For an insurance policy to be legally binding, four essential elements must exist: (1) offer and acceptance, (2) consideration, (3) competent parties, and (4) legal purpose. Consideration refers to the exchange of value: the applicant’s premium and representations in the application, and the insurer’s promise to pay benefits. Exact extract: “Consideration is the value each party gives to the other: the insured provides premiums and truthful statements, while the insurer provides the promise of benefits.” Without consideration, a contract cannot be enforced.