CA PSI Site - Life, Accident and Health
Agent Examination (Life Agent) Exam
Questions and Answers (Newest Version
2026)
Admitted Insurance Company vs. Non-Admitted Insurance Company - CORRECT
ANSWERS-An admitted insurance company is authorized to transact insurance in
California because it has a Certificate of Authority granted by the California Department
of Insurance (CDI)
A non-admitted insurance company is not authorized to transact insurance in California
because of failing to comply with California requirements or did not seek admission
Pure Risk vs. Speculative Risk - CORRECT ANSWERS-Pure risks are insurable but
Speculative risks are not
Pure Risks - A possibility of loss, no loss, or gain
Pure Risk - A possibility of loss or no loss; there is no possibility for gain
Contract of Adhesion - CORRECT ANSWERS-One party writes the contract without
inout from the other party on a "take-it-or-leave-it" basis
Aleatory Contract - CORRECT ANSWERS-The exchange of value is unequal.
Insured's premium payment is less than the potential benefit to be received in the event
of a loss.
Indemnity Contract - CORRECT ANSWERS-An agreement to pay on behalf of another
party under specified circumstances
Unilateral Contract - CORRECT ANSWERS-Only one party is legally bound to the
contractual obligations after the premium is paid to the insurer
Only the insurer makes a promise of future performance, and only the insurer can be
charged with breach of contract
4 elements of a valid contract - CORRECT ANSWERS-1) Competent Parties
2) Legal Purpose
3) Agreement (offer and acceptance)
,4) Consideration
Preferred Risks vs Standard Risks - CORRECT ANSWERS-Standard Risks are
individuals who have the same health, habits, sex/gender, and occupational
characteristics as those reflected in the mortality table
Preferred Risks are individuals who meet certain requirements and qualify for lower
premiums because of ideal health, height and weight. Individuals in this category have a
longer than average life expectancy
Human Life Value Approach vs. Needs Analysis Approach - CORRECT ANSWERS-
Human Life Value approach is a measure of the projected future earnings and services
of a person at risk in the event of a premature death.
The objective is to provide the proper amount of coverage as determined by the value of
the individual to his/her dependents using the following factors:
- The individual's age and gender
- The individual's occupation, annual wage, and planned retirement age
- Inflation
Needs Analysis Approach determines a need for coverage upon the premature death of
an individual.
It always assumes the death of the individual to be immediate and factors the following
steps into arriving at the proper amount of coverage needed:
- Calculate all financial needs caused by immediate death, including debts, medical
bills, and final expenses
- Provide lifetime income to the spouse
- Pay off mortgage or other debts
- Provide funds for children's education
- Subtracts any assets available to fund financial needs after death (such as retirement
plan, other insurance, liquid investments, separate savings)
Waiver of Premium - CORRECT ANSWERS-Life Insurance Disability Rider
If the insured becomes totally disabled, the insurer will waive premiums for the duration
of the disability or the end of the policy, whichever occurs first.
To qualify for the waiver, the insured must be disabled for a waiting period of 3-6
months.
The policyowner must continue to pay premiums during the waiting period, but once
eligible, the waiver is retroactive to the start of the disability and the premiums will be
refunded.
During the disability, the insured will credit the premiums to the policy and all benefits,
such as cash value accumulation and dividend payments, will continue.
,Disability Income Rider - CORRECT ANSWERS-Life Insurance Disability Rider
In the event of total disability and after the initial waiting period (such as 6 months),
premiums are waived and the insured is paid a monthly income.
The monthly disability income benefit is typically limited to a percentage of the face
value.
The benefit paid from the rider does not reduce the death benefits paid out upon death.
Accidental Death Benefit rider - CORRECT ANSWERS-Life Insurance Rider affecting
the death benefit amount
May be called multiple indemnity rider
In the event of a claim, the policy normally pays double or triple the face amount only if
the insured's death was a result of an accident.
The benefit is payable only if death occurs before a specific age and within 90 days of
the accident
Separate Account (Variable) vs General Account (Life Insurance) - CORRECT
ANSWERS-The separate account is invested in debt or equity securities as offered by
the insurance company.
o Both the cash value in the separate account and the death benefit will fluctuate based
on market conditions and performance of the subaccounts.
o There is no guaranteed minimum return on the cash value in the separate account
and the policy may lose both cash value and death benefit if there are market losses.
o The death benefit is recalculated annually.
The general account provides a fixed rate of interest and the cash value in the general
account provides for a guaranteed minimum death benefit.
Viatical Settlement - CORRECT ANSWERS-An agreement between a policyowner and
a third-party buyer to purchase the life policy covering a person who is diagnosed as
terminally ill with less than 24 months remaining life expectancy.
Principle of Indemnity - CORRECT ANSWERS-To indemnify means to restore a
person, in whole or in part, to the same physical or financial condition which existed
prior to a loss, but without profit or gain.
