What Is AD&D Insurance [What Is and Isn’t Covered & FAQ]

Are you working in a high-risk field and have been offered AD&D insurance by your employer? AD&D insurance is a smart extra step that could ensure that your family can cover all after-death expenses. If you’re still on the fence about the idea, in this article we will explain what is AD&D insurance, what constitutes accidental death and dismemberment, what exactly the policy covers, and what type of benefits you can receive.

What Is AD&D Insurance? 

Accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance is a type of insurance commonly added as a rider to a person’s health insurance or life insurance. As the name describes, this type of insurance covers cases of accidental death and dismemberment for the policyholder. This type of rider has very limited coverage, which is why you should read the fine print before taking it on. In addition, it’s important to mention that this is not a substitute for term life insurance.

Through accidental death and dismemberment insurance, the beneficiaries you put down on your policy will receive the lump-sum payment in the event of your death. In cases of injury, you will receive living benefits which are dependent on the type of injury sustained. For example, this is usually the case with dismemberment, commonly in the form of hearing or eyesight. If you lose one eye you get a 50% payment; if both, an 100% payout. This is also the case for paralysis resulting from an accident.

AD&D insurance usually differs from company to company. The coverage you’ll get depends on limits set by the company at hand and can range between $30,000 and $200,000.

What Is Voluntary AD&D?

Voluntary AD&D insurance (VAD&D) is an additional protection plan to provide a cash beneficiary in case of accidental death by killing, or by losing specific body parts. This type of insurance is a limited form of life insurance and is less expensive than full life insurance.

Voluntary AD&D is most often purchased by workers that have jobs that entail a higher chance of experiencing a physical injury. It’s often offered as part of an employment package. The premiums are based on the amount of insurance that is purchased, and policies are typically renewed from time to time.

How much money you receive, in addition to the amount of coverage, relies on the type of injury claim filed. With that information in mind, a policyholder could qualify for a complete payout they are killed or become quadriplegic. However, if the injury is a loss of a limb or eyesight in one eye, then the payment would be cut in half.

What Is Accidental Death?

Even though it might sound pretty straightforward, a lot of people get confused as to what an accidental death actually entails. According to insurance policy companies, accidental death is the loss of life due to reasons unrelated to natural causes such as disease or old age. This means that any taking of life, whether unintentional or intentional (suicide is not included) falls under the category of insurable accidental death. Murder is also considered accidental death.

With AD&D coverage, accidental death also encompasses slip and fall accidents, car and motorcycle accidents, accidental weapon injuries, drownings, bicycle and pedestrian accidents, plane crashes, head injuries, and traumas, as well as any work-related injuries caused by machinery malfunctions.

What Does Dismemberment Mean?

Dismemberment is the loss of use of limbs, eyesight, or hearing. In accident and health insurance policies, there is a fixed benefit especially related to these injuries and the insured who have suffered dismemberment. Usually, the company will pay the principal sum for loss of both hands and feet, one hand and one foot, or one hand or foot, as well as loss of eyesight on both eyes or one eye. For each loss, the companies usually pay a percentage of the principal sum for the dismemberment plan.

Key Takeaways

What Does Accidental Death Insurance Cover? 

AD&D insurance covers death and injuries caused by accidents, not natural causes such as illness or increasing age. Policies such as this one cover death or injuries caused by accidents while at home, work, or traveling.

Accidental death insurance also covers death that resulted from accidents while commuting on public transportation, such as busses, trains, or airplanes. These types of payouts are usually double or triple the base coverage amount. The passing does not have to be immediate, but insurance companies do set a time limit for death to happen, which is usually a few months. The exact policy you choose will outline the final rules, though.

Dismemberment, the loss of limbs, eyesight, or hearing, falls under the category of a fixed benefit in your AD&D insurance. Dismemberment is paid out at a 100% or a 50% rate, depending on the type of injury acquired.

What Does AD&D Insurance NOT Cover?

What accidental death insurance does and does not cover varies from company to company. However, there are a few recurring situations that are usually excluded from all AD&D insurance policies.

Exclusions include:

• Death caused by illnesses (This includes mental illnesses)
• Suicide
• Self-inflicted injuries
• Drug overdose
• Death or injuries acquired while driving under the influence of alcohol
• Death or injuries acquired from inhaling gas or taking poison by choice
• Injuries while serving in the armed forces
• Death or injuries acquired from car racing, playing professional sports, flying a plane, or participating in extreme sports (Such as sky-diving or scuba-diving)

What Type of Accidental Death Benefit You Can Expect

Even though every insurer offers different payout policies, they all usually pay 100% of its value to any beneficiaries in the event of your accidental death. As for dismemberment, it depends on how many body parts are taken; one eye could entail a 25% or a 50% payout, for instance, depending on the insurer.

In some cases of accidental death coverage, the insurer pays additional compensation if the insured was wearing a seatbelt during the accident, which only reiterates the case being accidental. There are extra benefits that can be provided as well, like helping children pay for higher education. Finally, additions such as legal counseling and financial advising can be used by the surviving spouse of the insured.

Is AD&D Insurance Worth It?

Although you can’t predict if you’re going to be involved in an accident, AD&D insurance is a smart choice for people whose lifestyle may induce experiences that are rare or unordinary. AD&D is a beneficial rider to your life insurance policy, as it offers double protection in case of non-fatal injuries or dismemberment of any nature.