The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1873-12-15
INSURANCE DEPARTMENT.
INSURANCE REVIEW.

INSURANCE REVIEW.
Pre-eminent among the insurance companies
of this continent stands the EQUITABLE LIFE.
This Society ranks at the head of the list of
all life insurance companies in the world, as re-
CARDS annual increase of business
With wise and responsible directorate, rep
resenting many millions of dollars, an accumula-
ted capital of more than t,oenty-taoo millions, in
vested in real estate, mortgages and United
States bonds and steadily increasing under
yearly revenue of more than nine millions of
dollars, the spectacle presented by the Equitable
Life Assurance Society, now but fourteen years
OF age. is truly astonishing, and attests the
great confidence the public have in its plan of
operations, the economy of its management, the
prudent but cautious liberality of Its systems
of insurance.
We wish to direct the attention of our read
ers to leading feature in the Company's bust
ness viz: In 1868 the Equitable Life As
surance Society first introduced the plan of
Tontine policies to the public. 1t would ap-
pear that during each succeeding year, up to
the present time, the new insurance issued by
this Society has been greater in amount than
that issued by any other company in the
world, and such has been the increasing popu-
larity of the Tontine system, that now nearly
one-half of the whole number of policies issued
by the Equitable Co. arc Tontine policies. This
fact shows that they have been con-
sdered from the first a desirable
form of investment, Nor has the public ex-
pectation been disappointed. for the Society
now reports that it has already earned and re-
served forty-four per cent on the premiums
paid on the life policies issued during the last
five years, and now in force, under the Tontine
plan.
This is indeed a successful result promising
well for the future, and showing the wisdom of
the Society in recommending the Tontine prin-
ciple of insurance to its patrons
The principle on which this form of insur-
ance is founded, is both simple and just. 1t is
the principle of surviving ownership-that the
entire benefits arising from the payments made
by the insured persons latter paying death
claims), including the accumulations of inter-
est on their payments, shall be given at GER
tain periods, to those only who survive those
periods, and keep their policies in force,
man may, and ought TO, insure his life in
the Ordinary way for the benefit of the family
which survives him. But by this plan he may
also insure his life for the benefit of himself.
This he does by paying the regular insurance
premiums in full during the whole Tontine pc
riod, which is ten, fifteen or twenty years, &C
cording to his own selection before the issue of
his policy.
Prior to the expiration of the Tontine period,
no dividends will be paid to him, but if, in the
meantime, he dies the Equitable Life Assur-
ance Society will pay to his heirs the amount
written in.the policy, which will be very large
return for the money invested.
Our leading life companies pay annually for
dividends and cash surrender values more than
for death claims.
By the T0ntine Plan these dividends and sur
render valaes are reserved ten, fifteen, or tsoenty
yders to the survivors soho tuyM their contracts
by keeping up their payments.
1t does appear exceedingly equitable that the
person who dies early, and whose family re-
ceives the face of his policy equal to profit of
100, 500, or even 5000 per cent. on the money he
has invested, shond not receive further sum
IN the shape of dividends; and that those who
continue to pay their premiums through long
series of years should have the benefit of the
accumulated dividezds il addition to the. face
of their policies respectively, giving them a
profit on their outlay someaohat appro1imating to
that Of those dying early. The 'Tontine-Divi-
dend System" aims among other things to &C
eomplish this equitable distribution of surplus
A months grace is allowed for the payment
of each premium, but after the expiration of
this grace (the premium not paid) the policy is
absolutely forfeited, and its proceeds applied to
fhah opa 6 x1oco Al
in force.
1t is evident from the experience of the Equi-
table Life Assurance Society during the past
five years, which we have already mentioned,
that the dividends on the Tontine plan will be
very much larger than they could under any
other form of insurance.
The Tontine plan is more likely to keep a
man insured, than any other plan, because it
not only accomplishes the noble object for
which life insurance was designed, but it also
appeals to bis desire for gain.
Having once taken his policy. he has made
an investment which common prudence tells
him he ought to maintain to the end. He
must pay his annual premiums No pains no
gains, is the sentiment of the con tract, and he
who really desires the rich results of a Ton
tine insurance will rapidly learn prudence,
economy and all those homely virtues which
are the true grace of manhood.
This system of insurance seems to be so ap-
Pile ,ble to certain classes of men that, like
many important discoveries in science and art,
the wonder is how it could have remained DOR
mant and undiscovered SO long.
Especial credit is due to the Society which
conceived the plan of collecting the Tontine
tendencies of men, and applying them to the
development of life insurance in this country.
While this system preserves the great and
benefcent object of life insurance, by securing
provision to the heirs of those who die early.
it also secures benefits to those who live long
and keep their policies in force for certain
length of time. 1t offers them an annuity, or
an insurance without expense during the ad-
vanced and Improbable years of life, when
enterprise begins to flag. enthusiasm is gone,
and the energies of youth are ended
The public endorse this company with yery
substantial appreciation.
ROBERTS & CLARK,
General Agents,
Is Exchange Street,
Portland, Me-
ST. MARGUERITE, to which Bazine has been