Wachtel v. Equitable Life Assurance Society of United States

The plaintiff is the beneficiary named in policies issued by the three defendant insurance companies, insuring the fife of her husband. The policies contain clauses, differing only in immaterial detail, providing for double indemnity to be paid upon due proof that the death of the insured resulted from bodily injuries caused directly, exclusively and independently of all other causes by external, violent and purely accidental means. The assured died on August 10, 1930. The companies did not dispute liability for the stipulated indemnity to be paid upon proof of the death of the insured. They…