What feature is characteristic of a whole life policy?

A whole life policy is designed to provide coverage for the insured's entire lifetime, as long as premiums are paid. One of the defining features of a whole life insurance policy is the guaranteed cash value. This cash value accumulates over time, allowing policyholders to access a portion of their death benefit while they are still living. The cash value is a significant advantage of whole life policies, as it provides a savings element that policyholders can utilize through loans or withdrawals.

In contrast, variable premiums are not characteristic of whole life insurance; they typically apply to universal life policies, which may have flexible premium payments but can fluctuate based on the policy's cash value performance. Term coverage is exclusive to term life insurance, which provides protection for a specified period and does not build cash value. Higher-risk investments are not associated with whole life policies, which are generally considered stable and conservative financial products with fixed returns. Thus, the guaranteed cash value is a fundamental feature that distinguishes whole life policies from other types of insurance.