Atlantic Life Insurance v. Bender

The Atlantic Life Insurance Company, a -Virginia corporation, on August 30, 1917, issued to Fred W. Bender two contracts of insurance for $1,000.00 and $5,000.00, respectively. Margaret M. Bender, his wife, was named as beneficiary in both contracts. Fred W. Bender, the insured, died suddenly on November 14, 1923. Mrs. Bender asked for payments under the contracts. The company refused payment, except $384.00 nonforfeitable additional insurance, upon the ground that the contracts had lapsed and were not in force at the time of Bender’s death. Suit was brought on the policies by the…