Would Your Life Insurance Policy Cover Death by Radiation Poisoning?
The aftermath of Japan's multiple nuclear reactor leaks that were caused by the recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan, combined with the heightened fear of an unstoppable wind-borne spread of radiation into other countries has some Americans asking, "Would death from radiation poisoning be covered by my life insurance policy?" Insurance experts say it would.
"The standard U.S. life insurance policy covers death by any cause at any time in any place, except for suicide within the first two policy years in most states or one year in some states," said Phil Young, life insurance policy analyst for Life Quotes Inc. "So, yes, death by direct radiation poisoning or death by an eventual cancer or other radiation complication would be covered by the typical comprehensive life insurance policy.
"In our experience, interest in life insurance always shoots up whenever there is a natural or man-made catastrophe in the news as is the case right now. Life insurance prices have also just dropped to all-time lows, which makes this an ideal time to shop rates and review your coverage. We recommend that each family breadwinner carry no less than 10 times their annual income and we recommend $300,000 for non-working caregivers or parents."