Says Army Helo Pilot's Policy Not Effective Until Two Days After Death

The Tennessee widow of a special forces helicopter pilot killed in Afghanistan says his insurance company now refuses to pay up. Now, she's suing the Military Benefit Association Inc. and the Government Personnel Mutual Life Insurance Co. in a Nashville federal court.

Mark O'Steen was killed in a training accident January 30th, 2003 while in Afghanistan. The pilot, who went to Afghanistan with the Army's 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment -- the "Night Stalkers" -- bought insurance before being shipped overseas from Fort Campbell (KY). The first payment was deducted from his January 31st paycheck and was made even after the accident. But the insurance company says the $250,000 policy wasn't in effect until two days after O'Steen was killed.

"The O'Steens told the defendants' agent that Mr. O'Steen was going overseas in mid-January of 2003 and needed coverage to be in effect immediately," Amy O'Steen's lawsuit says.

She says the agent told them the insurance would be effective as long as they set up payments on a direct deposit basis from O'Steen's military paycheck.

But the insurance company says it's all there in black and white, signed an initialed in the right places by the Osteens themselves. Government Personnel Mutual Life says O'Steen's death was "unfortunate," but that his widow has no case.

Amy O'Steen has three children. Her husband was killed serving his third tour of duty in Afghanistan.

FMI: www.gpmlife.com