what is a nonforfeiture clause 
a nonforfeiture clause is an insurance policy clause stipulating that an insured party can receive full or partial benefits or a partial refund of premiums after a lapse due to nonpayment standard life insurance and long term care insurance may have nonforfeiture clauses the clause may involve returning some portion of the total premiums paid the cash surrender value of the policy or a reduced benefit based upon premiums paid before the policy lapses 