激活“沉睡资产”还是埋下风险隐患？透视保单贷款双刃剑效应

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the rising trend of policy loans in China's insurance market, highlighting their benefits for liquidity and flexibility while also cautioning about potential risks associated with their use. Group 1: Policy Loan Features - Many newly listed whole life insurance products emphasize features like "policy loans" and "reduced paid-up" options to balance protection and liquidity [1] - Policy loans allow policyholders to borrow against the cash value of their policies, typically up to 80% of the cash value, with annual interest rates ranging from 4% to 6%, which is lower than average online loan rates [1][2] - The process for obtaining a policy loan has been simplified through digital channels, allowing for online applications and instant disbursements [2] Group 2: Benefits of Policy Loans - Policy loans can activate "sleeping" cash values in long-term policies, providing a flexible funding source without affecting the insurance coverage [2][3] - The loans are considered advantageous due to their simpler application process compared to bank loans, and they do not impact the policy's benefits during the loan period [3] Group 3: Risks and Cautions - There are risks associated with policy loans, such as the potential for policy lapse if the total loan amount exceeds the cash value, which can affect insurance coverage [3][4] - The Shenzhen Financial Regulatory Bureau has issued warnings about the risks of policy loans, particularly regarding the accumulation of interest and the impact on policy benefits if loans are not managed properly [4][5] - Consumers are advised to carefully assess their financial situation and repayment capabilities before taking out a policy loan, as it can increase financial burdens [6][7] Group 4: Recommendations for Consumers - Industry experts recommend that policyholders use policy loans as short-term financing tools and maintain a clear repayment plan to ensure the safety of their policies [6][7] - Consumers should be cautious of third-party intermediaries and ensure they are using official channels to apply for policy loans, avoiding exaggerated claims from unregulated lenders [4][6]