For years accidental death and dismemberment insurance (AD&D insurance) was what you bought at an airport kiosk before you boarded your flight. These days, the merits of this coverage are recognized beyond the perils of traveling, and AD&D insurance is often used as an add-on to regular life insurance policies, though it can be purchased separately as well.
There’s no question that accidental death and dismemberment insurance can change your life and the lives of people who depend on you, but this doesn’t mean everyone needs this particular type of coverage.
However, for the people who could benefit from it, the perks of these policies are incredible—and we’re going to talk all about them here.
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Accidental death and dismemberment insurance pays out in the event you are killed or severely injured in an accident. AD&D insurance is not a replacement for standard life and disability insurance, because it only covers death or serious injury as the result of an accident—and the chances of this happening are far less than the chances of dying of cancer or heart disease, which are the two leading causes of death in the US.
Your AD&D insurance would payout if you accidentally fell down the stairs and lost the use of your legs or if you were murdered, but it would not cover you having a heart attack and then falling down the stairs and losing the use of your legs.
This is why you still need your standard life insurance policy. AD&D insurance is myopic coverage and is no substitute for more robust, comprehensive coverage.
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AD&D insurance is fairly straightforward. If you die as a result of an unforeseen, covered event, then your beneficiaries will receive a pre-specified payout.
Dismemberment payouts are a bit more complex, and since you’re still alive, the payout goes to you, not a beneficiary. Most policies will pay a percentage for partial or permanent paralysis, the loss of your use of certain body parts, the loss of a limb, or the loss of sight, speech, or hearing.
Most insurers will not pay 100% unless you’ve lost a limb as well as one major sense, like eyesight or hearing in one eye/ear.
It’s important that you speak with your insurance provider so you know exactly what is and isn’t covered before you commit to a policy. The plan may not fit your needs, and if it cannot be affordably adjusted, then you may want to consider a different provider.
While we are all subject to the possibility of an accident in our lives, there are those for whom considering an accidental death policy of this type may be a wise decision.
There are occupations that are inherently more dangerous than others, like firefighting or certain types of construction work.
People with occupations such as taxi drivers, pilots, train operators, or ferry conductors also have a higher chance of getting into fatal accidents. Although AD&D is not technically a life insurance policy, it does provide extra coverage to certain people in certain circumstances.
AD&D insurance is extremely affordable. The exact amount will depend on factors like your age, gender, and where you live, but to give you an idea of a price, a 40-year-old person could expect to pay around $13 a month for $200,000 worth of coverage.
And remember: This coverage pays out in addition to your other life insurance plan.
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If you have life insurance through your workplace, you may already be covered for AD&D, so be sure to check. Alternatively, your existing life insurance provider may offer an AD&D insurance add-on, in which case you can get a price from the first.
But that doesn’t mean you have to settle for them if the price and coverage are not what you’re after.
You can also get a separate policy from a different carrier by getting an AD&D insurance quote online.
Louise has a life insurance policy through her work to which she has added accidental death coverage. She has a $100,000 life policy with a $500,000 accidental death and dismemberment insurance policy as a rider. While on her way home from work she is involved in an auto accident that takes her life. The beneficiaries of Louise’s policy would receive both the $100,000 life insurance coverage and the $500,000 AD&D insurance benefit.
Accidental death insurance coverage will not cover the following:
A suicide, drug overdose, risky hobbies like skydiving, auto racing, acts of war, or self-inflicted injuries. As with any insurance policy, it is wise to be aware of what the policy covers and what it does not and you can read up on what is not covered in the Exclusions section of your policy.
Accidental death insurance coverage is typically less expensive than life insurance
It is not a replacement for life insurance but for those whose health or occupation would prevent them from obtaining a life insurance policy it does afford benefits that can help a family in the event of the policy holder’s death.
Life insurance covers your entire life!
Life Insurance covers your life and provides a death benefit for most causes except suicide whereas an accidental death insurance policy will only pay for a covered accident and not for a death caused by illness. In general, AD&D insurance cannot be denied for individuals who meet the age requirements regardless of their health condition.
At ConsumerCoverage, your trusted internet site for all types of insurance whether for home, life, health, or vehicle, we have AD&D insurers who will provide you with an accidental death insurance quote online. Turn to us for all your insurance needs. Period.
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AD&D insurance is not a replacement for life insurance but for people with risky occupations, it affords benefits that can help a family in the event of the policy holder’s death and it will help the policyholder in the event of dismemberment.
What’s more, in general, AD&D insurance cannot be denied for individuals who meet the age requirements regardless of their health conditions, making this type of policy an attractive (albeit not comprehensive) option for people who may otherwise be denied insurance due to their jobs or health.
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Accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance is insurance that will pay your beneficiaries in the event of your death or you in the event of dismemberment caused by an unforeseen accident or incident.
No. It’s much less than standard life insurance and can cost as little as around $10 a month.
Anyone with a risky job or who travels a lot. It may also be a good option if you cannot get life insurance because of poor health, but keep in mind payout only occurs if the death or injury is the direct result of an accident.
Hollay Ghadery Hollay Ghadery is a writer and editor who is passionate about financial literacy as a means to personal fulfillment. Hollay has over 18 years of experience creating content about a range of topics related to personal finance, including insurance, investing, banking, and credit cards. When Hollay isn't writing, she's spending time with her four children, two dogs, and three goats.
