When Is Life Insurance Coverage Effective? 
Traditionally , life insurance becomes effective after the policy has been issued , you have paid the first premium with a check , and signed and returned the delivery paperwork . However , there are some variations on that . E.g. . If you have applied for a No Exam policy over the phone or internet , your policy may go into effect as soon as they draft the first premium . In a nutshell , life insurance coverage is effective when you have been approved , everything has been received by the insurance company to put it in place , and they have acknowledged it as being in effect . 