Erie Family Life Insurance Company v. Tiffany Dawn Sampson, et al

Insurer brought a declaratory judgment action asking the court to determine the proper beneficiary of the proceeds of a life insurance policy rider insuring the life of the named insured’s child; the named insured had designated her mother as the beneficiary of the policy and rider. Upon the child’s death, the named insured was prevented by law from receiving the proceeds, and the insurer asked for a declaration of whether the named insured’s disqualification also prevented the named beneficiary from receiving the proceeds or whether the estate of the child would receive the proceeds, in accordance with the designation of beneficiary in the policy. The trial court determined that the policy’s designation was inequitable and awarded the proceeds to the estate of the child.  We have determined that the disqualification of the named insured from receiving the proceeds of the policy does not invalidate the designation of beneficiary and, accordingly, reverse the decision of the trial court.