If an insured commits suicide after six months of a life insurance policy, what happens to the death benefit?

In the context of life insurance policies, most include a suicide clause that typically outlines the treatment of death benefits in the event of suicide. In Texas, if an insured commits suicide after the policy has been in effect for more than the specified contestability period—often two years for life insurance policies—then the death benefit is paid in full. Since the scenario specifies that the suicide occurred six months after the policy was issued, it falls under the conditions set by the policy.

After the enforceable period, if the insured dies by suicide, the insurance company is required to pay the full death benefit amount, reflecting the company's commitment to honoring the policy as long as the insured has maintained the coverage and that the suicide was not within the initial two-year contestability period. The reasoning for this approach is that insurers cannot deny claims solely based on the method of death after they have held the risk for a period of time, reinforcing their obligation to provide benefits for risks assumed when accepting premiums.

For policies that do have specific clauses regarding suicide within the initial contestability period, it is important to note that if the suicide occurred within that timeframe, it would lead to the denial of the claim. However, in this scenario, because the act happens after six months, which