保险受益人变更条款的法理阐释

Legal Interpretation of Clause of Beneficiary Change

对保险立法上关于受益人变更条款的理解,理论界与实务界分歧很大。立法规定的书面形式应该属于强制性规定,原因在于:受益人变更虽然属于被保险人与投保人的单方法律行为,但也涉及受益人与保险人利益。为尊重被保险人意愿,变更文件发送即生效;保险人未收到变更文件而向原受益人给付保险金的,不再对新受益人承担合同义务,但新受益人可以向原受益人请求保险金的返还。无论何种原因导致保险人未在保险单上做批注的,都不影响受益人变更的效力。

There are many differences between theoretical and practical circles on the clause of beneficiary change.Written form clause in the law should belong to mandatory regulation,because beneficiary change not only belongs to the insured and policy-holder′s unilateral legal act,but also involves the beneficiary and insurer′s interests.To respect the insured′s wishes,beneficiary change document is effective when it is sent.If the insurer has payed claims to the original beneficiary before he receives the document,his contractual obligations is released from the new beneficiary,but the new beneficiary can request the claims from the original beneficiary.Whatever the reason that the insurer has not made comments on the policy is,beneficiary change should be effective.