West Virginia Life and Health Practice Exam

An autopsy in the context of an Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) policy can be performed primarily when the insurance company deems it necessary to determine the true cause of death or dismemberment. This is especially relevant in cases where there may be ambiguity regarding whether the death or injury was caused by an accident covered under the policy.

However, while the selected situation regarding state prohibition by law is interesting, the correct answer pertains more to insurance protocol rather than state regulations. Typically, an insurance company has the right to request an autopsy to verify claims, especially if there are questions about the circumstances surrounding the death. This helps ensure that claims are valid and maintains the integrity of the insurance process.

The situation regarding a life-threatening illness is irrelevant because such conditions typically would not fall under an accidental death claim. Family requests can be significant but are often secondary to the insurance company's requirements. State laws may limit the circumstances under which autopsies can be performed, but this aspect usually relates more to legal proceedings and ethics rather than insurance policies themselves.