Chapter 38Insurance, Wills and Trusts

Chapter 38Insurance, Wills and Trusts

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What is an insurable interest? When must an insurable interest exist?

Is an insurance broker the agent of the insurance applicant?

What are the basic requirements for executing a will?

What is the difference between a per stirpes and per capita distribution?

What are the four essential elements of a trust?

What is an insurable interest? When must an insurable interest exist?

Is an insurance broker the agent of the insurance applicant?

What are the basic requirements for executing a will?

What is the difference between a per stirpes and per capita distribution?

What are the four essential elements of a trust?

Learning ObjectivesLearning ObjectivesLearning ObjectivesLearning Objectives

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InsuranceInsurance

Insurance is a contractual arrangement for transferring and allocating risk.

Risk. Prediction concerning potential loss based on known

and unknown factors.

Risk Management. Involves the transfer of certain risks from the individual

to the insurance company by a contractual agreement.

Insurance is a contractual arrangement for transferring and allocating risk.

Risk. Prediction concerning potential loss based on known

and unknown factors.

Risk Management. Involves the transfer of certain risks from the individual

to the insurance company by a contractual agreement.

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Insurance TerminologyInsurance Terminology Policy (Insurance contract). Premium is the consideration to be paid to

the insurer. Underwriter (usually an insurance

company). Broker v. Agent.

Policy (Insurance contract). Premium is the consideration to be paid to

the insurer. Underwriter (usually an insurance

company). Broker v. Agent.

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Insurable InterestInsurable Interest

A person can insure anything in which he or she has an insurable interest.

Types of insurable interest:Life. Property.

A person can insure anything in which he or she has an insurable interest.

Types of insurable interest:Life. Property.

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The Insurance ContractThe Insurance Contract

Governed by the general principles of contract law, and regulated by the state.Application is an offer, which insurance

company can either reject or accept.• Acceptance sometimes conditional.

Need consideration.Parties need capacity.

Governed by the general principles of contract law, and regulated by the state.Application is an offer, which insurance

company can either reject or accept.• Acceptance sometimes conditional.

Need consideration.Parties need capacity.

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The Insurance ContractThe Insurance Contract

Application For Insurance.Effective Date.Provisions and Clauses.Interpreting Provisions of an Insurance.

Contract.Cancellation.Basic Duties and Rights.Defenses Against Payment.

Application For Insurance.Effective Date.Provisions and Clauses.Interpreting Provisions of an Insurance.

Contract.Cancellation.Basic Duties and Rights.Defenses Against Payment.

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Application For InsuranceApplication For Insurance

Filled in application attached to the policy and made a part of the contract.

Misstatements or misrepresentation can void a policy, specially if company can show it would not have issued policy if it had known the facts.

Filled in application attached to the policy and made a part of the contract.

Misstatements or misrepresentation can void a policy, specially if company can show it would not have issued policy if it had known the facts.

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Effective DateEffective DateBroker is agent for the applicant.Agent is agent for the insurance company. He can

issue a binder, if some consideration is paid, which will immediately bind the insurance company, depending on certain conditions being met.

Parties may agree contract will not be effective until policy is issued and delivered or sent to applicant.

Parties may agree policy will be binding, not be effective, until first premium paid, or physical exam passed.

Broker is agent for the applicant.Agent is agent for the insurance company. He can

issue a binder, if some consideration is paid, which will immediately bind the insurance company, depending on certain conditions being met.

Parties may agree contract will not be effective until policy is issued and delivered or sent to applicant.

Parties may agree policy will be binding, not be effective, until first premium paid, or physical exam passed.

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Provisions and ClausesProvisions and Clauses

Provisions Mandated by Statute. Incontestability Clauses. Coinsurance Clauses. Appraisal and Arbitration Clauses. Multiple Insurance Coverage. Antilapse Clauses.

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Incontestability Clauses Incontestability Clauses

State statutes sometimes provide that once a life or health insurance policy has been in force for a specified length of time, the insurer cannot contest statements made in the application.

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Coinsurance ClausesCoinsurance Clauses

If owner insures her property for at least 80% of its value, owner will be able to recover up to the face value of the policy.

If owner insures for less than 80%, owner will be responsible for a proportionate share of the loss.

If owner insures her property for at least 80% of its value, owner will be able to recover up to the face value of the policy.

If owner insures for less than 80%, owner will be responsible for a proportionate share of the loss. Amount of insurance recovery

Coinsurance percentage = percentage(80%) x Property value

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Appraisal and Arbitration Clauses

Appraisal and Arbitration Clauses

If insurer and insured cannot agree on value of property, an appraisal can be demanded.

