This appeal involves an asserted right to recover a twelve per cent penalty and attorney’s fees under Article 3.62 of the Insurance Code, V.A.T.S. 1 The principal question to be decided is whether The Franklin Life Insurance Company, respondent, had reasonable grounds for anticipating rival claims. We hold that as a matter of law it did not.
In 1950 respondent issued a policy of insurance on the life of John V. McFarland, who was about nine years of age at the time. The policy was taken out by his parents, Bernard and Gwendolyn McFarland, the latter of whom is petitioner here. Bernard was named in the policy as primary beneficiary, and petitioner was designated as contingent beneficiary. John married in 1962 and died the following year. His father predeceased him; he was survived by his widow and petitioner. Petitioner brought this suit against respondent to recover the amount due on the policy plus the statutory penalty and attorney’s fees. Respondent interpleaded Mrs. John V. McFarland, admitted liability for the proceeds of thе policy, and paid the funds into court. The trial court, sitting without a jury, awarded petitioner the money so deposited but allowed no penalty or attorney’s fee, and the Court of Civil Appeals affirmed.
Article 3.62 is penal in nature and must be strictly construed. Washington Fidelity Nat. Ins. Co. v. Williams, Tex.Com.App.,
Respondent advances two basic propositions in support of the trial court’s judgment: (1) that, in view of a letter received from Mrs. John V. McFarland’s attorney and the possibility that she might be entitled to part of the policy proceeds under the community property laws of Texas, it hаd reasonable grounds for anticipating rival claims; and (2) that petitioner never made demand for payment as contemplated by Article 3.62. The following is a chronology of the relevant correspondence:
September 3, 1963: petitioner’s attorney notified respondent of John’s death.
September 6, 1963: respondent sent petitioner’s attorney forms for filing the claim.
October 16,1963: respondent notified petitioner’s attorney that the completed claim forms had not been received.
October 29, 1963: Mrs. John V. McFarlаnd’s attorney wrote respondent advising that “we represent the wife of John Vernon McFarland, deceased, and would appreciate details concerning the amount and beneficiary, if any, of Pоlicy No. 884834.”
October 31, 1963: respondent wrote Mrs. John V. McFarland’s attorney that petition *380 er was the beneficiary of the policy and also furnished the name and address of petitioner’s attorney.
November 1, 1963: petitioner’s attornеy sent respondent the necessary proofs of death.
November 12, 1963: respondent notified Mrs. John V. McFarland’s attorney that the proofs of death had been received and requested him to obtain and furnish a release from his client. A copy of this letter was sent to petitioners attorney.
January 7, 1964: petitioner’s attorney wrote respondent as follows:
“Regardless of ‘your practice’, the contract and the law in Texas require that the proceeds of this policy be pаid to the beneficiary. Unless your check for the amount due under the policy is received forthwith or, in the alternative, we receive by return mail some valid reason (other than ‘your practice’) for withholding payment thereof, suit will be filed to recover on this policy, as well as attorneys’ fees which are authorized for this type of action.”
January 10, 1964: respondent replied as follows:
“I am sorry for the delay that has occurred under this settlement, but we have been waiting for a reply from Mr. Billy G. Alexander of Odessa who represented the wife of the .Deceased. In an effort to hurry along the disposal of the claim funds, I called Mr. Alexander and determined he no longer represents the widow as she recently called him that she had no need for legal counsel since there no longer was any family problems. Mr. Alexander stated it was his understanding the widow was living in your city and indicated we should have no problem in obtaining a Release from her.
“The form is enclosed for her signature, and when received here with the policy, our check payable to Gwendolyn McFarland will be mailed promptly. The total proceeds amount to * * *.
“If there is any objection to sending the Release and policy direct to us, they may be sent to the Illinois National Bank here in Springfield, and we will exchange the check for these items. Or, if you prefer that we have one of our agents call at your office and pick up the Release and policy in exchange for the check, we shall bе glad to make that arrangement.
“We agree that as beneficiary Mrs. Gwendolyn McFarland does have an interest in the policy proceeds, but the extent of her interest is certainly questionable under your Community Property Statutes when there is a surviving spouse. Claims of this kind are not infrequent in your state or in other states, where Community Property prevails, and it is seldom that we have a case where it is not determined that sоme part of the proceeds should go to the spouse. When the spouse is not brought into settlement, it is the opinion of our Legal Counsel that a Release of any interest she might have should be obtained for the Company’s protection against additional liability. We have followed this procedure for many years and without any difficulties; in fact, this procedure was discussed with your Texas State Insurance Deрartment in 1959 without any suggestions for change in it.
“We were at fault in not following this case more closely with Mr. Alexander, and when our check is issued to Mrs. Gwendolyn McFarland, we will include interest * *
The present suit was instituted on Februаry 6, 1964, and respondent filed its bill of interpleader and paid the policy proceeds into the registry of the court about four weeks later.
An insurance company which knows that rival claimants are aсtively asserting
*381
their rights is usually held to have reasonable grounds for withholding payment; it will not be subjected to the statutory penalties if the other conditions set out above are satisfied. Drane v. Jefferson Standard Life Ins. Co.,
Petitioner is the beneficiary named in the policy and as such would ordinarily be entitled to the proceeds thereof. See V.A.T.S. Insurancе Code, Art. 3.48. In that respect the case differs from Life Ins. Co. of Virginia v. Oldham, Tex.Civ. App.,
Respondent relies primarily on Murray v. American National Ins. Co., Tex.Civ.App.,
As previously indicated, respondent also contends that petitioner failed to demand payment as required by Article 3.62. The letter of January 7th makes it clear that petitioner was insisting upon payment and would file suit .unless respondent had some valid reason for withholding the money other than its practice of requiring a release from the widow. This constitutes a sufficient demand under the statute. See National Life & Accident Ins. Co. v. Dove,
The judgments of the courts below arе reversed, and the cause is remanded to *382 the district court with instructions to render judgment in petitioner’s favor for the amount due under the policy plus the statutory penalty, attorney's fees and court costs.
Notes
. “In аll cases where a loss occurs and the life insurance company * * * liable
therefor shall fail to pay the same within thirty days after demand therefor, such company shall be liable to pay the holder of such policy, in addition to the amount of the loss, twelve (12%) per cent damages on the amount of such loss together with reasonable attorney fees for the prosecution and collection of such loss. * * *»