When is a policyowner allowed to take out a loan on a whole life insurance policy?

A policyowner is allowed to take out a loan on a whole life insurance policy when the policy has accumulated cash value. Whole life insurance accumulates cash value over time as a portion of the premium payments goes toward building this cash reserve, which is guaranteed and grows at a specified rate.

In this context, options that suggest taking out a loan immediately after purchase, after the first premium payment, or based solely on age are not aligned with the principles of whole life insurance. Loans can only be taken against the cash value, which typically does not exist until the policy has been in force for a certain period, allowing it to accumulate value. Thus, the presence of cash value is a prerequisite for the policyowner to access a loan against the policy.