Montana State Life Insurance Practice Exam

What occurs if a person was not given a notice to convert at least 15 days prior to the group policy expiration date?

1. They lose their right to convert

2. They will be given additional periods to exercise their right to conversion

3. They must reapply for insurance

4. They can appeal to the Commissioner

The correct answer is: They will be given additional periods to exercise their right to conversion

When a person is not given a notice to convert at least 15 days before the expiration of a group policy, it is significant because it extends their rights regarding conversion. The notice is a crucial element that allows the insured individual to transition from group coverage to an individual policy without needing to provide evidence of insurability. If the required notice is not provided, the individual is usually granted additional time to exercise their conversion rights. This ensures that individuals do not lose their coverage options simply due to the insurer's failure to provide timely information about their rights. In this context, the focus is on protecting the policyholder's right to maintain coverage. The regulation generally stipulates that missing the 15-day window does not nullify the individual's right to convert their policy; rather, they may be entitled to an extended period beyond the initial expiration date provided that they were not adequately notified. This ruling is intended to safeguard consumer rights in the insurance space. The other options do not align with the regulatory intent behind notification requirements, as not receiving a notice doesn't result in a loss of rights or necessitate a reapplication process for insurance, nor does it create a scenario where an appeal to the Commissioner would be necessary.