Read v. Sun Life Assurance Co. of Canada

What Happened
A worker died in a car accident, and his family filed a claim for accidental death and disability benefits through his employer-provided insurance plan administered by Sun Life Assurance. The insurance company denied the claim because the worker was intoxicated while driving at the time of the fatal accident. The family sued, arguing that Sun Life wrongly denied their benefits.

What the Court Decided
The court ruled in favor of Sun Life Assurance. The appeals court agreed with a lower court that the insurance company acted reasonably when it denied the claim. The court found that the insurance policy clearly excluded coverage for accidents that happen while someone is driving under the influence of alcohol, and Sun Life was within its rights to apply this exclusion.

Why This Matters for Workers
This case highlights the importance of reading your employer-provided insurance policies carefully. Many life and disability insurance plans have exclusions that can deny benefits if the death or injury occurs during certain activities, like driving while intoxicated. Workers should understand these limitations in their coverage and be aware that insurance companies can legally deny claims when policy exclusions apply, even in tragic circumstances.