Rumbin v. Utica Mutual Insurance
Supreme Court of Connecticut
757 A.2d 526 (2000)
Rumbin (plaintiff) settled a personal injury claim with Utica Mutual Insurance Co. (Utica) (defendant) through a structured settlement funded by an annuity from Safeco Life Insurance Company (Safeco) (defendant), providing a lump sum plus payments over fifteen years. The annuity contract included an antiassignment clause stating that no payment could be assigned by Rumbin. When Rumbin later faced financial difficulties, he sought a declaratory judgment allowing him to sell his rights under the settlement to J.G. Wentworth. The trial court ruled in Rumbin's favor, and Safeco appealed.
Whether, under Connecticut law, a party to an annuity contract may assign the right to payment under the contract if there is an antiassignment clause.