Accident and Health Policies.

Accident and Health Policies.
The simplification and broadening of accident and health policy coverages represented a marked advance by the private insurance companies and with the insuring public as the chief beneficiary of the changes. There was practically no increase in cost. Made on a country-wide basis, the revision was considered the most extensive to date in the nearly 100-year history of accident and health insurance. Specifically, five extensions of coverage were included in the revision program.
First of these was the substitution of 'accidental bodily injuries' in the insuring clause of accident policies to replace the former 'accidental means.' Second, a marked modification was made in the aviation exclusion. Formerly policies had completely excluded losses resulting from air travel, but such exclusion has now been narrowed down appreciably so that usual passenger hazards are covered. Still another beneficial change was the inclusion in the surgical coverage schedule of a provision for payment of all 'cutting operations' whether listed in the policy schedule or not.
In an effort to strengthen public relations, the accident and health companies have also improved the elective indemnity provision so that the policyholder can no longer jeopardize his position in making his elective choice. Thus, he was now given complete latitude so that regardless of his original choice he will receive what would ultimately have proved to be the larger amount under this benefit.
Finally, the companies broadened the optional life indemnity provision by stipulating that if the insured, after requesting weekly indemnity payments in lieu of fixed sums for loss of both hands, both feet or sight of both eyes, shall die before receiving weekly indemnity for 200 weeks, the balance of such indemnity remaining unpaid at the time of his death shall be paid in one sum to his estate.