Under M.G.L. c. 175, § 24, what is the effect of a waiver-of-premium provision when an insured becomes totally disabled within the meaning of the provision?

Why C is correct

M.G.L. c. 175, § 24 governs waiver-of-premium benefits in Massachusetts life policies. When the insured satisfies the provision's definition of total disability, the insurer waives the premiums falling due during the disability, and the policy remains in force as though the premiums were being paid. The benefit protects the policy's continuity — the death benefit, cash value build, and policy rights continue — while the disabled insured, who can no longer work, is not forced to lapse the contract for nonpayment.

Why the other options are wrong

• A) Termination with a premium refund is the opposite of the benefit; the waiver exists to keep the policy alive through disability.
• B) Waiver of premium is not an addition to the death benefit; it relieves the premium obligation while coverage continues.
• D) There is no automatic conversion to term insurance under M.G.L. c. 175, § 24; the existing policy simply continues without premium payments.

Memory hook

Disabled and covered: the premium bill stops, the policy doesn't.