Collateral Assignment

Definition of "Collateral assignment"

Designation of a policy's death benefit or its cash surrender value to a creditor as security for a loan. If the loan is not repaid, the creditor receives the policy proceeds up to the balance of the outstanding loan, and the beneficiary receives the remainder. Because life insurance is freely assignable it is readily acceptable to lending institutions as security. Also, the lender is certain to receive the money should death strike the borrower before the loan can be repaid.

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