What may an insurer require to determine the exact cause of death if death appears to be accidental?

When dealing with cases of accidental death, an insurer may require an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death. An autopsy, also known as a post-mortem examination, is a thorough and systematic examination of a deceased person’s body to establish cause of death. This procedure can provide medical insights that clarify whether the death was indeed accidental and can help resolve any ambiguity regarding the circumstances leading to the death.

While a post-mortem investigation could involve various processes, it is the autopsy itself that directly analyzes the physical condition of the body. Court testimony may provide context or support in legal matters, but it does not directly ascertain the medical cause of death. Witness statements might contribute to understanding the events surrounding the death, but they are not definitive in determining the cause. Therefore, the autopsy is the most reliable method for obtaining the necessary information that insurers require in such cases.