Free Insurance Licensing Virginia-Life-Annuities-and-Health-Insurance Practice Exam with Questions & Answers | Set: 11

With a decreasing term life insurance policy, the premium remains level, but the amount of coverage decreases annually. This type of policy is often used to cover debts that decrease over time, such as a mortgage. Since the coverage amount drops each year, premiums are not reduced — they remain the same throughout the policy term.

Detailed Answer in Step-by-Step Solution:

In a deferred annuity, the owner (who purchases the contract) can be the annuitant (who receives payments), the beneficiary (who receives proceeds), or a third party (C).

Option A (group contract) applies to group annuities, not individual ownership.

Option B (non-transferable) is false; ownership can often be assigned.

Option D (rights at payment phase) is incorrect; owners have rights during accumulation.

The Virginia study guide notes that deferred annuity ownership is flexible, allowing the owner to differ from the annuitant or beneficiary, with rights exercisable before payout. Reference: Virginia Life, Annuities, and Health Insurance study guide, section on "Annuities."

Term life insurance is designed to provide pure death benefit protection for a specific period of time at a relatively low cost. It does not accumulate cash value and therefore is not appropriate for savings or investment objectives. This makes option D the correct answer.

Term life insurance is commonly used to cover temporary financial needs such as income replacement, mortgage protection, and family readjustment expenses. Because premiums are lower than permanent life insurance, it is well-suited for individuals seeking maximum death benefit for minimal premium.

Virginia exam materials emphasize that term insurance ends at the end of the term unless renewed or converted and does not build savings. Accumulating funds for education requires a policy with a cash value component, such as whole life or universal life, not term insurance.

In Virginia law and standard insurance terminology, the period during which a new employee must wait before becoming eligible for group health insurance is called a probationary period.

The Code of Virginia defines a “waiting period” as the length of time that must pass before an individual becomes eligible for coverage under a group plan. By law, this waiting period cannot exceed 90 days.

Virginia regulations further distinguish between two types of waiting times:

The eligibility waiting period imposed by an employer before coverage begins (commonly referred to in industry study materials as the probationary period).

A policy’s internal waiting period during which no benefits are provided after coverage becomes effective.

Additionally, Virginia’s insurance replacement regulations explicitly reference “probationary periods” when describing limitations or exclusions related to preexisting conditions. This confirms that the industry-standard term used in exam and licensing study guides for this eligibility wait is probationary period.

References (Virginia official documents and study materials):

Code of Virginia § 38.2-3431 (Definitions — “Waiting period”)

Code of Virginia § 38.2-3452 (Limitation — 90-day maximum waiting period for group health plans)

14VAC5-141-20 (Definitions — distinguishes employer eligibility waiting period from policy waiting period)

14VAC5-200-110 (Replacement notice — references to “probationary periods”)

Most group disability income insurance policies exclude coverage for disability resulting from military service. Disabilities caused by active duty in the military are typically covered under separate government programs, such as Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits. Commercial airline crashes, injuries at home, and automobile accidents are typically covered under group disability policies, though specifics may vary by policy.

Virginia Code § 38.2-510 regulates unfair claim settlement practices, enforced by the State Corporation Commission’s Bureau of Insurance—a state insurance department (option D). This includes timely claim processing and fair payment, with penalties for violations. Option A (IRS) oversees tax compliance, not insurance claims. Option B (NAIC) develops model laws and guidelines (e.g., Unfair Claims Settlement Practices Act), but lacks enforcement power; states adopt and regulate these standards. Option C (claims adjusters) are practitioners, not regulators. The study guide likely emphasizes Virginia’s Bureau as the authority, citing examples like investigating delayed claims, aligning with state-level oversight under § 38.2-200 et seq., making D the correct regulator.

Accidental death benefit riders require proof of accidental cause, timely death after injury, and age restrictions. They do not require the death to be work-related. Exact extract: “Accidental death benefits are payable if death results from accidental injury, occurs within a stated period (often 90 days), and before a specified age, usually 60–65.” Job-relatedness is irrelevant unless specifically excluded (e.g., hazardous occupation).

A major medical policy is designed as a comprehensive health policy, covering a wide range of expenses, including hospital, surgical, physician, and prescription costs. It provides broader coverage than limited benefit plans such as dental or vision policies. Workers’ compensation is not considered a general health policy because it specifically covers occupational injuries.

Exact Extract (Virginia Health Insurance Study Guide): “Major medical insurance—provides comprehensive coverage for hospital, physician, surgical, and other medical expenses, subject to deductibles and coinsurance. Distinguished from limited health expense policies (dental, vision).”

References (Virginia Documents / Study Guide):

— Virginia Health Insurance Examination Outline, Section 2.2 Comprehensive vs. Limited Policies

Twisting occurs when an agent uses misleading or incomplete comparisons to persuade a policyowner to lapse, surrender, or replace an existing insurance policy with a new one. This practice is unethical and prohibited because it may result in the consumer losing valuable benefits such as cash values, favorable policy provisions, or lower premiums. Rebating involves offering something of value not stated in the policy. Coercion involves force or threats. Defamation concerns false statements damaging another’s reputation. Since the agent is encouraging replacement through misleading comparisons, the act is twisting.

Virginia Code § 38.2-4306 mandates HMO benefits, focusing on comprehensive care. Option A (wellness programs) is common, promoting prevention (e.g., smoking cessation). Option C (24-hour emergency care) is required, ensuring access via PCP coordination or direct ER services. Option D (outpatient services) is standard, covering clinic visits. Option B (discounts on local health spa memberships) isn’t a typical HMO feature; while some plans offer wellness incentives, spa discounts are ancillary, not a core benefit under Virginia law or NAIC HMO models. The study guide likely lists HMO staples (A, C, D) with examples—e.g., annual checkups (D)—contrasting them with optional perks like B, making it the exception.