What Is Basic Life Ad&D Insurance?
If you want coverage in case of accidental serious injury, it makes sense to get an accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance policy or rider in addition to your standard life insurance policy. AD&D insurance is a type of life insurance that pays out a benefit only when the insured is involved in a covered accident that causes death or specific serious injuries such as the loss of a limb, paralysis, or blindness. AD&D coverage can be purchased as a standalone policy or added to a standard life policy as a rider.
AD&D Insurance Coverage
The accidents and injuries that your AD&D coverage can pay out for will be specified in the policy. Depending on your policy, accidental dismemberment might include not only the loss of a limb but also serious accidental trauma that prevents you from working. Accidents covered by AD&D insurance may include:
| Accidents Covered by AD&D Insurance |
|---|
| Car accidents |
| Falls |
| Accidents while traveling on a commercial airline |
| Accidents while riding as a fare-paying passenger on a common carrier (e.g., a bus or train) |
| Accidents while participating in a high-risk activity (e.g., skydiving or bungee jumping) |
Both AD&D and accidental death and dismemberment (ADB) life insurance policies only pay out in accidents. The main difference is that an ADB policy may only pay out for a fatal accident, while AD&D policies can also pay out for accidental dismemberment and certain accidental injuries. Insurers might only offer one or the other, or both.
AD&D Insurance Cost and Eligibility
AD&D insurance is usually more affordable than standard life insurance rates. However, it gets more expensive as you get older. Your AD&D insurance premium will depend on the information provided in your application and the death benefit you select. If you’re in a particularly high-risk job such as firefighting, law enforcement, or the military, you may not be able to qualify for AD&D coverage. Shop around, as your eligibility could differ by insurer.
Standalone AD&D Policy vs AD&D Rider
Depending on the insurer, you may be able to combine accidental death and dismemberment coverage with life insurance as a rider on your life policy. Alternatively, you can get AD&D insurance as a standalone policy to serve as a supplement to your existing life insurance. However, standalone AD&D policies are more typical for individuals who don’t qualify for standard life insurance but want some level of coverage — and they aren’t available from all insurers.
Conclusion
If you don’t already have life insurance or AD&D insurance and you want extra coverage for accidents, consider getting a standard life insurance policy with an AD&D life insurance rider. The AD&D rider increases your life insurance death benefit if you pass away from a covered accident, and it pays out a certain amount if you experience a qualifying accidental injury. Compare rates and coverage options to determine what’s best for you.
