During the application process, what is the recommended way to correct a mistake made by the applicant when answering health questions?

The recommended way to correct a mistake made by the applicant when answering health questions is to have the applicant initial the change or start a new application. This practice ensures that there is a clear and documented acknowledgment of the correction made by the applicant, maintaining the integrity of the application process. By initialing the change, the applicant shows that they are aware of the adjustment and agree to the updated information, which helps prevent any potential disputes or misunderstandings in the future regarding the health questions.

Starting a new application can also be an option if the error is substantial enough and it's deemed more appropriate to ensure accuracy from the outset. This approach reinforces transparency and thoroughness in the application process, which is critical in the life insurance industry due to the implications that health disclosures have on underwriting decisions and policy issuance.

In contrast, other options like signing a waiver or adjusting the application without consent could lead to issues concerning consent and the validity of the information provided. Contacting the insurer for guidance is not inappropriate but lacks the immediacy and direct resolution that initialing the change provides.