33-20-115. Beneficiary -- industrial policies. (1) An industrial life insurance policy shall have the name of the beneficiary designated thereon with a reservation of the right to designate or change the beneficiary after the issuance of the policy.

(2) The policy may also provide that no designation or change of beneficiary shall be binding on the insurer until endorsed on the policy by the insurer and that the insurer may refuse to endorse the name of any proposed beneficiary who does not appear to the insurer to have an insurable interest in the life of the insured.

(3) The policy may also provide that if the beneficiary designated in the policy does not make a claim under the policy or does not surrender the policy with due proof of death within the period stated in the policy, which shall not be less than 30 days after the death of the insured, or if the beneficiary is the estate of the insured or is a minor or dies before the insured or is not legally competent to give a valid release, then the insurer may make any payment thereunder to the personal representative of the insured or to any relative of the insured by blood or legal adoption or connection by marriage or to any person appearing to the insurer to be equitably entitled thereto by reason of having been named beneficiary or by reason of having incurred expense for the maintenance, medical attention, or burial of the insured.

(4) The policy may also include a similar provision applicable to any other payment due under the policy.

(5) The provisions of 33-20-114(2) shall be incorporated into an industrial life insurance policy and are applicable as set out in that subsection.

History: En. Sec. 309, Ch. 286, L. 1959; R.C.M. 1947, 40-3815; amd. Sec. 150, Ch. 575, L. 1981; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 469, L. 1985.