(1) A group life insurance policy shall contain a provision that any sum becoming due by reason of the death of a person insured shall be payable to the beneficiary designated by the person insured, subject to the provisions of the policy in the event there is no designated beneficiary, as to all or any part of such sum, living at the death of the person insured, and subject to any right reserved by the insurer in the policy and set forth in the certificate to pay at its option a part of such sum not exceeding $500 to any person appearing to the insurer to be equitably entitled thereto by reason of having incurred funeral or other expenses incident to the last illness or death of the person insured.

(2) If the insurer fails to pay the proceeds of or make payment under the policy within 30 days after receipt of due proof of death and of the interest of the claimant, and if the beneficiary elects to receive a lump sum settlement, the insurer shall pay interest on any money due and unpaid after expiration of the 30-day period. The insurer shall compute the interest from the date of the insured’s death until the date of payment, at a rate not lower than that paid by the insurer on other withdrawable policy owner funds. At the end of the 30-day period, the insurer shall notify the designated beneficiary or beneficiaries at their last-known address that interest at the applicable rate will be paid on the lump sum proceeds from the date of death of the insured.

(3) Nothing in this section shall be construed to allow an insurer to withhold payment of money payable under a group life insurance policy to any designated beneficiary for a period longer than reasonably necessary to transmit the payment. [1967 c.359 § 420; 1983 c.754 § 3]