When my father died in 2003, he had two policies taken out by his mum when he enlisted inthe army in 1939 (don't know why she did as he was already married, perhaps as her husband had died and left her with young children she was thinking of the future). Anyway, they were with two different companies, can't remember who though, but what I do know is that one company paid up over £1000, having added interest for the years the policy was valid, whereas the other skinflint company just paid the minimum possible about £14! Unfortunately, the skinflint company paid first, so I just thought that was the amount due and banked it. If the other company had paid out first, I would certainly have queried the small amount, but having accepted it there was nothing we could do.
Lizzie