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.

Where this term matters

Life Insurance →Disability Insurance →

Tip

Glossary definitions are educational. Always check your own policy language — insurers can define common terms differently from one another. When in doubt, request a written explanation from your agent.

Related terms

Waiver of Premium RiderA waiver of premium rider keeps a life insurance policy in force without requiring any premium payments if the insured becomes totally disabled before a specified age—commonly 60 or 65—and remains disabled for the required elimination period.Accelerated Death Benefit RiderAn accelerated death benefit (ADB) rider allows a policyholder diagnosed with a terminal illness—typically defined as a life expectancy of 12–24 months—to receive a portion of their life insurance death benefit in advance, income-tax-free under most circumstances.Term Life InsuranceLife insurance with a fixed term (10/20/30 years) — pure death benefit, no cash value, lowest cost.Group Life InsuranceGroup life insurance is a single master policy—typically issued to an employer—that provides term life coverage to all eligible employees, usually at one to two times their annual salary, with premiums often paid fully or partly by the employer and no individual medical underwriting required.Suicide ClauseThe suicide clause in most life insurance policies excludes payment of the full death benefit if the insured dies by suicide—typically within the first one to two years of the policy—with the insurer returning only the premiums paid instead.

Related guides

Source: Cover Forge USA editorial team|Last verified: May 2026|Methodology
Definitions are educational and may be simplified. Always refer to your policy contract and consult a licensed agent for terms that affect coverage decisions.
CF

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 June 2026

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