In personal accident policies, what is the maximum period after an accident in which death must occur for a benefit to be payable?

In personal accident policies, a benefit is typically payable for death resulting from an accident if it occurs within a specified timeframe after the incident. In this context, the correct answer indicates that for the payout to be valid, the death must happen within 12 months of the accident.

This 12-month period is standard across many insurance policies as it allows for a reasonable time frame in which the effects of the accident could lead to death, acknowledging the complexities involved in some injuries that may not manifest immediate fatal consequences. This timeframe balances the insurer's need to assess and manage risk while providing adequate coverage for policyholders, ensuring that claims related to accidental death are processed fairly within a set period that reasonably correlates with the nature of accidental injuries.

This timeframe rule helps clarify the policy's terms and aids in avoiding complications that might arise from longer periods, thereby maintaining the policy's integrity and purpose.