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Question

Difficulty: MediumSignatures and Application Changes

Producer Jenkins is facilitating a life insurance policy to fund a corporate buy-sell agreement. The applicant and designated policyowner is Horizon Manufacturing, represented by its CEO, Sarah. The proposed insured is the company's Chief Operating Officer, Michael. After the paper application is fully completed and signed by both Sarah and Michael, Jenkins returns to his office and discovers that Michael's existing life insurance coverage was mistakenly recorded as 0insteadoftheactual0 instead of the actual 750,000.

What is the legally compliant procedure for Jenkins to correct this error prior to submitting the application to the underwriting department?

  1. A
    He should contact the applicant by phone to obtain verbal authorization, update the document in his office, and initial the change on the applicant's behalf.
  2. B
    He may utilize opaque correction fluid to conceal the error, write the correct figure in the blank space, and submit the clean document to the insurer.
  3. He must strike through the erroneous figure, enter the correct coverage amount, and have the applicant personally initial the adjustment, or alternatively, complete an entirely new application.Answer
  4. D
    He must submit the application exactly as signed, but attach a binding producer's addendum that officially overrides the applicant's mistake regarding the coverage amount.

Answer

The legally correct procedure is to either strike through the incorrect information, insert the correct coverage amount, and have the applicant physically initial the change, or to complete an entirely new application.
Once an insurance application is signed, it becomes a binding legal document. To correct an error, the standard legal procedure is to neatly cross out the incorrect information, write in the correct information, and have the applicant physically initial the change. This proves the applicant is aware of and agrees to the modification. If this is not feasible or the error is extensive, a new application must be completed.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the error on the signed paper application.
Jenkins discovers the incorrect existing coverage amount.
Producers must ensure applications are completely accurate before submission to underwriting.
2
Determine the legally compliant correction method.
Jenkins must return to the applicant to have the correction initialed, or start a new application entirely.
Any alteration to a signed legal document requires the explicit written consent (initials) of the party who originally signed it.
3
Avoid prohibited correction methods.
Jenkins cannot use correction fluid, cannot initial on the applicant's behalf, and cannot override the application with his own addendum.
These actions constitute unauthorized application changes and violate strict state insurance regulations regarding contract validity.

Key Concept

Correction of Application Errors
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Signatures and Application Changes

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