What is AD&D insurance?
An accidental death and dismemberment insurance policy (AD&D) is not the same as a standard life insurance policy. Yes, it pays a death benefit, but as the name suggests, it only provides coverage in the event you die due to an accident. If you are dismembered because of an accident, the policy generally pays out a predetermined amount as specified in your policy.
Life insurance vs. accidental death and dismemberment
An AD&D policy also differs from a standard life insurance policy because it's generally offered as a life insurance policy benefit rider or supplemental insurance. So while you can buy an AD&D policy by itself, it is more commonly added to another life insurance product.
As a policy rider, the AD&D benefit pays out an additional death benefit to your beneficiary that is over and above your current death benefit limit as stated on your life insurance policy. For example, if you have a $500,000 policy with a $200,000 AD&D rider and die in a tragic accident, your life insurance policy will pay out $700,000 to your beneficiaries. However, if you die due to any other cause, the payout would be the limit of your life insurance policy, $500,000.
Why choose an AD&D policy?
For more information on life insurance and life insurance policy riders, visit Protective's Learning Center.
Although AD&D insurance is no replacement for standard life insurance, AD&D can provide valuable supplemental coverage at a relatively low price, especially if it's purchased through your employer.
An AD&D policy offers financial security if you were, for example, to lose a limb, an eye, ear or in an accident whereas life insurance would not, in other words, a major life-changing loss that does not result in death. While a regular life insurance policy would provide a death benefit to your designated loved ones in case of your death, an AD&D rider could offer additional benefit in case of your completely unexpected, accidental death.
For more information on life insurance and life insurance policy riders, visit Protective's Learning Center.
Note: Not all life insurance policies offer an AD&D insurance rider. The terms of AD&D riders and policies may differ by carrier.
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