Interstate Life & Accident Insurance v. Brown

Stolz, Judge.

The appellee sued the appellant insurance company for the accidental death benefits of a life insurance policy plus attorney fees and bad faith penalty. The appellee was awarded both policy benefits and attorney fees by jury verdict, and the appellant now appeals.

The policy in issue provides double indemnity for death "through external, violent, and accidental means.” The insured, an alcoholic, was placed in the Polk County jail on June 13,1973. He subsequently became extremely ill, suffering severe delirium tremens. On June 15, the insured got in the shower, turned on the hot…