War Exclusion Clause

Provision in a life insurance policy that death benefits will not be paid in the event an insured dies from war-related causes; or in lieu of a death benefit there is a return of premiums plus interest, or a refund equal to the reserve portion (cash value) of the policy. For example, during the Vietnam War, if a whole life policy with a war exclusion clause had a face amount of $10,000 and an insured died as the result of war-related injuries, the beneficiary would receive the cash value of the policy. This clause cannot be added to a policy that had none originally. If it is included in a policy bought in time of war, it is typically removed by life insurance companies at the end of the war and, once removed, can never be restored.