The same year that New York Life was founded, Edward F. Test, a 32-year-old clerk from Mobile, became the first New York Life policy owner in Alabama. Mr. Test took out a $5,000 life insurance policy with the Company on November 11, 1845. A year later, Mr. Test died of “compression of the heart,” and the full amount of his policy was paid to his estate. This was the Company's first death benefit payment in Alabama and the second death loss case for the entire Company. Mr. Muldon, a general agent who represented the Company in Alabama for more than 20 years, issued the claim on Mr. Test.
During the Civil War, many Southern policy owners feared that because of their allegiance to the Confederacy, claims made on their policies would be voided. In 1865, the Company's trustees voted to pay losses that occurred during the Civil War, and to renew Southern policies on payment of back premiums.
Of the first 1,000 death claims paid by New York Life, 10 were sold in Alabama. Many early deaths were caused by the hazards of yellow fever and other illnesses. As a result, in 1859, New York Life charged an extra premium of 2% for residence in Mobile and raised it to 3% in 1866.
The first branch office in Alabama was opened in Birmingham in 1902, followed by Mobile in 1904, and Montgomery in 1916.
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