Policyholder or policy owner

Policyholder or policy owner. If you own an insurance contract or policy, you are a policyholder, also known as the policy owner.

As a policyholder, you may also be the person covered by the policy -- referred to as the insured -- although you may own a policy that names someone else as the insured.

Policyholders have certain rights. For instance, if you're the policyholder for a life insurance policy, you can change the beneficiary or transfer ownership of the policy to someone else.

In contrast, if you're covered by a group policy, such as a group health policy or group life insurance policy offered by an employer, the policyholder is the organization that offers you a chance to participate in the coverage. You may be given certain options, but in this case you're not the policyholder.