Life insurance vs. AD&D insurance

What is AD&D insurance?

Accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance is a category of life insurance that only pays out a benefit when the insured is 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 it can be added to a standard life policy as a rider.

What is an AD&D rider?

An AD&D rider can be added to a standard life insurance policy to increase your benefit (up to double, depending on the policy) if you die from a covered accident — and it can pay out a certain amount while you're still alive if you have an accident that causes a qualifying injury.

What does AD&D insurance cover?

The accidents and injuries 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:

• Car accidents
• Workplace injuries or death
• Fire-related injuries or fatality
• Accidents with firearms
• Falls and other injurious accidents

What is accidental death benefit (ADB) insurance?

Both AD&D and ADB life insurance policies only pay out in the case of 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.

What's not covered by AD&D insurance?

While AD&D insurance may cover accidental death and murder, there are many causes of death and injury that may not be covered, often including:

• Specified recreational activities
• Overdose
• Accidents while occurring under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Suicide
• Natural causes or illness

Keep in mind that 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.

The cost of accidental death insurance vs. life insurance

Accidental death insurance is usually more affordable than standard life insurance rates. Just like with life insurance, your AD&D insurance premium will depend on the information provided in your application and the death benefit you select. And the older you get, the more expensive AD&D will become. AD&D or ADB coverage should be specific to you, so talking directly with a life insurer can help you find the right options for your coverage needs and budget.

Do AD&D and life insurance combine?

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.

When to supplement life insurance with an AD&D rider

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.

You often can't add a rider after you've purchased a life insurance policy, so be sure to ask about this rider while you're shopping for life insurance. It's typically more affordable to purchase a rider rather than a standalone AD&D policy. Compare rates and coverage options to determine what's best for you.

Do I need both life insurance and AD&D?

If you want coverage in case you're accidentally seriously injured, it can make sense to get an AD&D policy or rider in addition to your standard life insurance policy. An accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance policy or rider includes coverage for certain accidental injuries (as well as accidental death), while standard life insurance only pays out for death. However, AD&D insurance isn't a substitute for standard life insurance — AD&D coverage only applies to accidental circumstances, while standard life insurance has an all-cause death benefit.

When would I need supplemental life and AD&D insurance?

Standard life insurance with an all-cause death benefit covers you for most causes of death, but it won't cover you for non-fatal injuries. So, if you already have life insurance and you're concerned about covering the costs of a serious accidental injury, it can make sense to supplement your life insurance with an AD&D standalone policy.

Is accidental death insurance worth it?

If you can qualify, term life insurance pays out for far more causes of death than AD&D insurance, and it may not cost significantly more. Therefore, if you're concerned about accidents, adding an AD&D rider onto a standard life insurance policy can make more sense than purchasing a standalone AD&D policy.

However, if you don't qualify for standard life insurance, AD&D coverage may still be better than no coverage. An AD&D policy may be easier to qualify for because it doesn't require a medical exam, and you can generally get an AD&D policy faster than a standard life policy.

How to get AD&D coverage or life insurance

If you're considering an AD&D or ADB policy, call 1-866-912-2477 to speak with a licensed Progressive Life by eFinancial representative. Or to further explore your life insurance options, you can quote a standard life policy online.