Honeywell Policy Won’t Cover Remote Worker Plane Crash Death

The widow of a Honeywell International Inc. worker lost her appeal seeking nearly $1 million in benefits under a business travel accident policy following her husband’s death in a plane crash while working remotely during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit on Monday upheld National Union Fire Insurance Co. of Pittsburgh’s decision declining to pay benefits under the policy, which covers accidents that occur while traveling “on assignment” by Honeywell. It was reasonable for the insurer to interpret this language as requiring Honeywell’s knowledge and approval of a trip in order for an accident ...