Usually the contestable period runs from the date of issue, which is typically the same as a policy date. But the policy date is not necessarily the date of issue. For instance, if an applicant wants to “backdate” the policy to save age (i.e., obtain a lower premium by paying a premium for which no insurance was in force in return for continuing lower premium), the policy date could be as much as six months earlier than the actual issue date. The contestable period starts at the earlier policy date rather than the issue date in this case. (Most states limit dating back a policy to a six-month period starting at the date of the application.) Backdating is one way to provide incontestability to the policyowner and beneficiary at the earliest possible time.
Reproduced with permission. Copyright The National Underwriter Co. Division of ALM