Accidental death coverage pays only if you die from an accident. AD&D, or accidental death and dismemberment, also pays if an accident makes you lose a limb or your eyesight.
Who it fits
People who want extra money on top of regular life insurance, often through a rider or a work plan.
- Who buys it
- Any age
- Medical exam
- Usually noDepends on age, amount and company
What to know before you buy
As a rider, it can pay double, triple, or more if an accident causes your death.
Texas gives this example: a $500,000 policy with a $500,000 accidental death rider pays $1 million if you die in an accident.
Under the federal employee plan, AD&D does not pay if the death or loss comes from illness or its treatment.
That plan also excludes suicide, self injury, illegal drugs, and driving drunk. Death must happen within 1 year of the accident.
For federal workers, AD&D ends when your job ends. You cannot carry it into retirement.
Texas notes accidental death riders have restrictions. Check what your policy counts as an accident.
Common questions
Does AD&D pay if I die from an illness?
No. It only pays for accidents. Check the exclusions in your policy.
What is dismemberment?
Losing a limb or eyesight because of an accident. Plans list which losses they pay for.
Is it the same as an accidental death rider?
A rider is added to a life policy. AD&D is often its own plan, like at work. Both pay for accidents only.
Can I keep work AD&D if I leave my job?
Often not. For federal workers, it ends when the job ends.
