Which policy feature is intended to ensure continued protection despite policy alterations?

The feature intended to ensure continued protection despite policy alterations is non-forfeiture options. These options are specifically designed for situations when a policyholder stops paying premiums or makes certain changes to their policy. Non-forfeiture options provide guaranteed benefits that the policyholder can access, ensuring that they do not completely lose their coverage or value accrued in the policy.

For instance, if a policyholder decides to stop making premium payments, a non-forfeiture option might allow them to convert their whole life insurance policy into a paid-up policy, where the policy remains in force but with a reduced benefit. This is an essential safeguard for policyholders to maintain some level of insurance protection even after changes in their circumstances or choices regarding their policy.

Other features, such as riders, policy renewals, and premium adjustments, do not specifically address the concern of maintaining coverage after alterations to the policy. Riders may add benefits or coverage but do not guarantee protection when changes are made to the main policy. Policy renewals typically pertain to continuing coverage at the end of a specified term, while premium adjustments are more about changing the cost rather than about ensuring continued protection.