Application; attaching copy to policy; furnishing copy to insured; alterations; effect of false statements

Sec. 5. (a) The insured shall not be bound by any statement made in an application for a policy unless a copy of such application is attached to or endorsed on the policy when issued as a part of the policy. If any such policy delivered or issued for delivery to any person in this state shall be reinstated or renewed, and the insured or the beneficiary or assignee of such policy shall make written request to the insurer for a copy of the application, if any, for such reinstatement or renewal, the insurer shall within fifteen (15) days after the receipt of such request at its home office or any branch office of the insurer, deliver or mail to the person making such request, a copy of such application. If such copy shall not be so delivered or mailed, the insurer shall be precluded from introducing such application as evidence in any action or proceeding based upon or involving such policy or its reinstatement or renewal. (b) No alteration of any written application for any such policy shall be made by any person other than the applicant without the applicant's written consent, except that insertions may be made by the insurer, for administrative purposes only, in such manner as to indicate clearly that such insertions are not to be ascribed to the applicant. (c) The falsity of any statement in the application for any policy covered by this chapter may not bar the right to recovery under the policy unless such false statement materially affected either the acceptance of the risk or the hazard assumed by the insurer.