What occurs in the case of a misstatement of age in a life insurance policy?

In the event of a misstatement of age in a life insurance policy, the amount of insurance is adjusted to reflect what the premium paid would have purchased based on the correct age of the insured. This means that if a policyholder incorrectly states their age on the application, the insurance company will calculate the benefits as if the policyholder’s age were accurately represented.

For example, if a younger age would have resulted in a lower premium and consequently a higher coverage amount, the payout will be adjusted to align with what the premiums would have bought if the right age had been disclosed. This approach ensures fairness in coverage and prevents adverse selection, where individuals might otherwise benefit from lower premiums by misrepresenting their ages.

This adjustment protects the insurance company from potential losses due to misinformation while still honoring the contract in a manner that is equitable to both parties, ultimately maintaining the integrity of the insurance system.