---
title: "What Is Policyholder? Definition | Epic Life Glossary"
description: "A policyholder is the person or entity that holds the insurance contract and has the rights under it. In most cases the policyholder is the same as the..."
url: https://epicline.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/policyholder
publisher: Epic Life Group
apply: https://epicline.preview.multisites.ai/apply
quote: https://epicline.preview.multisites.ai/get-a-quote
---

Policy mechanics

# Policyholder

A policyholder is the person or entity that holds the insurance contract and has the rights under it. In most cases the policyholder is the same as the policy owner and often the insured.

## Why it matters

The policyholder pays the premium, can name or change beneficiaries, and can usually cancel or borrow against the policy. The policyholder and the insured can be different people. A parent might hold a policy on a child, or a spouse might hold a policy on a partner. The holder needs the insured person's consent and an insurable interest in most states. Terms vary by carrier.

Source: [law.cornell.edu](https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/policyholder)

## Where we use this term

-   [Building an insurance agency: how overrides and downlines work, and what is legal](https://epicline.preview.multisites.ai/guides/building-an-insurance-agency-overrides-downlines)
-   [Captive vs independent insurance agent: who owns your book?](https://epicline.preview.multisites.ai/guides/captive-vs-independent-agent)
-   [How do you file a life insurance claim after a loved one dies?](https://epicline.preview.multisites.ai/guides/how-to-file-a-life-insurance-claim)

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