In life and health insurance, it may not be possible to truly indemnify a person for all
losses.
o Instead, indemnity takes the form of cash (a death or disability income benefit) or
payments to physicians or hospitals for care and services provided to an insured who is
injured or ill.
, Joint Life - CORRECT ANSWERS-Joint Life (First to Die) is a whole life policy that is
written to cover 2 or more lives.
• The death benefit is paid upon the first insured to die and the policy terminates.
Joint Survivorship - CORRECT ANSWERS-Joint Survivorship (Last to Die) is a whole
life policy written to cover 2 or more lives, and the death benefit is not paid until the last
insured dies.
Family Policies - CORRECT ANSWERS-To this base life insurance policy, a term
insurance rider is attached that is designed to provide a monthly income to the survivor
if the insured dies during the specified term.
Irrevocable Beneficiary - CORRECT ANSWERS-An irrevocable beneficiary has certain
guaranteed rights to assets held in the policy, and this beneficiary must agree to any
changes in rights to compensation from policyowner.
Contributory Plan - CORRECT ANSWERS-A type of group insurance plan where
employees pay 100% of premium payments and at least 75% of employees participate
in this policy.
Partial Surrender - CORRECT ANSWERS-A partial withdrawal is considered a partial
surrender of a Universal or Variable Universal Life policy.
o The partial surrender is actually paid from the policy value and reduces both the
amount of the death benefit and the amount of cash value in the policy.
Per Capita - CORRECT ANSWERS-This is a method of distribution that will pay to
surviving beneficiaries equally if named a beneficiary dies before the insured does
Per Stirpes - CORRECT ANSWERS-This is a method of distribution that will pay to
surviving beneficiaries equally if named a beneficiary dies before the insured does
Grace Period - CORRECT ANSWERS-The grace period is the time period provided
after the premium due dates before a policy lapses.
• The grace period in California is 60 days.
Incontestability clause - CORRECT ANSWERS-Within the first 2 years of a policy, the
insurer may contest a claim and void the contract upon proof of a material misstatement
or fraud.
Free Look - CORRECT ANSWERS-Every policy of individual life insurance and
annuities (other than variable contracts) that is used for delivery in California must
contain a notice regarding a return of the policy for cancellation of 10-30 days after its
receipt by the owner.
o The minimum free look period is 10 days for persons under age 60.
o Persons who are age 60 or older must be given a 30-day free look period.
Agent Examination (Life Agent) Exam
Questions and Answers (Newest Version
2026)
Admitted Insurance Company vs. Non-Admitted Insurance Company - CORRECT
ANSWERS-An admitted insurance company is authorized to transact insurance in
California because it has a Certificate of Authority granted by the California Department
of Insurance (CDI)
A non-admitted insurance company is not authorized to transact insurance in California
because of failing to comply with California requirements or did not seek admission
Pure Risk vs. Speculative Risk - CORRECT ANSWERS-Pure risks are insurable but
Speculative risks are not
Pure Risks - A possibility of loss, no loss, or gain
Pure Risk - A possibility of loss or no loss; there is no possibility for gain
Contract of Adhesion - CORRECT ANSWERS-One party writes the contract without
inout from the other party on a "take-it-or-leave-it" basis
Aleatory Contract - CORRECT ANSWERS-The exchange of value is unequal.
Insured's premium payment is less than the potential benefit to be received in the event
of a loss.
Indemnity Contract - CORRECT ANSWERS-An agreement to pay on behalf of another
party under specified circumstances
Unilateral Contract - CORRECT ANSWERS-Only one party is legally bound to the
contractual obligations after the premium is paid to the insurer
Only the insurer makes a promise of future performance, and only the insurer can be
charged with breach of contract
4 elements of a valid contract - CORRECT ANSWERS-1) Competent Parties
2) Legal Purpose
3) Agreement (offer and acceptance)
,4) Consideration
Preferred Risks vs Standard Risks - CORRECT ANSWERS-Standard Risks are
individuals who have the same health, habits, sex/gender, and occupational
characteristics as those reflected in the mortality table
Preferred Risks are individuals who meet certain requirements and qualify for lower
premiums because of ideal health, height and weight. Individuals in this category have a
longer than average life expectancy
Human Life Value Approach vs. Needs Analysis Approach - CORRECT ANSWERS-
Human Life Value approach is a measure of the projected future earnings and services
of a person at risk in the event of a premature death.
The objective is to provide the proper amount of coverage as determined by the value of
the individual to his/her dependents using the following factors:
- The individual's age and gender
- The individual's occupation, annual wage, and planned retirement age
- Inflation
Needs Analysis Approach determines a need for coverage upon the premature death of
an individual.
