Aetna Life Insurance v. Reed

On May 22, 1922, the petitioner, Aetna Life Insurance Company, issued a life insurance policy for $25,000 to David C. Reed, with Laura M. Reed, respondent, as beneficiary. A policy rider provided for double indemnity “If the death of the insured * * * results directly and independently of all other causes from bodily injuries effected solely through external, violent and accidental means * * *, and if such death does not result * * * from an aeronautic flight” (Italics ours).

On May 2, 1948, Mr. Reed, his business associate, Gilbert C. Wilson, and that latter’s accountant, Cloise A. King, left…