What are life insurance riders?

Riders are optional features that you can add to a life insurance policy. While adding riders can increase your premiums, they offer more protection than a policy would by itself, so you can help secure your family's financial future. Life insurance riders also help you customize your policy to fit your unique needs. You can add multiple riders to the same policy, allowing you to create the coverage that works best for you.

Is an accidental death benefit rider a good fit for me?

This rider might be a good fit for you if you: Work in a hazardous environment: If you work a manual labor job, around heavy machinery, or a workplace where accidents are more frequent, talk to an agent about adding this type of rider to your policy. Travel or commute frequently: Whether you travel for work or pleasure, it's always good to make sure you're covered. Want extra peace of mind: Accidents can happen anytime - an accidental death benefit rider can help you protect your family with confidence, no matter what.

What does an accidental death benefit rider cover?

Accidental death benefit riders offer extra coverage if you have a fatal accident, wrongful death, or homicide. Types of accidents that may be covered include: Car or traffic accidents Airplane crashes Falls Workplace incidents Fire-related injuries Firearm accidents If your rider includes major injuries or trauma, you may also be covered for limb loss; loss of hearing, eyesight, or speech; or partial or permanent paralysis.

What doesn't an accidental death benefit rider cover?

Accidental death benefit riders don't cover illnesses, which you can get special coverage for with other riders. If your injury or death is related to suicide or happened while you were under the influence of drugs or alcohol, your rider may not cover you, either. You also might not qualify for coverage if you have hobbies like skydiving or mountain climbing, or if you work in a high-risk job like law enforcement, firefighting, or the military.

Accidental Death Benefit Rider

Do you have a plan for your family in case you have a fatal accident? Having a backup in place ahead of time can not only give you peace of mind, but also protect your loved ones from unexpected expenses.

What Is an Accidental Death Benefit Rider?

An accidental death benefit rider is an optional feature you can add to a term life or whole life insurance policy. This rider gives your loved ones access to a larger cash payment, or “death benefit,” if you die in a covered accident. That means that if you pass away unexpectedly from a covered accident, your family will still be protected financially.

Unlike an accidental death benefit policy, you can often add an accidental death rider to your current life insurance coverage, helping you customize it to fit your unique needs.

In some cases, an accidental death rider, or accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) rider, may cover major non-fatal injuries that prevent you from working. This depends on the rider, however. Your life insurance agent can help you understand what the accidental death and dismemberment rider covers, so you can make the right choice for you and your family.

How Do Accidental Death Benefit Riders Work?

Most accidental death benefit riders will offer your family an extra payout on top of your regular life insurance policy’s death benefit. This extra payment can sometimes double the amount of money your family receives, which is why this type of rider used to be known as a double indemnity rider. Once the insurance company confirms that your death meets the requirements of the rider, your loved ones will receive the payment.

Since an accidental death benefit rider adds coverage to your policy, buying one will likely increase your premiums, or payments. Adding that protection now can save your family from dealing with major expected expenses later, though.

Benefits of Accidental Death Benefit Riders

Adding an ADB rider to your insurance plan can help you prepare for the unexpected. Some key benefits include:

Just-in-case coverage

Just-in-case coverage
A bigger payout for your family

A bigger payout for your family
Potential living coverage in case of injury

Potential living coverage in case of injury

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