M completes a life insurance application without paying the initial premium. What must occur before the policy goes into effect, EXCEPT?

In the context of life insurance applications, several steps need to be completed for a policy to be in effect. Typically, the policy must be delivered, the application must be approved, and the initial premium must be paid.

When considering the correct answer regarding which condition is not necessary before the policy goes into effect, it's important to note the role of the free-look period. The free-look period is a specific period after the policy is delivered during which the insured can review the policy and decide whether to continue coverage or cancel it for a full refund. This period does not affect when the policy actually goes into effect; rather, it provides the policyholder an opportunity to assess their purchase after the policy has been issued.

Therefore, the free-look period can expire after the policy has been delivered, but this does not impact the requirement for the policy to be in effect prior to its expiration. The essential conditions involving policy delivery, application approval, and payment of the premium must occur first, making the expiration of the free-look period irrelevant to when the policy first takes effect.