The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1915-08-19

Follcy. MI. Taylor says tnat an
endless stream of inquiries and
complaints concerning loss
claims pour into the state insur-
ance department and that most of
them arise from the fact that the
insured has entered into an in
surance contract which he doesn't
understand, but which he blandly
assumes is what he thinks it
ought to be or what some care
less OF none too scrupulous agent
has represented it to be. Loss
occurs, the insurance company
denies liability and the trouble
begins.
Probably seventy-flve per cent
Of the complaints filed with our
department relate to the subject
of personal accident and health
insurance" said Commissioner
Taylor. "There is comparatively
little trouble with respect to life
insurance or life insurance, be-
cause of better statutory regula-
tions, higher ethical standards;
and closer supervision. For in
stance, we have in this state a
standard form of fire policy, and
all of these policies, though issu-
ed by many different companies,
are exactly alike so far as con-
text, provisions, agreements and
conditions are concerned. In the
same way policies of life insur-
ance must conform to certain
definite standard, although they
are easily susceptible to misre-
presentation and should not be
taken On faith, entirely.
But it is in the domain of ac-
cident and health insurance that
Misrepresentation, misunder-
standing, ignorance and stupid
ity run riot. In this state we have
no standard policy of health and
accident insurance, and very lit
tie in the way of statutory regu-
lation. What is needed more than
anything else, however, is bet
ter and more general understand
ing of the fact that many acct
dent and health policies are linz
tied in character-very limited,
some Of them. Indeed it may be
said of them that they are fear
fully and wonderfully made
picking up one Of these poll
cies the average man merely
notes that it provides, on its face,
for the payment of one thousand
dollars, say, for death resulting
from accident and disability ben
eft of fifty dollars per month.
The premium is only five dollars
per year-cheap as dirt. The man
buys the policy and goes on his
way rejoicing in the faatuous idea
that, come what may, he and his
beneficiary are amply protected.
He hasn't read his policy. He
doesn't know that it is subject
to all the limitations and condi-
tons herein contained He does
MT realize that the principal sum
will be paid for loss of life if the
insured suffers accidental death
while riding as a passenger in a
place regularly provided for the
transportation of passengers
within surface, underground or
elevated street railroad car-but
not if the passenger is standing
on the platform or in the aisle,
or as the resufllt of collision or
otherwise; or while riding in any
public (not privately automobile,
provided that the insured shall
not then be hired driver thereof,
and the injuries are received in
consequence of an accident to the
conveyance which renders it un-
able to proceed under it's own
power Note that last provision.
No matter if the insured is killed,
no liability attaches to the COM
pany unless the automobile itself
is put out of commission so that
it cannot proceed under it's own
power.
II might go on and show that
the insurance does not cover self
destruction, OF loss from injuries,
fatal or otherwise, of which there
shall be- no visible or external
confusion or wound on the exter-
ior ofthe body; or from injuries
resulting directly or indirectly
from intoxicants, war, riots,
strikes, fighting, wrestling, racing
football playing, unnecessary
exposure to obvious danger, etc.,
etc. OF course much the same
kind of limitations are applied to
sickness insurance.
Mind you, l do not mean to
say that these restrictions and
limitations are unreasonable, in
view of the small premiums
charged for the, limited policies;
but the public should be warned
that the coverage actually pro-
vided in these cheap policies is
mighty slim. There are other
forms of policies for which much
higher premiums are charged and
in which actual idemnity for loss
of life, limb, sight or time is pro-
vided.