What is the purpose of a waiting period in some life insurance policies?

The purpose of a waiting period in some life insurance policies is primarily to prevent moral hazard by delaying benefit payouts. Moral hazard refers to the idea that individuals may take on greater risks if they know they are insured against potential losses. By implementing a waiting period, insurers mitigate the risk that policyholders may act recklessly or intentionally misrepresent their situations to obtain benefits shortly after purchasing the policy. This delay serves as a deterrent against such behavior, ensuring that the individual remains committed to a valid insurable interest for a specified time before benefits are payable.

The other options provided pertain to different aspects of life insurance and do not accurately reflect the primary function of a waiting period. A waiting period does not facilitate the accrual of value in a typical sense, nor is it designed to enable easier policy updates or increase premium rates.