presents lower-than-average risk due to excellent health, favorable occupation, and healthy lifestyle. Qualifies for lower premium rates.
Insurable Interest
A financial or emotional stake in the continued life or health of the insured. Required at the time of application to prevent wagering on lives.
Grace Period
A specified time (typically 30-31 days) after the premium due date during which coverage remains in force even if premium is unpaid. Prevents immediate policy lapse.
Incontestability Clause
A provision stating the insurer cannot contest the validity of the policy after it has been in force for a specified period (usually 2 years), except for nonpayment of premium.
Free Look Period
A period (typically 10-30 days) after policy delivery during which the policyholder can return the policy for a full refund of premiums paid, no questions asked.
Beneficiary
The person or entity designated to receive the death benefit proceeds from a life insurance policy upon the insured's death.
Contestable Period
The period (usually 2 years from policy issue) during which the insurer can investigate and deny claims based on material misrepresentations in the application.
Group Insurance
Insurance coverage provided to a group of people under a single master policy, typically through an employer. Usually less expensive than individual coverage.
Master Policy
The insurance contract issued to an employer or group that outlines the coverage terms. Individual members receive certificates of insurance, not policies.
Certificate of Insurance
A document provided to each group insurance participant summarizing their coverage under the master policy. Not an insurance contract itself.
Conversion Privilege
The right to convert group coverage to an individual policy without evidence of insurability when leaving the group, usually within 31 days of termination.
Contributory Plan
A group insurance plan where both the employer and employees share the cost of premiums. Requires minimum participation (usually 75%) to prevent adverse selection.
Medicare Part A
Hospital insurance that covers inpatient hospital care, skilled nursing facility care, hospice, and some home health care. Premium-free for most people who paid Medicare taxes.
Medicare Part B
Medical insurance covering physician services, outpatient care, preventive services, and medical equipment. Requires monthly premium payment.
Medicare Part D
Prescription drug coverage provided through private insurance companies approved by Medicare. Helps cover the cost of prescription medications.
Medicare Supplement (Medigap)
Private insurance policies that help pay Medicare cost-sharing (deductibles, coinsurance, copays). Standardized plans labeled A through N.
Medicaid
Joint federal-state program providing health coverage to low-income individuals and families. Eligibility and benefits vary by state.
Replacement
A transaction where new life insurance or annuity is purchased and existing coverage is surrendered, lapsed, or reduced. Requires specific disclosure forms and procedures.
Twisting
An illegal practice where an agent induces a policyholder to replace existing coverage through misrepresentation or incomplete comparison of policies.
Churning
The unethical practice of replacing insurance policies primarily to generate commissions for the agent, without regard to the policyholder's best interests.
Rebating
The illegal practice of returning part of the premium or giving anything of value to an applicant as an inducement to purchase insurance.
Fiduciary Duty
The legal and ethical obligation of an agent to act in the best interest of the client, placing the client's interests above their own.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Life and Health Insurance exam pass rate?
The national first-time pass rate for Life and Health Insurance exams averages 58-68%, varying significantly by state. Colorado has one of the highest pass rates at 78% for life and 74% for health insurance. Arkansas reports 69% for life insurance. Connecticut shows a wider spread: 61% for health insurance but only 43% for life insurance alone. Combined Life & Health exams typically have pass rates around 50-60%. These statistics come from state insurance department data compiled by the NAIC.
How many questions are on the Life and Health Insurance exam?
The number of questions varies by state, ranging from 50 to 165 questions. States offering separate exams have 50-110 questions per section with 1-3 hours each. Combined exams typically have 85-170 questions with about 2-2.5 hours to complete. For example, Florida's 2-15 exam has 165 questions (150 scored, 15 unscored pretest) requiring 105 correct to pass. California splits its exams: Life Insurance has 75 questions, Health Insurance has 100 questions. Check your specific state's Exam Content Outline for exact numbers.
How long should I study for the Life and Health Insurance exam?
Plan to study 35-40 hours for the combined Life & Health exam, or 20 hours for each individual exam. ExamFX and Kaplan both recommend a minimum of 40 hours of preparation. The most effective approach is to study over 2-4 weeks rather than cramming. Start no more than 3-4 weeks before your exam date so the information stays fresh. If possible, dedicate 7-8 hours per day in the final week, or 3-4 hours daily over 2 weeks. Pre-licensing education (typically 20-40 hours) counts toward this study time in most states.
What is the Life and Health Insurance exam retake policy?
Retake policies vary by state. Most states allow immediate rescheduling with only a 24-48 hour waiting period after failing. Pennsylvania requires 24 hours between attempts. Indiana requires 48 hours. However, some states impose longer waits after multiple failures: Alabama requires a 90-day wait after two failures, and a 180-day wait after four failures. Virginia requires a 30-day wait after three consecutive failures. Each retake requires paying the full exam fee again ($40-92 depending on state). There's typically no limit on total attempts.
Do I need pre-licensing education to take the Life and Health Insurance exam?
It depends on your state. Most states require 20-40 hours of pre-licensing education before you can sit for the exam. However, several states have no formal pre-licensing requirement, including Texas, Arizona, and Pennsylvania (as of April 2025). Even in states without requirements, pre-licensing courses are highly recommended since they're designed to prepare you for the specific exam content. Waivers are available in many states if you hold professional designations like CLU, ChFC, FLMI, or LUTCF, or have a bachelor's degree in insurance.
What topics are most commonly tested on the Life and Health Insurance exam?
The most heavily tested topics include: policy provisions and the Consideration clause, policy conversions between term and whole life, types of annuities (Straight Life, Installment Refund, Cash Refund, Joint Life), disability income calculations including elimination periods, HMO structures and health insurance tax issues, group insurance provisions, and federal regulations (HIPAA, COBRA). State-specific content covers insurance commissioner duties, licensing requirements, unfair trade practices, and disciplinary actions—making up 20-30% of most state exams.
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