What is the primary source of underwriting in life insurance?

In the context of life insurance, the primary source of underwriting is the application. The application contains critical information provided by the applicant, including personal details, health history, lifestyle choices, and other relevant data that underwriters use to assess risk. This information is vital for determining the applicant's insurability and premium rates.

The application serves as the foundational document guiding the underwriting process. It allows underwriters to evaluate the likelihood of a claim based on the risk factors presented. While other sources such as medical exams, agent's reports, and inspection reports can provide supplementary information, they are typically used to augment or clarify the data found in the application. The application is where the underwriting process fundamentally begins, making it the primary source in evaluating the risk associated with insuring an individual.