Claims paid in the United States and Canada, $433,050,000.
Payments for premium savings and surrender values, and to annuitants, and in foreign countries, $253,650,000. Grand total, $686,700,000.
While the amount paid by the companies was more, the amount of ordinary and industrial policies written and revived in the United States during 1914 fell off slightly last year. Until the outbreak of war in Europe, the writing of life insurance exceeded the normal rate of increase.
The largest claim paid last year was on the policy of George W. Vanderbilt, whose residence was in Washington. The company that issued it reinsured $750,000 of the face amount. Mr. Vanderbilt carried the policy on the twenty-payment life plan for seventeen years. During that period he paid premiums to the amount of $595,000.