2013 Mississippi Code
Title 83 - INSURANCE
Chapter 37 - BURIAL ASSOCIATIONS
§ 83-37-13 - Standard contract provisions

Contracts written under the provisions of Section 83-37-11 must first be approved by the commissioner of insurance and must be substantially in the following form and language; any variation thereof shall in no manner be less favorable to the insured than the form and language prescribed herein.

All policies written under authority of Section 83-37-11 shall contain the standard provisions hereinafter enumerated:

"STANDARD PROVISIONS"

"(1) The association will not be responsible for casket or any other funeral supplies or expenses contracted for by anyone unless authorized by the association, subject to minimum cash settlement hereinafter provided.

"(2) When this policy has been maintained in force for not less than two (2) consecutive months, there will be a grace period of thirty (30) days for the payment of any subsequent premium; and during such period of grace, the funeral benefit provided herein shall continue in force, provided all other conditions and stipulations herein contained shall have been complied with by such member or members.

"(3) This contract shall lapse, and the association shall not be liable for any benefits hereunder, when any premium payment on same is more than thirty (30) days in arrears; and in such event all premiums paid hereon shall be forfeited to the association.

"(4) If the contract is allowed to lapse, it may be reinstated by furnishing the association with satisfactory evidence that all members named hereon are in good health, and by the payment of the premiums required by the association, provided the policy is not over six (6) months in arrears. Acceptance of premium as of date of lapse shall reinstate the contract as of date premium is applied on lapse period.

"(5) No agent has the power on behalf of the association to modify this contract or to extend the time for payment of premium, the entire contract being that contained herein, together with the application thereof.

"(6) The association reserves the right to investigate within one (1) year from date of application all statements made in the application as to age or condition of health, and should any of the statements made therein be found to be false, the association's liability shall be limited to the return of all premiums paid hereon, and the policyholder shall forfeit all rights to the funeral benefits. All applicants must be in good health when this contract is delivered.

"(7) This contract shall be incontestable after one (1) year, except for nonpayment of premiums.

"(8) If death and/or burial occurs more than fifty (50) miles from any location of the funeral home named herein and should the beneficiary therefore deem it impractical for the association to service this contract, the association shall pay in cash to the member not less than fifty percent (50%) of the face value of the certificate to which the member is entitled or the full return of the premium paid by the member, not to exceed three-fourths percent ( 3/4%) of the face value of the certificate, whichever amount is larger. Provided, however, if premium rates of not less than ten percent (10%) in excess of the rates described herein are requested by the association and approved by the commissioner, the standard provisions contained in this paragraph may provide for a cash settlement up to one hundred percent (100%) of the face value of the contract. If death and/or burial occurs within fifty (50) miles of any location of the funeral home named herein, and the member desires to use a funeral home other than the funeral home named in this contract, the association's liability shall be the full return of the premium paid by the member not to exceed the face value of the certificate.

"(9) There shall be no liability to any person or persons insured hereunder if death should occur through self-destruction or suicide, whether sane or insane, within one (1) year from date of issuance of this contract, or within one (1) year from the date of any reinstatement. In the event of death by suicide or self-destruction, no return of premium shall be due under this contract."