It always assumes the death of the individual to be immediate and factors the following
steps into arriving at the proper amount of coverage needed:
- Calculate all financial needs caused by immediate death, including debts, medical
bills, and final expenses
- Provide lifetime income to the spouse
- Pay off mortgage or other debts
- Provide funds for children's education
- Subtracts any assets available to fund financial needs after death (such as retirement
plan, other insurance, liquid investments, separate savings)
Waiver of Premium - CORRECT ANSWERS-Life Insurance Disability Rider
If the insured becomes totally disabled, the insurer will waive premiums for the duration
of the disability or the end of the policy, whichever occurs first.
To qualify for the waiver, the insured must be disabled for a waiting period of 3-6
months.
The policyowner must continue to pay premiums during the waiting period, but once
eligible, the waiver is retroactive to the start of the disability and the premiums will be
refunded.
During the disability, the insured will credit the premiums to the policy and all benefits,
such as cash value accumulation and dividend payments, will continue.
,Disability Income Rider - CORRECT ANSWERS-Life Insurance Disability Rider
In the event of total disability and after the initial waiting period (such as 6 months),
premiums are waived and the insured is paid a monthly income.
The monthly disability income benefit is typically limited to a percentage of the face
value.
The benefit paid from the rider does not reduce the death benefits paid out upon death.
Accidental Death Benefit rider - CORRECT ANSWERS-Life Insurance Rider affecting
the death benefit amount
May be called multiple indemnity rider
In the event of a claim, the policy normally pays double or triple the face amount only if
the insured's death was a result of an accident.
The benefit is payable only if death occurs before a specific age and within 90 days of
the accident
Separate Account (Variable) vs General Account (Life Insurance) - CORRECT
ANSWERS-The separate account is invested in debt or equity securities as offered by
the insurance company.
o Both the cash value in the separate account and the death benefit will fluctuate based
on market conditions and performance of the subaccounts.
o There is no guaranteed minimum return on the cash value in the separate account
and the policy may lose both cash value and death benefit if there are market losses.
o The death benefit is recalculated annually.
The general account provides a fixed rate of interest and the cash value in the general
account provides for a guaranteed minimum death benefit.
Viatical Settlement - CORRECT ANSWERS-An agreement between a policyowner and
a third-party buyer to purchase the life policy covering a person who is diagnosed as
terminally ill with less than 24 months remaining life expectancy.
Principle of Indemnity - CORRECT ANSWERS-To indemnify means to restore a
person, in whole or in part, to the same physical or financial condition which existed
prior to a loss, but without profit or gain.
In life and health insurance, it may not be possible to truly indemnify a person for all
losses.
o Instead, indemnity takes the form of cash (a death or disability income benefit) or
payments to physicians or hospitals for care and services provided to an insured who is
injured or ill.
, Joint Life - CORRECT ANSWERS-Joint Life (First to Die) is a whole life policy that is
written to cover 2 or more lives.
• The death benefit is paid upon the first insured to die and the policy terminates.
Joint Survivorship - CORRECT ANSWERS-Joint Survivorship (Last to Die) is a whole
life policy written to cover 2 or more lives, and the death benefit is not paid until the last
insured dies.
Family Policies - CORRECT ANSWERS-To this base life insurance policy, a term
insurance rider is attached that is designed to provide a monthly income to the survivor
if the insured dies during the specified term.
Irrevocable Beneficiary - CORRECT ANSWERS-An irrevocable beneficiary has certain
guaranteed rights to assets held in the policy, and this beneficiary must agree to any
changes in rights to compensation from policyowner.
Contributory Plan - CORRECT ANSWERS-A type of group insurance plan where
employees pay 100% of premium payments and at least 75% of employees participate
in this policy.
Partial Surrender - CORRECT ANSWERS-A partial withdrawal is considered a partial
surrender of a Universal or Variable Universal Life policy.
o The partial surrender is actually paid from the policy value and reduces both the
amount of the death benefit and the amount of cash value in the policy.
Per Capita - CORRECT ANSWERS-This is a method of distribution that will pay to
surviving beneficiaries equally if named a beneficiary dies before the insured does
Per Stirpes - CORRECT ANSWERS-This is a method of distribution that will pay to
surviving beneficiaries equally if named a beneficiary dies before the insured does
Grace Period - CORRECT ANSWERS-The grace period is the time period provided
after the premium due dates before a policy lapses.
• The grace period in California is 60 days.
Incontestability clause - CORRECT ANSWERS-Within the first 2 years of a policy, the
insurer may contest a claim and void the contract upon proof of a material misstatement
or fraud.
Free Look - CORRECT ANSWERS-Every policy of individual life insurance and
annuities (other than variable contracts) that is used for delivery in California must
contain a notice regarding a return of the policy for cancellation of 10-30 days after its
receipt by the owner.
o The minimum free look period is 10 days for persons under age 60.
o Persons who are age 60 or older must be given a 30-day free look period.
