When Was The First Life Insurance Policy Written? 
This is a great question and one that I just recently researched . It seemsan investigative reporter by the name of Ronald Kessler set out to answer this question . He wrote a book called The Life Insurance Game back in 1985 . He did discover definitive information that the oldest life insurance policy can be traced back to London in 1583 . The insured was a gentleman by the name of William Gybbon . Mr. Gybbon worked in London as a Salter of meat and fish used to preserve the meat . The company underwriting the plan was not clear , but the beneficiary was known to be Richard Martin . No one really knows their relationship or the face amount of the policy other than it was a one year term , but it is an interesting story . William Gybbons actually died near the end of the policy year . The underwriting company refused to pay the claim on the grounds that the contract was for a lunar year versus a calendar year . The courts ruled in favor of Richard Martin and the claim was paid . So , even 430 years ago insurance companies were playing the loophole card . Thank you for asking the question , I personally love these stories . 