Armstrong Investigation

Inquiry conducted by a committee of the legislature of the State of New York in 1905 that looked at abuses of life insurance companies operating in the state. This study led to stricter supervision by New York and other state insurance departments. For example, many of the policies sold at that time contained language that made the receipt of benefits very difficult to obtain. As a result of the investigation, standard provisions were introduced into life insurance policies. While actual language is not dictated word for word by state regulatory authorities, a policy must provide minimum benefits (such as nonforfeiture provisions) expressed in acceptable language.