The only beneficiary named in a life insurance policy died before the insured. The policyowner did not name a new beneficiary. When a claim is filed, the death benefit would be paid to the

If the original beneficiary dies before the insured, their estate does not receive the death benefit unless specified otherwise by the policyowner. Without a valid beneficiary, the benefit cannot be transferred to the deceased beneficiary's estate, making this choice incorrect.

The insured's next of kin are not automatically entitled to the death benefit unless they are named as a beneficiary or the policy directs the benefit to the insured's estate. The lack of a designated beneficiary means the estate is the rightful recipient, not the next of kin.

The policyowner does not receive the death benefit unless they are also the insured or have been named as a beneficiary. In the absence of a designated beneficiary, the benefit goes to the insured's estate, not the policyowner.