If both the primary and contingent beneficiaries die in a common accident, who receives the policy proceeds?

In the scenario where both the primary and contingent beneficiaries die as a result of a common accident, the proceeds of the policy would typically be directed to the insured's estate. The reasoning behind this is based on the principles of beneficiary designation and the legal framework surrounding insurance benefits.

When a primary beneficiary cannot claim the policy proceeds because they have predeceased the insured (or died simultaneously in a common accident), the benefits move to the contingent beneficiary as outlined in the policy. If both beneficiaries are deceased and there are no other contingent beneficiaries named in the policy, the proceeds would then revert to the estate of the insured. This ensures that the benefits are distributed according to the deceased's will or, if unspecific, according to state intestacy laws.

In this context, the only option that aligns correctly with estate law principles is that the policy proceeds would go to the insured's estate, not to specific family members such as the daughter or the wife's estate unless they were designated beneficiaries. The policy is not voided; it remains valid, and the proceeds are handled in a manner consistent with legal requirements surrounding beneficiary conflicts and estate claims. Therefore, the correct interpretation of the situation specifies that option A, the insured's estate, is the recipient of the policy proceeds in