What must an agent do if an application is incomplete?

When an application for insurance is incomplete, the proper procedure requires that the applicant personally make and sign any necessary changes or additions. This is vital because it ensures that the information on the application is accurate and reflects the true intentions and circumstances of the applicant. By having the applicant make and sign these changes, it also helps to protect the integrity of the application process, maintaining accountability and reducing the potential for fraud or misrepresentation.

Filling in missing information on behalf of the applicant could lead to inaccuracies, as the agent may not be fully aware of what the applicant intended. Ignoring the omissions would not only violate ethical standards but could also lead to complications down the road regarding the validity of the application. Submitting the application immediately without addressing its incompleteness would be inappropriate as it could result in processing issues or denial of coverage based on incomplete information. Therefore, requiring the applicant’s personal involvement with amendments is essential in professional practice.