Which question can a life assurance company NOT ask on a proposal form?

• A. History of smoking
• B. Past hospitalizations
• C. History of mental illness
• D. Previous genetic tests

Answer: (A)

A life assurance company is typically restricted in the types of questions it can ask on a proposal form, especially those that pertain to an applicant's genetic information. While history of smoking, past hospitalizations, and history of mental illness relate directly to an individual’s health status and may impact the risk assessment for life assurance, inquiries regarding previous genetic tests can be highly sensitive and are subject to specific legal protections in many jurisdictions.

The prohibition against asking about previous genetic tests is primarily due to privacy concerns and the potential for discrimination based on genetic predispositions. Laws like the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) in the U.S., for example, help protect individuals from being denied coverage or charged higher premiums based solely on genetic information.

In summary, while questions about smoking, past hospitalizations, and mental health history are directly relevant to assessing an individual's risk for life insurance, inquiries regarding genetic testing venture into areas that are protected by law, making them inappropriate for a proposal form.