Final answer:
The insurance policy in question is known as cash-value (whole) life insurance. It offers lifelong coverage with both a death benefit and a living benefit in the form of cash value accumulation. This policy type is regulated by state insurance commissions instead of FINRA.
Step-by-step explanation:
The type of insurance policy described by the student is known as cash-value (whole) life insurance. This insurance product guarantees whole-life coverage as long as the premiums are paid and is characterized by its unique feature of providing both a death benefit and a living benefit in the form of a cash value accumulation. The cash value can be used during the policyholder’s lifetime under certain conditions, providing an additional layer of financial security.
Importantly, this type of policy is not overseen by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), which sets it apart from other financial products that do offer investment features, such as variable life or variable universal life insurance policies. Instead, it is primarily regulated at the state level by insurance commissions. As a type of social insurance, it is similar to social security in that it requires regular payments in exchange for long-term benefits; however, unlike social security, the benefits of whole life insurance, including the cash value account, are specifically designated to the policyholder or their beneficiaries.