Travis purchases a $$300,000$ life insurance policy on his wife, Esther, which includes a terminal illness rider. A number of years later, Esther is diagnosed with a terminal illness and Travis submits a claim for an acceleration of $$150,000$ of the death benefit. Before the claim can be processed and approved, Esther dies. What is the likely result?

a$.$ The insurer will cancel the request for the accelerated benefit and pay the policy's full $$300,000$ death benefit to the beneficiary.

b$.$ The insurer will accept Esther's death as evidence she would have qualified for the accelerated payment and will pay $$150,000$ to Travis and the balance of the death benefit to the policy's beneficiary.

c$.$ The insurer will pay the $$150,000$ to Esther's estate and the balance of the death benefit to Travis.

d$.$ The insurer will pay the $$150,000$ to the policy's beneficiary.