What happens to the cash value of a variable life insurance policy if the investments perform poorly?

In a variable life insurance policy, the cash value is tied to the performance of the underlying investments, which often include stocks, bonds, or mutual funds. If these investments perform poorly, the cash value of the policy is subject to decline because it relies on the market value of the assets within the policy. This characteristic distinguishes variable life insurance from whole life insurance, where the cash value typically grows at a guaranteed rate regardless of market conditions.

Since the performance of the investments directly affects the cash value, a downturn in market conditions can lead to a decrease in the cash value of the policy. This variable nature is a critical aspect of variable life insurance, making it important for policyholders to understand the potential risks associated with investment performance.

The other choices reflect misunderstandings of how variable life insurance operates. For example, stating that the cash value remains unaffected ignores the direct correlation between investment performance and cash value, and claiming it's guaranteed to grow overlooks the inherent risk involved. Suggesting that the cash value is reset to zero is inaccurate, as the cash value can decrease, but it does not disappear entirely unless specific conditions are met, such as the policy being surrendered or lapsing.