When must death occur for the death benefit under a PA policy to be payable?

The death benefit under a Personal Accident (PA) policy is typically payable if the insured person's death occurs within 12 months of the incident that caused it. This stipulation is essential because it establishes a clear timeframe within which the relationship between the accident and the outcome (i.e., death) must be established. This period allows for a reasonable time to determine if the death was directly related to the accident while also considering any potential delays in the manifestation of injuries or complications arising from the incident.

Considering the other timeframes mentioned, such as 6 months, 24 months, or 3 months, they do not align with the standard conditions generally outlined in PA policies. A shorter timeframe, like 3 or 6 months, might be too restrictive given the nature of some injuries that may take longer to result in death. Meanwhile, extending the period to 24 months may complicate the evaluation of claims by opening the door to uncertainties and difficulties in establishing causation after such an extended time. The specified 12-month period strikes a balanced approach, providing sufficient time for claims to be evaluated while maintaining a clear connection between the incident and the resulting claim.