Read the column heading before the dollar amount
Insurance illustrations commonly show multiple value definitions for each year. Numbers are meaningful only with their matching conditions and footnotes.
Step 1 · Identify the contract
Confirm insurer, product, applicant age, coverage amount, currency, illustrated health class, plan type and document date. If any differ, do not present the illustrations as directly comparable.
Step 2 · Separate what is guaranteed
Identify guaranteed death benefit and cash values, and record them separately from current-scale dividends, assumed interest or non-guaranteed additions.
Step 3 · Check premiums and policy years
A cumulative premium is not an annual premium; total illustrated cash value is not automatically the amount payable on surrender. Review policy-year timing and outstanding loan conditions.
Step 4 · Preserve evidence
For every transcribed number, note its page, year and exact column header. Start with our free comparison tool; export a report marked as user-entered and unverified.
Independent educational software prototype. Not affiliated with an insurer or regulator. No individual advice, official quotes, coverage, underwriting or transactions are provided. Information reviewed for prototype on 11 Nov 2026.