On August 10, David submits an application for a $250,000 life insurance policy but does not pay the initial premium. He completes the required medical examination on August 14. On August 20, David suffers a mild stroke and is hospitalized. On August 22, the insurer, unaware of this health change, issues the policy as a standard risk. On August 25, the producer visits David to deliver the policy. The producer collects the initial premium check but, observing that David appears to be recovering well, intentionally skips having David sign the Statement of Good Health to expedite the transaction. David subsequently dies from a second stroke on August 30.
Based on state insurance regulations, how will the insurer respond to the death claim, and what is the legal justification?
- AThe claim will be paid because the policy legally took effect on August 25 once the physical contract was delivered and the initial premium was collected by the producer.
- BThe claim will be paid because the producer, acting with implied authority, legally bound the insurer by accepting the premium and intentionally waiving the paperwork requirement.
- The claim will be denied because the policy never took effect; obtaining a signed Statement of Good Health is a mandatory requirement for coverage to begin when the initial premium is collected at delivery.Cevap
- DThe claim will be denied solely because David's silence regarding his stroke constitutes a breach of warranty, automatically voiding an otherwise active contract.