Question

Difficulty: EasyFraud and False Statements

Marcus intentionally answers 'no' to a question on his health insurance application asking if he has ever been treated for diabetes, despite receiving regular treatments for the condition. His specific goal is to deceive the insurance company and secure a lower premium rate. Under insurance law, what is the correct legal term for Marcus's intentional deception?

  1. A
    A physical hazard
  2. B
    An unauthorized application change
  3. C
    A warranty
  4. FraudAnswer

Answer

The correct answer is Fraud. Intentional misrepresentation of a material fact with the goal of deceiving the insurer to secure a lower premium fits the precise legal definition of fraud.
The correct answer is Fraud because it is legally defined as an intentional misrepresentation, deceit, or concealment of a material fact known to the person with the intention of gaining an unfair advantage or causing harm to another party. In this scenario, the applicant deliberately lied to secure a financial benefit.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the applicant's behavior in the scenario.
Marcus is deliberately providing a false answer about a serious health condition to secure a financial benefit (lower premium).
Identifying intent is crucial for distinguishing between simple errors and deliberate legal violations.
2
Evaluate the legal definitions of the provided options.
Fraud involves intentional deception for gain. A warranty is a guarantee of truth. A physical hazard is a tangible risk condition. An unauthorized change involves altering a document without permission.
Matching the behavior to the correct legal definition determines the answer.
3
Select the term that matches the scenario.
The scenario perfectly matches the definition of Fraud.
Marcus had clear intent to deceive the insurer for an unfair advantage.

Key Concept

Fraud in Insurance Applications
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