論要保人變更受益人之生效時點Some Legal Issues on the Beneficiary Change

摘要
　　我國保險實務中常於保險契約中約定，要保人得以書面方式通知保險人變更受益人，此書面通知是否需須經保險人受領、同意或批註始生效力，有深論之必要。本文於分析受益人變更制度並參酌美國、日本與大陸法制後，基於尊重要保人變更受益人意願並考量受益人變更屬要保人單方形成權等理由，建議主管機關應參酌日本保險法第43條與美國法「實質遵從原則」之規定，儘速修正我國保險法或相關示範條款，明定要保人通知保險人變更受益人生效時點以受益人變更申請書到達保險人後，追溯至該意思表示發出時生效，以避免再有憾事發生。
關鍵字：受益人指定與變更、受益人變更方式、實質遵從原則
Abstract
　　In Taiwan, it is not necessary for the policyholder to make an application for endorsement or consent to change of beneficiary from insurers. The Supreme Court has opinions that the change of beneficiary is valid, when insurers receive the notice of change of beneficiary in writing before the assured die. Under Japanese Insurance Act, the beneficiary change will be effective retroactive to the time that the policyholder sent the application of beneficiary change. In U. S. A., the court will hold that the change of beneficiary is effective if policyholder does everything possible to comply with the beneficiary change procedure set forth in the policy but has failed because of circumstances beyond her control. Therefore, this article offers some suggestions and recommends that the “Life Insurance Model Policy” should be revised.
Keywords: beneficiary designations and changes, methods of beneficiary change, doctrine of substantial compliance