In an accident and health insurance application, statements made by an insured are considered to be what?

In an accident and health insurance application, statements made by an insured are categorized as representations. This is because representations are the assertions made by the applicant regarding their health, lifestyle, and other relevant conditions during the application process. These assertions are considered to be true to the best of the applicant's knowledge but are not legally binding guarantees.

Warranties, in contrast, are statements or promises that are guaranteed to be true and can be legally enforced. If a warranty is found to be untrue, it may lead to the denial of a claim or even termination of the policy. Declarations typically refer to the specifics of the coverage itself as outlined in the policy documents, and affidavits involve sworn statements of fact used in legal contexts.

Therefore, representations strike a balance, allowing insurers to evaluate risk based on the applicant's statements while also recognizing that the information is given in good faith rather than as a guaranteed truth.