Accidental Death Benefit

The Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF) hereby provides that each individual member of a County Farm Bureau (“CFB”) who has paid dues to the CFB for the applicable membership year is entitled to the benefit for accidental death under the terms and provisions hereof. This is not an insurance policy.

If CFB membership is in the name of a partnership, or of more than one person, the first name appearing on the membership application shall be the member for purposes of this benefit. No benefit applies if membership is in the name of a corporation or limited liability company. Persons covered under this benefit include the CFB member, and if residents of the same household, his or her spouse, children of either by the present, or a former marriage, and adopted children of either, under the age of 21. After reaching age 21 no child is covered.

(1) Benefit Agreement

If any accident, which occurs while a person is covered under this benefit, shall solely and exclusively of all other causes, cause death of the persons listed below. MFBF will pay according to the Benefit Schedule shown below.

(2) Benefit Schedule

a) For the Accidental Death of: The benefit payable is:
Member $1,500.00
Member’s spouse $1,500.00
Member’s children, as defined above $ 750.00

b) An additional benefit of $150.00 accrues for each consecutive year that CFB dues are paid when due for the Member and Member’s spouse only but not for children. In no event shall the benefit with accumulations for any one person exceed $3,000.00. The party requesting the benefit has the burden of proving that the benefit is payable, the amount due and persons to whom due.

(3) Exclusions from Benefit

a) This benefit shall not apply if death is not solely and exclusively caused by the accident.
b) This benefit shall not apply to death caused by accident while occupying any vehicle which is required to be licensed under applicable state motor vehicle laws.
c) This benefit shall not apply to any death arising out of military activity occurring within a combat zone.
d) This benefit shall not apply if any person covered hereunder commits suicide regardless of whether the person is sane, insane, or mentally impaired.
e) This benefit shall not apply to death, which occurs during, or is the direct or indirect result of injuries incurred during the commission of a felony by a person covered hereunder.

(4) Effective Date of Benefit

This benefit shall be in effect for one year from the date a CFB member first pays CFB dues and each year thereafter when dues are paid when due on each anniversary date thereof. If dues are not timely paid, all benefits accrued prior thereto shall be forfeited. If dues are paid after they are due, all accumulations to the basic benefit accrued prior thereto are forfeited.

Written notice of the accidental death upon which a benefit is to be based must be given to MFBF by notice within 90 days after the date of death. MFBF shall then furnish to the claimant(s) the benefit request form. Said form must be completed and returned within 30 days from the date it is sent. Upon receipt of the benefit request form, MFBF shall respond to the benefit request within 45 days unless it requests additional information.

Failure to furnish such notice or benefit request form within the time required shall not invalidate nor reduce any claim if it shall be shown not to have been reasonably possible to furnish such notice or proof within the required time and that notice or proof was furnished as soon as was reasonably possible.

(5) Payment of Benefit

MFBF may at its option pay any benefits hereunder in a single sum to any one of the following persons: (1) to spouse of the deceased; (2) to children of the deceased, their natural or legal guardian; (3) to executor or administrator of the deceased; or (4) to decedent’s heirs at law. Delivery of payment to any one of the above shall, to the extent thereof, release MFBF from all further liability.

(6) Waiver of Right to Sue

Any party making a benefit request hereunder waives his or her right to bring an action in law or equity to recover hereunder but the sole means by which benefit requests may be decided are by arbitration as provided herein. No amount other than shown in the Benefit Schedule shall be recoverable or paid hereunder.

(7) Assignments

The benefits provided hereunder are not assignable.

(8) Arbitration

Questions of whether a death is accidental, the amount of benefit payable hereunder or the persons or persons entitled to receive it shall be heard and decided by arbitration pursuant to §11-15-1 thru 37, Miss. Code of 1972 Ann., or, if the parties making a benefit request desire, by any person that the parties may agree to in writing. Such decision by an arbitrator shall be binding on all parties and shall be final. The party against whom the arbitrator(s) rule shall pay the fees of the arbitrator(s). If the parties are unable or unwilling to agree to an arbitrator, MFBF shall have the right, but not the duty, to tender the amount payable, if any, into a court of competent jurisdiction by interpleader which shall absolve it of any further duty or liability.

For more information, contact Nancy Britt at 601-977-4230