This refers to a period after your policy first goes into effect, during which your insurer is legally able to investigate and contest any claims made. The period usually lasts for a year or two after the start of the policy, but this depends on your carrier. So, for example, if the contestability period of your policy is two years, and you pass away a month after the policy’s inception, the company may wish to investigate to determine if there was any misrepresentation in your application. Once this period is over, the company cannot contest claims based on information provided in the application unless fraud is proven.