What is an insurer ' s liability when it is discovered after an insured dies...

The correct answer is C . In life insurance, when the insured’s age has been misstated, the policy is not voided solely because of that error. Instead, the insurer applies the misstatement of age provision , which adjusts the amount payable to the amount of insurance that the premium actually paid would have purchased at the insured’s correct age . Since age is one of the most important factors in determining life insurance premiums, an incorrect age means the premium collected may have been too high or too low for the coverage originally stated.

If the insured understated age, the premiums paid would have purchased less coverage at the correct older age, so the death benefit is reduced proportionately. If the insured overstated age, the premiums paid may have purchased more coverage , and the benefit could be increased accordingly. This adjustment method preserves fairness to both the insurer and the policyowner by matching benefits to the premium that should have applied.

The policy does not become entirely unenforceable, and the insurer does not simply pay the full face amount without adjustment. Therefore, the proper liability is a prorated amount based on the correct age , making Option C correct