What Does It Mean If Your Life Insurance Lapses? 
If your life insurance policy lapses , it means that your coverage has ended . In order to reinstate it , you will have to prove that your health has not changed . If that is not possible , you will have to get a new policy with new rates . In my experience , the most common reason for a policy lapsing is people moving and forgetting to tell the life insurance company their new address . This is most common if paying annually , as the post office forwarding period may not catch the notice . To avoid your policy lapsing , be sure to keep your current address and checking account on file at the insurance company . Many companies will allow you to set up a secondary address to which notices can also be sent . If you use online banking , set a warning if your life insurance premium is not paid . Treat your life insurance payment as you would or mortgage or auto loan payment . Especially if you are getting older or have had a change of health since you first purchased your policy , protecting you policy will be worth it . 