The sum paid by a policyholder to keep an insurance policy in force is a

The term that describes the sum paid by a policyholder to keep an insurance policy in force is referred to as a premium. A premium is a regular payment made to maintain an insurance policy and can vary based on the type of coverage, the amount of coverage, and the risk associated with the insured. It functions as compensation to the insurance company for taking on the risk of potential losses and providing the contracted coverage.

In contrast, a claim relates to the request made by the policyholder to the insurance company for compensation or reimbursement for a covered loss. A deductible is the amount a policyholder must pay out of pocket before the insurance coverage kicks in, meaning it is not a regular payment but an expense incurred at the time of a claim. A co-pay is a fixed amount the insured pays for a specific service or prescription, generally in health insurance scenarios, and is also not related to keeping the policy in force. Hence, premium is the correct term for the regular payment made to maintain an insurance policy.