Western Reserve Life Insurance v. Meadows

The controlling question is: Did the accidental death of the insured on August 23, 1951, occur “in time of war”.

Petitioner Western Reserve Life Insurance Company on October 6, 1932, issued to Benjamin Earle Meadows five policies, each insuring his life for $1,000.00 and naming as beneficiary his wife, respondent Jennie Louise Davidson Meadows. Attached to each policy as a part of it was a supplemental contract providing for payment to the beneficiary of the additional sum of $1,000.00 in the event of death of the insured by accidental means. The supplemental contract contains the following:…