What type of contract is a life insurance policy considered if it lacks insurable interest?

A life insurance policy that lacks insurable interest is classified as a wagering contract. This designation arises because a wagering contract is one in which one party stands to gain from the loss of another. In the context of life insurance, insurable interest is a fundamental principle stipulating that the policyholder must have a legitimate interest in the continued life of the insured. When this condition is absent, the policy effectively becomes a gamble on the life of the insured, reminiscent of betting rather than a protective financial arrangement.

Unlike a valid contract, which upholds the enforceable agreement as long as all legal elements are present, a wager does not depend on a genuine risk to loss but rather on a chance event. Hence, without insurable interest, the core function of a life insurance policy is compromised, and it shifts into a realm similar to gambling, where one can benefit financially from an event that leads to another's demise without any rightful stake in that individual’s wellbeing. This distinction highlights the importance of insurable interest in the legitimacy and integrity of life insurance contracts.