based on that do i only have to have insurance when i apply for the policy? Or the entire time of the policy?
There's a clear distinction between what the LAW requires, and what ALLSTATE wants to see from a risk management perspective.
The law requires a parent applying for insurance on a child to have 4 times the amount of insurance on the child (total in-force and currently being applied for). The policies are actually issued with an endorsement that clearly states that if it is found that at the time the policy was issued, the parent applying did not have 4 times the amount of insurance. The face amount of the policy will be reduced to the greater of 25% of the amount of insurance on the applying parent at time of application, or $25,000.
It is our belief that the 2 year contestability period does not apply to this rule. Technically speaking, if it is proven at ANY point that AT THE TIME OF POLICY ISSUANCE the applying parent did not have 4 times the amount of insurance on the child, the policy could be void ab-initio (from day one).
The big question is who might find out and when.
We are fearful that the huge influx of these policies, might prompt either an internal insurance company investigation, or a STATE REGULATOR investigation into these policies at some point (though we doubt it is likely to happen beyond 2 years out). That is why we are INSISTING that parents applying through us have at least 4 times the amount of coverage being applied for (only the applying parent is required by law). We don't want anyone to be disappointed down the road.
ALLSTATE wants to see the following in addition to State Law:
- No parent should be insured for less than the child
- All siblings should be insured for the same amount
- If grandparent is applying, amount of insurance on grandparent and on both parents
However, since these are risk management factors and not state law, it falls into a totally different category if trying to rescind a policy. I highly doubt that a REGULATOR would look into this, if anyone, it would be ALLSTATE looking into this. If they get the slightest pushback from a policy owner for whom they are trying to rescind a policy, they have to go to court. How likely is that to happen with the amounts at stake here???