SOLDIER-LIFE RISKS

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 150, 26 June 1915, Page 8

SOLDIER-LIFE RISKS

WHAT OF THE MISSING? Some young soldiers (also their friends) are anxious to know how they stand with regard to life and accident insurance. t From enquiries made by The Post to-day it appears that Australian and New 'Zealand offices are making no extra profit nn policies taken out before the war. That is to say, if a man was insured for £100 and his premium was £3 per annum he will pay that premium still and no more, notwithstanding the risk he runs of losing his life in action and the risk the office runs also in the insured engaging in the most hazardous occupation known. All policies, however, that have been taken out since the war began pay a war risk premium additional to the ordinary premium. This varies, and some offices are now^ charging up to £10 10s per cent. A wellknown Australasian office bears this condition printed in red upon all its proposals for life assurance :—: — " Active military or naval service (except solely for the local defence of the Commonwealth of Australia, and/or the Dominion of New Zealand and th© territorial waters thereof, against foreign attack), is not covered by the society under its policies, unless its permission is first obtained, and such extra premium is paid in advance (not exceeding £5 per annum per £100 assured), for such period as may be required by the society. Failure to obtain such permission and pay such premium renders the policy void." As hae been said, other offices are charging more than £5. It is understood that all of the English offices are not paying at all on policies taken out before the war. If he ia killed in battle his survivors are not able to claim at all, unless special and rather costly special arrangements have "been made. Under Australasian policies the money is paid on proof of death of the soldier, either by disease or by wounds. There is a doubt about the missing, and the Supreme Court may be asked for direction in this matter. Proof of death is required, and it is obtained from the military authorities— publication ' in a casualty list being insufficient evidence. The missing are not assumed to be dead. After the war it is probable that their survivors will be more favourably considered, as by then the question of whether the insured is dead or alive will probably be more definitely ascertainable than while fighting is still going on. Some life policies provide for payment for injuries and illness from specified diseases. These, it is understood, will not be compensated for if such are incidental to the war. For instance, smallpox, typhoid, and appendicitis are provided against, 1 and payment is made to the sufferer or others on his behalf during the currency of such diseases. The soldier who should contract such diseases while serving in other countries preparatory to going to the front and at the front, will not be able to claim from them. If he dies of them, however, or from any other cause, his survivors' claim to benefit will stand ; the money will be paid on death from any cause. Injuries involving incapacity, loss of [ sight, or limbs, if the 4 result of battle, cannot bo claimed as accidents covered by the insurance policies already referred to.

, A series, of Health talks will be given vi th« Vuvi Room* •vary Wednesday »(t«rnocn.