Texas Life Agent Practice Exam

What does the Misstatement of Age provision allow the insurer to do?

1. Cancel the policy immediately

2. Adjust benefits based on correct age

3. Increase the premium charges

4. Void the policy retroactively

The correct answer is: Adjust benefits based on correct age

The Misstatement of Age provision is included in insurance policies to address situations where the insured has incorrectly stated their age during the application process. The correct answer highlights that the insurer is permitted to adjust benefits based on the accurate age of the insured. If an individual misstates their age, and it is subsequently discovered, the insurer will compute the benefits as if the correct age had been provided originally. This means that if an insured's age is found to be greater than what was stated, the benefits might be reduced to reflect what the policy would have provided had the insurer known the true age at the time of underwriting. Conversely, if the age is found to be less than stated, the insurer may increase benefits. This provision ensures fairness for both the insurer and the insured by allowing the policy to reflect the correct underwriting assumptions, which are heavily reliant on the age of the insured, as age can significantly impact risk assessment and premium pricing. Adjusting benefits is a more equitable solution than outright cancellation of the policy or retroactive voiding, which would unfairly penalize the policyholder for a simple error.