R05 Life assurance claims: free practice questions

1. Question 1 of 5

   What is normally accepted by a life office as proof of death for a death occurring in the UK?

   Option A: A letter from the deceased's GPOption B: A grant of probateOption C: A solicitor-certified photocopy of the death certificateOption D: An original death certificate

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   The answer is D: An original death certificate

   Only an original death certificate should be accepted. Photocopies are open to forgery, and a grant of representation is not acceptable as proof of death.

   Why the other options are wrong

   A

   A GP's letter isn't accepted as proof of death.

   B

   A grant of probate proves title, not death.

   C

   Photocopies, even certified, can be forged; the original is required.

2. Question 2 of 5

   An own life policy that has never been assigned or placed in trust becomes a claim on the death of the life assured, who left a valid will. What proof of title will the life office normally require?

   Option A: A deed of assignmentOption B: A grant of probateOption C: Letters of administrationOption D: A statutory declaration by the spouse

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   The answer is B: A grant of probate

   The proceeds go to the estate, so the legal personal representatives must prove their title with a grant. Where there is a valid will naming executors this is a grant of probate; with no valid will it would be letters of administration.

   Why the other options are wrong

   A

   There's no assignment to prove here.

   C

   Letters of administration are for estates with no valid will.

   D

   A spouse's statutory declaration isn't proof of title to an estate.

3. Question 3 of 5

   A life assured disappeared five years ago in circumstances strongly suggesting death at sea. Must the family wait until seven years have passed before a claim can be considered?

   Option A: Yes; seven years' absence is always required before any claim is madeOption B: No; a court may find death proved sooner if the circumstances justify itOption C: No; the insurer must pay after two years' absence in any caseOption D: Yes; and the claim must then be reduced by the premiums unpaid

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   The answer is B: No; a court may find death proved sooner if the circumstances justify it

   An order presuming death can be sought after seven years' absence. Where the circumstances strongly indicate death, such as a missing ship, the court can find the person dead sooner. The Presumption of Death Act 2013 standardised this process.

   Why the other options are wrong

   A

   Seven years isn't always needed where the circumstances strongly suggest death.

   C

   There's no rule that insurers pay after two years' absence.

   D

   The seven-year period isn't mandatory, and there's no automatic reduction for unpaid premiums.

4. Question 4 of 5

   Kerry's policy excludes suicide within one year of the start date. She dies by suicide 20 months after the policy began. What is the likely position?

   Option A: The claim is refused, as suicide is never covered at allOption B: The claim is payable, as the exclusion period has endedOption C: Half of the sum assured is paidOption D: Only premiums are returned

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   The answer is B: The claim is payable, as the exclusion period has ended

   By excluding suicide only for a set period, the insurer implicitly covers it after that period. Death 20 months in falls outside the one-year exclusion, so the claim is payable.

   Why the other options are wrong

   A

   Suicide is excluded only for the set period; after it, suicide is covered.

   C

   There's no half payment; outside the exclusion period the full sum assured is payable.

   D

   The exclusion period has ended, so the full claim is payable, not just a refund of premiums.

5. Question 5 of 5

   A claimant says the policy document has been lost. Which of the following would a life office NOT normally do?

   Option A: Ask for a search of likely places, such as the bank or solicitorOption B: Request a statutory declaration about the lossOption C: Seek an indemnity from the claimantOption D: Refuse the claim permanently because the policy cannot be produced

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   The answer is D: Refuse the claim permanently because the policy cannot be produced

   A lost policy is inconvenient but not fatal, because the document is only evidence of the contract. The insurer investigates to rebut any constructive notice of a third-party interest, then usually pays on a statutory declaration and indemnity.

   Why the other options are wrong

   A

   This is normal: the insurer asks for a search of likely places such as the bank or solicitor.

   B

   This is normal: the insurer usually asks for a statutory declaration about the loss.

   C

   This is normal: the insurer usually takes an indemnity before paying.

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