Can I Cash Out a Life Insurance Policy

In the UAE, certain life policies, such as whole life plans, build cash value over time, allowing policyholders to withdraw, borrow, or even surrender their policies for a lump sum. However, each option has financial implications, including reduced death benefits or surrender charges. 
Understanding how to access your policy’s cash value ensures you make an informed decision that aligns with your financial goals while maintaining necessary coverage for the future.

How Does Cashing Out Life Insurance Work?

If your life insurance policy includes a cash value component, you can access the funds in different ways while you are still alive. These options include —

• Withdrawing Money - You can take out a portion of the cash value, but this may reduce the death benefit your beneficiaries receive
• Surrendering the Policy - If you no longer need the policy, you can cancel it and receive the total cash value minus any fees or surrender charges
• Borrowing Against the Policy - You can take a loan using your policy as collateral. However, any unpaid loan balance may be deducted from the final payout
• Using Cash Value to Pay Premiums - If the cash value is sufficient, you can use it to cover premium payments instead of paying out-of-pocket

Our Tip For You: Each option has financial implications. This makes it crucial to evaluate the long-term effects before making a decision

How to Cash Out Life Insurance?

It takes patience for a life insurance policy’s cash value to grow into a useful amount. Once it does, it transforms into a versatile financial asset that can offer several benefits while you are still alive. However, many policyholders don’t take full advantage of this option due to a lack of awareness. 

Here are four ways to access your policy’s cash value —

• Surrendering the Policy – You can cancel the policy and receive a cash payout, but this means losing your life insurance coverage. Surrender fees, especially for newer policies, can reduce the payout. If premiums are too expensive, consider using the cash value to pay them instead
• Withdrawing Funds – You can withdraw cash from your policy up to the amount you've paid in. However, this may reduce the death benefit, sometimes by more than the amount withdrawn
• Taking a Loan – You can borrow money against your policy without a credit check. Interest applies but is usually lower than personal loan rates. Any unpaid balance will be deducted from the death benefit
• Paying Premiums with Cash Value – You can use the cash value to cover your policy premiums, making it easier to maintain coverage, especially during retirement

Please Note: Each option has its pros and cons. We highly recommend you to review your policy’s terms before making a decision.

Frequently Asked Questions