Question

Difficulty: EasyCompleting the Application

During a final review of a commercial property insurance application, the handling agent discovers that the section requesting the business's previous mailing address was left entirely blank. What is the legally correct action the agent must take before submitting the paperwork to the insurer?

  1. Contact the applicant to provide the missing information and have them physically initial the addition on the application.Answer
  2. B
    Write in the missing address on behalf of the applicant without requiring their initials, since it is non-medical information.
  3. C
    Submit the application to the underwriter as it is, because unanswered questions are automatically interpreted as a negative response.
  4. D
    Sign an agent's addendum confirming the address and attach it to the application to save the client from an additional meeting.

Answer

Contact the applicant to provide the missing information and have them physically initial the addition on the application.
Any changes, additions, or corrections to an insurance application must be made with the applicant's full knowledge and must be initialed by the applicant. This ensures the integrity of the contract and confirms that the representations made belong solely to the applicant.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the missing information on the legal document.
The agent notes a blank section regarding the previous mailing address.
Applications must be complete before submission to the home office.
2
Determine the legal protocol for modifying or completing an insurance application.
The protocol dictates that the applicant must verify and initial any changes or late additions.
The application forms the basis of the legal contract and relies entirely on the applicant's accurate representations.
3
Select the action that aligns with this protocol.
The agent must return to the applicant to obtain the missing information and their initials.
Agents cannot alter applications themselves, nor can they submit incomplete ones.

Key Concept

Completing the Application: Corrections and Incomplete Applications
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