How does the waiver of premium rider primarily benefit the policyholder?

The waiver of premium rider primarily benefits the policyholder by allowing them to defer premium payments while they are disabled. This means that if the insured becomes totally disabled for a certain period of time, typically defined by the policy, they do not have to pay the premiums for their life insurance policy. This is significant because it ensures that the life insurance coverage remains in force even during times of financial hardship due to an inability to work. Hence, the insured can focus on recovery without the added stress of maintaining their insurance payments.

In contrast to the other options, deferring payments during disability prevents policy lapses and protects the policyholder's beneficiaries by ensuring the death benefit remains intact. This rider serves as a safeguard, maintaining essential coverage when the insured's financial situation might be precarious due to their health condition.