How Soon Does Life Insurance Take Effect? 
Life insurance normally takes effect when the policy has been approved , issued , and the fist premium has been made and delivery paperwork is completed . There are variations , though . With some policies , you can purchase temporary coverage that would allow the policy to pay your beneficiary if something happened to you during underwriting . Some No Exam , digitally signed applications will draft the first premium and put the policy into effect before you receive it in the mail . 