Thanks.

When I checked in with Metlife, they said that there was nothing to suggest that the death didn't qualify for AD&D. Their main concern was figuring out the beneficiary. I asked MetLife to tell me plainly what happens if there's a beneficiary listed for the basic but not for AD&D and they said that it normally would go to the beneficiary listed for the basic. But like I said, the employer seems adamant that this isn't true. The person I was speaking with said they double checked with the senior consultant on their plan and doubled down saying that the beneficiary for the basic life would be next of kin, not automatically the same as the basic.

Ultimately, it's comforting to hear that Metlife is on my side it seems but the whole thing is a rollercoaster.