Life Insurance
Accidental Death Benefit (AD&D)
Accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance pays a lump-sum benefit if the insured dies as a direct result of an accident, and proportional benefits for qualifying dismemberment injuries such as loss of a limb or eyesight.
Last reviewed: May 2026 · Editorial methodology
Definition
Accidental death and dismemberment coverage is available as a standalone policy or as a rider added to a life insurance policy, and it pays a benefit—equal to the face amount for death, or a percentage for dismemberment—only when the loss results directly from an accident, independent of any other cause, and within a specified time of the accident (often 90 or 365 days). Common exclusions include death from illness, suicide, drug or alcohol impairment, war, and participation in hazardous activities such as skydiving. Dismemberment benefits are typically expressed as a percentage of the face amount: 100% for loss of two limbs or both eyes, 50% for loss of one hand or one foot, 25% for loss of one finger. AD&D does not substitute for traditional life insurance—it pays nothing for the majority of U.S. deaths, which are illness-related—but it is inexpensive: $100,000 in AD&D coverage might cost only $7–$15 per month. Employer group benefit packages frequently include one to two times salary in employer-paid AD&D, making it a common supplemental workplace benefit. The double indemnity version of the rider doubles the base life policy payout for accidental death.
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Cover Forge USA Editorial Team
Editorial Lead
This article was researched and written by the Cover Forge USA editorial team against federal sources (NAIC, CMS, FEMA, DOL, SSA, state DOIs) and standard policy forms. Bylines organize content by topic — they do not assert individual licensure. See our editorial-policy for details.
Reviewed 2026-06-14
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