Chapter 10 Flashcards
Are life insurance contracts required by general rules of contract law to be written to be valid?
no, but laws in many states require insurance contracts to be written.
What 4 requirements must be met, in order to form an informal contract?
- the parties must mutually assent to the contract
- they must exchange legally adequate consideration
- they must have contractual capacity
- the contract must be for a lawful purpose.
how does one characterize an informal contract?
requires no special formalities to be valid
how does one characterize a unilateral contract?
- only one party - the insuere- makes legally enforceable promises
how does one characterize an aleatory contract?
one party- the policy owner- provides something of value to another party- the insuere- in exchange for a conditional promise
how does one characterize a contract of adhesion?
one party- the insurer- prepares and that the other party- the applicant- must accept or reject as a whole without any bargaining between the parties
How can the insurer accept an applicants offer?
- by issuing the policy that contains the same terms as those stated in the applicant’s offer
- delivering the policy to the applicant
How can an applicant accept an insurer’s counter offer? (ie in substandard assessments)
by accepting delivery of the policy and agreeing to the new contract terms that the insurer propsed.
When can an offeror withdraw his offer?
any time before the offerre has accepted the offer.
What is the minor age at which they may enter into a valid and binding insurance contract?
14-16 depending on the state
Who are the typical beneficiaries of a minor’s life insurance?
usually the minor’s parents or legal guardian, spouse, child, brother or sister
In common law provinces in Canada, an insurable interest exist between a person and who?
1) his children and grandchildren
2) spouses
3) anyone who contributes to his support or education
In Quebec, an insurable interest exist between a person and who?
- his spouse
- his descendants, his spouses’ decedents
- any one who contributes to his support or education
In malaysia an insurable interrest exist between a person and
1) spouse and his child or ward under age of majority
2) his employee
3) a person on whom he is wholly or partly dependent
Name some examples of business relationships that create an insurable interest
- partners of the bussiness
- employer to key person
- creditor into its debtors
Name some insurance law exceptions to consent requirements on insurance policies issued on insured’s. (ie who doesnt need consent) (3)
- parent > minor child
- spouse > spouse (some states)
- employers > employees (some states)
Insurance policies typically do not become effective until what 2 requirements are met? (think delivery)
- its delivered to the policyowner
2. the initial premium is paid.
What is a constructive delivery?
occurs when the policy was delivered and never actually reached the policy owner. The courts would still consider the policy to have been delivered.
What is the free look provision?
a 10 day period following delivery of the policy within which to cancel the policy and recieve a premium refund.
define what is in an entire contract provision
this defines the documents that consitute the contract between the insurer and the policy owner. The wording defines a closed vs. open contract