What does the "entire contract" law in Alabama state?

The "entire contract" law in Alabama states that the policy and the application (or a summary) constitute the entire contract. This means that everything agreed upon between the insurer and the insured is contained within the policy document as well as the application for insurance. This principle is crucial because it ensures that both parties have a clear understanding of the terms and conditions of the insurance coverage, leaving no room for conflicting interpretations or additional verbal agreements that are not captured in the written documentation.

By including both the policy and the application, the entire contract approach protects the interests of the insured by ensuring that all representations made during the application process are legally binding. If a dispute arises, only the content of the policy and the application can be referenced, which helps to provide clarity and prevent potential ambiguities that could lead to misunderstandings.

This principle reflects the importance of documentation in contractual agreements within insurance, reinforcing that both parties should be aware of and rely upon what is explicitly written in their contract, which generally strengthens the enforceability of the insurance agreement.