In which situation would accidental death and dismemberment insurance pay benefits?

Accidental death and dismemberment insurance specifically provides benefits in circumstances where an individual suffers a death or severe injury due to an accident. This type of insurance is designed to cover unexpected events that lead to loss of life or the loss of limbs, eyesight, or other body functions directly resulting from an accident.

In contrast, scenarios such as a natural disaster or long-term illness do not align with the coverage of this insurance, as they involve events that are not classified as accidental in nature. For example, if someone suffers a serious illness, the policy does not apply because it's not related to an accident but rather to health conditions. Thus, when evaluating the context of the question, the correct answer underscores the insurance's focus on unanticipated events leading to serious results, which is precisely what accidental death and dismemberment insurance is designed to address.