How Long Before Life Insurance Takes Effect? 
Most life insurance goes into effect after you pay the first premium and sign the necessary delivery paperwork . If you purchase a policy in which the premium is paid with the application , and you fill out a temporary insurance application and agreement -LRB- TIAA -RRB- , your policy could pay the death benefit , even if you died during underwriting . I say `` could '' because there are some conditions such as face amount limits , time at which coverage begins -LRB- some will start upon receipt of the premium ; some wait until after the exam is completed -RRB- , and whether you are able to answer no to a set of health questions.This coverage is temporary , until the company determines whether to approve your application , and at what rate . Simplified issue policies can go into effect in as little as hours or days . 