Last year, Ezekiel purchased a $100,000 life insurance policy and named his wife Jolene as an irrevocable beneficiary of the policy. Last week, Ezekiel returned home early from a business trip and decided to surprise his wife instead of calling ahead. He arrived at midnight and not wanting to wake her, entered the house from the back door and left the lights off. Not expecting the intruder to be her husband, Jolene stabbed him in the heart with a kitchen knife. She quickly realized her mistake and called 911. Unfortunately, Ezekiel died in the hospital from his wounds. The police deemed Ezekiel's death as accidental, and no charges were filed. Will the insurer pay the death benefit?
In situations where an accidental death occurs and the beneficiary is involved, the intent behind the act is critical in determining whether the death benefit will be paid. Since Jolene's actions were not intentional and Ezekiel's death was ruled accidental by the police, she did not willfully cause his death. According to LLQP guidelines, a death benefit is typically payable when the insured's death is accidental and not due to intentional harm by the beneficiary.
Therefore, as Jolene acted without intent to harm Ezekiel, the insurer will likely pay the death benefit despite her being the cause of his accidental death.
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