Materiality of misrepresentation in obtaining policy

40-418. Materiality of misrepresentation in obtaining policy. No misrepresentation made in obtaining or securing a policy of insurance on the life or lives of any person or persons, citizens of this state, shall be deemed material or render the policy void unless the matter misrepresented shall have actually contributed to the contingency or event on which the policy is to become due and payable. History: L. 1927, ch. 231, 40-418; June 1. Source or prior law: L. 1907, ch. 226, § 1; R.S. 1923, 40-330. Law Review and Bar Journal References: Avoidance of policy for misrepresentation, Harry O. Janicke, 7 J.B.A.K. 23 (1938). 1953-55 survey of insurance law, Richard A. Barber, 4 K.L.R. 209, 212, 213 (1955). Discussed in note, 3 K.L.R. 361 (1955). Mentioned in discussing insurance law, Charles H. Oldfather, Jr., 9 K.L.R. 1, 2, 4 n. 20 (1960). Discussed in survey of Kansas insurance law, Charles H. Oldfather, 16 K.L.R. 605, 609 (1968). "Misrepresentation in Insurance Applications: Kansas Law," Stacy M. Andreas, 62 J.K.B.A. No. 4, 22, 23 (1993). CASE ANNOTATIONS 1. Section cited; statements in application are warranties, when. Green v. Annuity Association, 90 Kan. 523, 531, 135 P. 586. 2. When misrepresentations as to health will not defeat policy. Newton v. Insurance Co., 95 Kan. 427, 433, 148 P. 619. 3. Incorrect statement not fatal if made in good faith. Sharrer v. Insurance Co., 102 Kan. 650, 652, 171 P. 622. 4. Moral risk; whether misrepresentations affecting are within statute; application to health and accident insurance. Becker v. Surety Co., 105 Kan. 99, 100, 181 P. 549. Overruled as to "moral risk" rule. Hawkins v. New York Life Ins. Co., 176 Kan. 24, 269 P.2d 389. 5. When false statement as to having had certain diseases fatal. Hiatt v. Woodmen of the World, 107 Kan. 359, 360, 191 P. 472. 6. Fraternal benefit insurance; section does not apply. Glasgow v. Woodmen of the World, 107 Kan. 354, 355, 356, 357, 191 P. 470; Hiatt v. Woodmen of the World, 107 Kan. 359, 360, 191 P. 472. 7. False statement in application held material to acceptance of risk. Russell v. United Casualty Co., 123 Kan. 282, 285, 255 P. 65. 8. False statements in application held grounds for cancellation of policy. Hurt v. New York Life Ins. Co., 41 F.2d 392. 9. Section held not to apply to condition precedent to liability. Hurt v. New York Life Ins. Co., 51 F.2d 936, 937, 939, 53 F.2d 453, 454. 10. Paroled convict; misrepresentation in application held material hereunder. Dee Pee v. National Life & Accident Ins. Co., 144 Kan. 751, 754, 62 P.2d 923. Overruled as to "moral risk" rule. Hawkins v. New York Life Ins. Co., 176 Kan. 24, 269 P.2d 389. 11. Section applied in action to cancel policy after insured's death. National Reserve Life Ins. Co. v. Humphreys, 145 Kan. 373, 375, 377, 65 P.2d 296. 12. Section refers to original issue of policy not application for reinstatement. Brown v. Metropolitan Life Ins. Co., 146 Kan. 300, 305, 69 P.2d 1110. 13. False representation as to good health held material and policy void. National Reserve Life Ins. Co. v. Jeffries, 147 Kan. 16, 25, 75 P.2d 302. 14. False statement as to consultation with physician; section applied. Jackson v. National Life and Acc. Ins. Co., 150 Kan. 86, 90, 90 P.2d 1097. 15. Section applies to health and accident policies; misstatements held immaterial. Elliff v. Inter-State Business Men's Acc. Co., 153 Kan. 177, 179, 109 P.2d 92. 16. "Moral risk" rule as exception to statute repudiated. Hawkins v. New York Life Ins. Co., 176 Kan. 24, 29, 269 P.2d 389. 17. Statement that no previous application declined held material misrepresentation. Columbian Nat. Life Ins. Co. v. Rodgers, 93 F.2d 740. 18. Failure to disclose facts requested in application; insurer held not liable. New York Life Ins. Co. v. McCurdy, 106 F.2d 181. 19. Misrepresentation must have contributed to contingency or event on which policy becomes due and payable. Schneider v. Washington National Ins. Co., 200 Kan. 380, 392, 397, 437 P.2d 798. 20. Jury must determine whether the insured's medical conditions were material to the cause of death. Chism v. Protective Life Ins. Co., 290 Kan. 645, 234 P.3d 780 (2010). Previous | Next LEGISLATIVE COORDINATING COUNCIL General Policies 2026 Archived LCC Documents Archived LCC Meetings REVISOR OF STATUTES Archived Session Documents Archived School Finance Documents USEFUL LINKS Session Laws Kansas Administrative Regulations OTHER LEGISLATIVE SITES Kansas Legislature Administrative Services Division of Post Audit Research Department Contact Us PDF Help www.ksrevisor.gov 2026