Contract may also provide for arbitration.

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Antilapse ClauseAntilapse Clause

Policy does not lapse automatically upon nonpayment of premium.

Insured has a grace period of thirty or thirty-one days within which to pay the overdue premium.The insurer may be required to extend the insurance for a

period of time. Insurer may issue a policy with less coverage to reflect

the amount of the payments made.The insurer may pay the insured the cash surrender

value of the policy.

Policy does not lapse automatically upon nonpayment of premium.

Insured has a grace period of thirty or thirty-one days within which to pay the overdue premium.The insurer may be required to extend the insurance for a

period of time. Insurer may issue a policy with less coverage to reflect

the amount of the payments made.The insurer may pay the insured the cash surrender

value of the policy.

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CancellationCancellation

Insured can cancel policy at any time, and the insurer can cancel according to terms of policy.

Insurer must give written notice of cancellation.

Case 49.2: Westfield Cos. v. Rovan, Inc (2000).

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Defenses Against Payment

Defenses Against Payment

Insurance company can raise any of the defenses that would be valid in any ordinary action or contract:Fraud, misrepresentation.

• Not if information given was optional.

• Not incorrect statement of age.

Concurrent causation doctrine.

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WillsWills Will provides for a Testamentary disposition of

property by the Testator (one making the will). A will is the final declaration of how a person desires to

have his or her property disposed of after death. Die testate (One who dies after having made a

valid will) or intestate (without a will). Executor is a personal representative named in

the will. Administrator appointed by court.

Will provides for a Testamentary disposition of property by the Testator (one making the will). A will is the final declaration of how a person desires to

have his or her property disposed of after death. Die testate (One who dies after having made a

valid will) or intestate (without a will). Executor is a personal representative named in

the will. Administrator appointed by court.

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Types of GiftsTypes of Gifts

Devise: gift of real estate. Bequest or Legacy: gift of personal

property. Types of Gifts: specific, general, or

residuary . Abatement. Lapsed Legacies.

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Probate ProceduresProbate Procedures

Informal Probate Proceedings.Family Settlement Agreements.Small Estates.

Formal Probate Proceedings.Larger Estates.Guardianship appointment to a minor or

incompetent person and trust has been created to protect that minor or incompetent person.

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Requirements for a Valid Will

Requirements for a Valid Will

Testamentary Capacity and Intent. Writing Requirements. Signature Requirements. Witness Requirements. Publication Requirements.

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Revocation of WillsRevocation of Wills

Revocation by a Physical Act of the Market.

Revocation by a Subsequent Writing. Revocation By Operation of Law.

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Intestacy Laws Intestacy Laws

Statues of descent and distribution which attempt to carry out the likely intent and wished of the decedent.Surviving Spouse and Children, Not in-laws.Stepchildren, Adopted children, Illegitimate

children.Grandchildren.

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Surviving Spouse and Children

Surviving Spouse and Children

Surviving spouse usually receives only a share of the estate.1/3 if two or more children.1/2 if one surviving child.Entire estate if no children or grandchildren.

If no surviving spouse or child the order of inheritance is:Lineal descendants.Collateral heirs (if no lineal descendants).

Not spouses of the children, in-laws.

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Stepchildren, Adopted Children, Illegitimate

Children

Stepchildren, Adopted Children, Illegitimate

Children Stepchildren -- not considered children

of deceased. Adopted children -- considered children

of deceased. Illegitimate -- must prove paternity.

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GrandchildrenGrandchildren

Per stirpes.Method of dividing an intestate share by

which a class or group of distributees take the share that their deceased parent would have been entitled to inherit had that parent lived.

Per capita.Each person takes an equal share of the estate.

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TrustsTrusts

Trust -- A right of property (real or personal) held by one party for the benefit of another.

Trustee: holds property on behalf of the Beneficiary. Act with honesty, good faith, and prudence in

administering the trust and must exercise a high degree of loyalty toward the trust beneficiaries.

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Essential Elements of a Trust

Essential Elements of a Trust

Essential Elements:Designated beneficiary.Designated trustee.Fund sufficiently identified to enable title to

pass to the trustee.Actual delivery to the trustee with the

intention of passing title.

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Express TrustsExpress Trusts

Living Trusts. Testamentary Trusts. Charitable Trusts. Spendthrift Trusts. Totten Trusts.

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Implied TrustsImplied Trusts

Constructive Trusts.Arises by operation of the law in th interest of

equity and fairness.

Resulting Trusts.Arises from the conduct of the parties.