217Notwithstanding that insurance money is payable to a person, the insurer may if the contract so provides, but subject always to the rights of an assignee, pay an amount not exceeding two thousand dollars to
(a)
a relative by blood or connection by marriage of a person insured or the group person insured, or
(b)
any person appearing to the insurer to be equitably entitled thereto by reason of having incurred expense for the maintenance, medical attendance or burial of a person insured or the group person insured, or to have a claim against the estate of a person insured or the group person insured in relation thereto,
and any such payment discharges the insurer to the extent of the amount paid.