Life application, underwriting and delivery practice questions (Massachusetts)
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Section III of the Massachusetts Life Producer exam, "Completing the Application, Underwriting, and Delivering the Policy," has 12 scored questions. [1] The outline covers signatures and changes on the application, warranties and representations, the initial premium and receipt, replacement, point of sale disclosures, insurable interest, medical information and consumer reports, risk classification, STOLI and IOLI, when coverage begins, delivering and explaining the policy, and contract law. [1] This page covers the parts Massachusetts law and the Division of Insurance address directly, with 10 practice questions.
Key points
- Misstatements on the application (M.G.L. c. 175, s. 186): a misrepresentation or warranty about the insured's health in a life application does not defeat the policy unless it is material and made with actual intent to deceive, or it increased the risk of loss. [2]
- Contestable period: the Division explains that once a policy has been in force for two years, the company cannot contest the claim as long as premiums were paid. [3]
- Material misrepresentation: the Division describes it as a failure to disclose a fact or condition that would have led the company to deny coverage. [3]
- Insurable interest: the Division says policies can be taken out by anyone "who is able to prove they have an insurable interest in the person." [3]
Practice questions
1. An applicant leaves out a minor health fact, with no intent to deceive, and it did not increase the risk. Can the insurer void the life policy for that?
A. Yes, any misstatement voids it
B. No, under Massachusetts law it must be material and made with intent to deceive, or have increased the risk of loss
C. Only if found within ten days
D. Only if the agent filled in the form
Answer: B. (M.G.L. c. 175, s. 186(b)) [2]
2. When is a notice of information practices due for a new application?
Answer: No later than the time the application for insurance is made. (M.G.L. c. 175I, s. 4) [4]
3. An insurer wants an investigative consumer report on the applicant. What must the applicant be told first?
Answer: That they may ask to be interviewed for the report, and that they can get a copy of it on request. (M.G.L. c. 175I, s. 7) [5]
4. Can a Massachusetts insurer require a genetic test as a condition of issuing a life policy?
Answer: No. (M.G.L. c. 175, s. 120E) [6]
5. An agent wants the policy dated a year before the application so the applicant rates younger. Is that allowed?
Answer: No. A life policy may not be dated more than six months before the original written application if that would make the applicant rate at a younger age. (M.G.L. c. 175, s. 130) [7]
6. Who can take out a life policy on someone else?
Answer: Someone who can prove an insurable interest in that person. [3]
7. How long is the contestable period the Division describes?
Answer: Two years. After the policy has been in force for two years, the company cannot contest the claim as long as premiums were paid. [3]
8. The policy is delivered. How long does the owner of a small individual policy have to return it?
Answer: Ten days from delivery, for individual life policies with a face amount under $25,000. The premium is refunded and the policy is void from the beginning. (M.G.L. c. 175, s. 187H) [8]
9. When is a misrepresentation "material" under section 186?
Answer: A misrepresentation is material if knowing it would have influenced the insurer in making the contract at all, or in estimating the degree and character of the risk. (M.G.L. c. 175, s. 186(b)) [2]
10. Can an investigative consumer report include information meant to find out an applicant's sexual orientation?
Answer: No. (M.G.L. c. 175I, s. 7(d)) [5]
Study tips
- Learn the two halves of the misrepresentation test in section 186: material and intended to deceive, or increased the risk.
- Keep the time rules apart: notice of information practices at application, six months for backdating, ten days for the free look, two years for contestability.
Practice more with the free Massachusetts Life practice test.
Prep Retention is independent and is not affiliated with Pearson VUE or the state.
Sources
- Pearson VUE, Massachusetts content outlines 122301 (effective July 22, 2026): https://www.pearsonvue.com/content/dam/VUE/vue/en/documents/publications/122301.pdf
- M.G.L. c. 175, s. 186: https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXXII/Chapter175/Section186
- Massachusetts Division of Insurance, Life Insurance Basics: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/life-insurance-basics
- M.G.L. c. 175I, s. 4: https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXXII/Chapter175I/Section4
- M.G.L. c. 175I, s. 7: https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXXII/Chapter175I/Section7
- M.G.L. c. 175, s. 120E: https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXXII/Chapter175/Section120E
- M.G.L. c. 175, s. 130: https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXXII/Chapter175/Section130
- M.G.L. c. 175, s. 187H: https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXXII/Chapter175/Section187H