fbpx

What to Know About Accidental Death Benefit (ADB)

A man searches online to learn more about what an accidental death benefit is

Life insurance riders allow you to customize your life insurance policy to fit the needs of you and your family. While an accidental death is not something you want to spend much time thinking about, you may want to consider adding an accidental death benefit rider to your life insurance policy for additional peace of mind. Here you can learn how your family could benefit from an accidental death benefit. 

What is an accidental death benefit?

An accidental death benefit, also known as ADB, is essentially an additional financial benefit if the insured dies as a result of an accident. There is an extra cost for this rider with a coverage amount usually available up to $250,000 depending on the carrier.  The benefit, however, cannot exceed the face amount of the policy, but is also available as an individual policy.

What is considered an accidental death?

Typically death from car crashes, slips, drowning, choking, machinery and other situations that are out of one’s control are considered accidental. Some policies may cover dismemberment or partial loss of limbs, or burns, paralysis and other similar cases that come from an accident. Life insurance carriers, however, won’t typically cover accidental deaths from hazardous hobbies or illegal activities. 

Difference Between Life Insurance and Accidental Death

Life insurance provides financial protection for your family if anything were to happen to you. Your life insurance policy will pay a death benefit in most cases of death, including accident or illness. An accidental death benefit, however, will pay out a death benefit if you die by accident but not by natural causes or illnesses. It also may pay for dismemberment or loss of limbs. 

An ADB policy can be bought by itself, but it’s not a replacement for life insurance. However, by adding an accidental death benefit rider to your life insurance policy, the rider will provide an extra death benefit to the beneficiaries if the death is from an accident. 

Is an accidental death benefit worth it?

An accidental death benefit rider offers additional protection on top of your life insurance policy and disability insurance. It also can pay a benefit for injuries and not just death. If you’re someone who works in or around potentially hazardous environments, or you’re someone who drives quite often whether for your job or in general, you may want to consider adding an accidental death benefit rider to your life insurance policy for additional peace of mind. 

Understand Your Life Insurance Options with SelectQuote

If you’re wanting to know more about the accidental death benefit or want to know more about your life insurance coverage options, we can help. With so many different types of coverage, we can help you find a policy that meets your needs, works for your budget, and most importantly, gives you peace of mind.

We do the shopping. You do the saving.