Which of the following would NOT be permitted as an exclusion in a life insurance policy by a state?

In the context of life insurance policies, exclusions are specific situations or causes of death that are not covered under the policy terms. Exclusions can often stem from risks that are deemed uninsurable or activities that represent higher personal risk.

The correct answer highlights a scenario where exclusion cannot be applied. Death resulting from a plane crash while the insured was a fare-paying passenger is generally covered under life insurance policies. Insurance companies typically recognize that fare-paying passengers are engaging in a reasonably safe activity, as commercial aviation has strict safety standards and regulations. Therefore, the risk is not typically considered insurable under the same circumstances that might apply to other high-risk activities, such as illegal actions or substance abuse.

In contrast, exclusions related to participation in illegal activities, such as engaging in a crime leading to death, or a death from a drug overdose, are more commonly accepted. These situations involve conscious choices that increase personal risk, making them suitable for exclusion within most life insurance policies.

Additionally, deaths resulting from high-risk activities, particularly if they are engaged in willingly and knowingly, often fall under exclusions in life insurance. This reflects the insurance principle of avoiding indemnifying losses that arise from inherent risks linked to individual behavior.

Thus, the scenario in which a fare-paying passenger