California Life and Health Insurance Practice Exam

Which of the following is NOT an important reason for a life insurance application?

1. The insured must sign the application before the insurer will issue the policy

2. The beneficiary must sign the application before the insurer will issue the policy

3. The applicant's health history must be disclosed

4. Premium rates are calculated based on the information in the application

The correct answer is: The beneficiary must sign the application before the insurer will issue the policy

In the context of life insurance, the primary goal of the application is to gather relevant information essential for underwriting the policy. Among the significant reasons for completing a life insurance application, the fact that an insured individual must sign the application is critical because it confirms that they are accepting the terms and conditions associated with the policy, thus allowing the insurer to proceed with issuing the policy. However, it's not necessary for a beneficiary to sign the application as a condition for the insurer to issue the policy. The beneficiary's role comes into play only after the policyholder's death when they are to receive the death benefit. Therefore, taking the beneficiary's signature is not a requisite step in the application process, making this point stand out as not a critical reason for submitting a life insurance application. The other aspects of the application process, such as the necessity for health history disclosure and how premium rates are calculated based on the applicant’s information, are undeniably important. These elements are pivotal for accurately assessing risk and underwriting decisions.