By statute, North Carolina allows one party to delegate- or assign- its obligations to perform some service under a contract to another party unless the contract prohibits assignment, or unless the non-assigning party has some substantial interest in having the originally obligated party perform the work themselves.
The insured needs to either endorse the policy document or make a deed of assignment and register the same with the insurer. A form prescribed by the insurers must be filled and signed. In case of conditional assignment, your reason needs to be mentioned as well.
Unlike a conditional assignment, which may have specific conditions attached, an absolute assignment represents an unqualified transfer of ownership. Absolute assignment can be used not only in the context of life insurance but also for transferring ownership of other valuable assets such as real estate and securities.
There are two types of assignment: contract assignment and assignment of rights. Contract assignment is when the assignor assigns the rights, responsibilities and obligations of a contract to the assignee. Assignment of rights is when the assignor only transfers the rights of the contract to the assignee.
For the most part, there are two types of life insurance plans - either term or permanent plans or some combination of the two. Life insurers offer various forms of term plans and traditional life policies as well as "interest sensitive" products which have become more prevalent since the 1980's .
The assignee of your life insurance policy becomes the nominee and receives the claim benefits, if it arises. The appointed nominee receives the claim benefits if you pass away during the policy period.