Which dividend option is considered the automatic choice if no other option is selected?

The correct answer is that the additional paid-up insurance dividend option is the automatic choice if no other option is selected. This means that when policyholders are given dividends and do not indicate a preference for how those dividends should be used, the insurer will automatically apply the dividends towards purchasing additional paid-up insurance. This option effectively increases the death benefit of the policy without requiring additional premiums from the policyholder.

By automatically opting for additional paid-up insurance, policyholders benefit from compounding growth in their policy's value, as this approach increases the overall coverage amount without incurring out-of-pocket costs. This is advantageous for many policyholders who wish to enhance their protection in a cost-effective manner.

The other options provided, such as cash dividend, reduced premium, and accumulate at interest, while all valid ways to use dividends, are not automatically selected by the insurer. For instance, cash dividends provide immediate payment to the policyholder, which may not align with long-term insurance growth strategies. Reduced premium options allow policyholders to lower their future premium payments, which could be beneficial but might leave them with less coverage than they initially had. Accumulate at interest options involve the insurer holding the dividends and paying interest on them, but this does not directly enhance the policy’s coverage