§431:10-208 Limitations on use of application as evidence. (a) No application for the issuance of any life insurance contract shall be admissible in evidence in any action relative to such contract, unless a true copy of the application was attached to or made a part of the policy when issued and delivered. A copy or reproduction of the application or medical examination, if any, may be used if clearly legible. This subsection shall not apply to contracts of industrial life insurance.

(b) If any policy of life insurance or accident and health or sickness insurance delivered in this State is reinstated or renewed, and the insured or the beneficiary or assignee of the policy makes written request to the insurer for a copy of the application for reinstatement or renewal, within thirty days of receipt of such request at any of its offices, the insurer shall deliver or mail a copy of the application to the person making the request. If the copy is not so delivered or mailed, the insurer shall be precluded from introducing the application as evidence in any action or proceeding based upon or involving the policy or its reinstatement or renewal.

(c) No application for insurance signed by the insurer shall be admissible in evidence in any action between the insured and the insurer arising out of the policy applied for, if the insurer fails to furnish the insured a copy of the application, reproduced by any legible means, within thirty days after receipt by the insurer of insured's written demand for a copy. This subsection also applies in instances when the application is signed on behalf of the insured and the reproduction request is made on behalf of the insured. This subsection shall not apply to life insurance contracts. [L 1987, c 347, pt of §2; am L 2002, c 155, §43]