Library Collections: Document: Full Text

14. Q. Can I have the benefits paid in a lump sum?

A. No; benefits can only be paid in 240 monthly installments.

15. Q. Does it pay for death or total and permanent disability from illness as well as injury?

A. Yes.

10. Q. Must the injury or illness be suffered while in the line of duty?

A. No: insurance protection is not limited by any provision as to line of duty. This is in direct contrast to the rights as to compensation. (See questions 3 and 4.)

17. Q. Must the injury or illness be suffered while in the service? A. No: if you continue to pay premiums you are protected, even though you may leave the service.

18. Q. If payment of premium is not made on the exact day when it falls due will insurance lapse?

A. No; it is subject to 31 days grace, during which time it will remain in full force and effect.

19. Q. If insurance lapses, can I have it revived or reinstated?

A. Yes; at any time within six months after lapse, on compliance with the terms and conditions as may be specified in the regulations of the Bureau.

20. Q. If I leave the service, do I lose my insurance?

A. No; you may carry insurance with the Government even though you leave the service, but in order to do so you must change to another form within five years after the close of the war.

THE APPLICATION.

21. Q. What must I do to become insured?

A. Make written aplication (sic), stating your name, military organization, date of last entry into active service, age, the amount of insurance desired, and if you wish to name persons to whom you wish it paid in the event of death, give the name of such beneficiaries, using their given name. Example: Jane Elizabeth Smith, do not write it Mrs. John Smith, or Mrs. J. E. Smith.

22. Q. Will application blanks be furnished?

A. Yes. They may be procured from the Bureau of War-Risk Insurance, Washington, D. C.; from your commanding officer; or the insurance officer of your organization.

23. Q. Must I name a beneficiary?

A. You need not name a beneficiary. The law provides that where no beneficiary is named the insurance, in case of death, will be paid to those in the permitted class who would be entitled to your personal property should you die without making a will.

24. Q. If I do not name a beneficiary now may I do so later?

A. Yes; at any time by written designation sent to the Bureau of War-Risk Insurance, Washington, D. C.

THE PREMIUM.

25. Q. What will it cost?

A. See table of rates on last page.

26. Q. How much can I take?

A. Any amount from $1,000 to $10,000 (in multiples of $500).

27. Q. For how long will the privilege of taking insurance last? A. For only 120 days after enlistment or entry into active service unless you were in the service on October 15, 1917, in which event you may apply at any time within 120 days from that date. The last day of which 120 days is February 12, 1918.

28. Q. If I take less than $10,000, can I increase it after my 120 days have expired?

A. No; you can only apply within the 120 days and can not increase your insurance after that time. Up to that time you may increase it to not more than $10,000.

29. Q. If I take $10,000 or any other amount, can I drop part of it at any time?

A. Yes.

30. Q. How can my premiums be paid?

A. By deduction from your pay, by deduction from any deposit with the Government, or paid direct to the bureau by yourself or some one for you. To avoid lapse it is recommended that deduction from pay be authorized.

31. Q. For how long must my premium be paid in advance?

A. You may pay monthly or for any longer period.

32. Q. Will my premium always be the same?

A. No; it increases annually in accordance with premium table (question 25, see last page) until you change to another form after the war, when the premium will depend upon the plan then chosen.

THE PLAN OF INSURANCE.

33. Q. What form of insurance is it?

A. Annual renewable term insurance for the period of the war. Change to the usual forms of insurance on some other plan may be made within five 5^ears after the close of the war.

34. Q. Can I carry my insurance after the war?

A. Yes, in its present form for a period of live years, but within such five years you must change it to another form which can be done without regard to your then physical condition. No medical examination will be required for the change.

35. Q. Will the permanent insurance after the war continue with the Government?

A. Yes.

36. Q. How are the expenses of handling the insurance paid?

A. By the Government.

37. Q. Will the cost to me be increased by the losses due to war?

A. No. Any losses in excess of premiums received will he borne by the Government.

38. Q. What form of insurance can I change to after the war?

A. Usual forms, including ordinary life, 20-payment life, and endowment.

39. Q. Has this insurance during the war a cash value or loan value?

A. No.

40. Q. Will permanent forms of insurance after the war have cash and loan values?