What does "policy lapse" mean?

A "policy lapse" refers to the termination of an insurance policy primarily because the policyholder has failed to make the required premium payments. When premiums are not paid within the specified time frame, the insurer has the right to discontinue coverage, which means that any claims arising after the lapse will not be honored. This is crucial for individuals seeking continuous coverage, as failing to keep up with payments can leave them without protection against risks that the policy would have covered. Understanding this concept is vital for policyholders to ensure they remain protected and avoid unintentional lapses in coverage. The other options describe different aspects of insurance but do not address the situation where a policy is terminated due to non-payment.