Life insurance under which coverage is intended to remain in force during the Insured's entire lifetime, providing premiums are paid as specified in the policy. A whole life insurance policy can build cash value on a tax-deferred basis. Both the premiums to pay and the cash values that result are predetermined and found in the policy contract. The cash value is an amount of money available to the policy owner for policy loans or as the surrender value if the policy is canceled and returned to the company.