Accidental Death Insurance
Accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance pays a benefit, typically as a lump sum, to your beneficiaries if a covered accident causes death, and scheduled benefits to you for covered dismemberment or paralysis. Benefits are paid only for losses caused by a covered accident within the policy's time limits; illness is not covered, and exclusions apply. AD&D supplements life insurance; it does not replace it.
Get Your Accidental Death Insurance Quote
What is Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance?
AD&D insurance pays an accidental death benefit to the beneficiary named in the policy when a covered accident causes death within the policy's time limit. Coverage is limited to specified accidental losses, exclusions and limitations apply, and AD&D supplements rather than replaces life insurance.
It can also pay scheduled partial benefits to the insured for covered losses such as loss of a limb, sight, hearing or speech, or paralysis. The schedule of benefits varies by policy, and exclusions, limitations and time limits apply.
Why Accident Protection Matters
- Motor-vehicle crashes caused 41,241 deaths and unintentional falls 48,308 deaths in the United States in 2024. (Source: CDC / National Center for Health Statistics)
- Falls are the leading cause of injury-related death among adults age 65 and older. (Source: CDC)
Not every accidental death is covered. AD&D policies exclude some causes, including losses involving illness or intoxication. See Common Exclusions below.
How It Works
- Step 1:
Choose a coverage amount
Select the benefit amount you want to apply for.
- Step 2:
Pay the premium
Your premium varies with the coverage amount you select and the carrier's rates.
- Step 3:
A covered accident occurs
The loss must result from a covered accident within the time limit stated in the policy.
- Step 4:
Submit a claim
You or your beneficiary submit notice and proof of loss to the carrier. If the carrier approves the claim under the policy, the accidental death benefit is paid to your beneficiary, or the scheduled percentage for a covered dismemberment or paralysis is paid to you. Exclusions and limitations apply.
What's Typically Covered vs. Common Exclusions
AD&D coverage is defined by the policy's covered losses, benefit schedule, exclusions and time limits.
What's Typically Covered
- Accidental death
- Loss of limb(s)
- Loss of sight, hearing or speech
- Paralysis
- Often 24/7, on- and off-the-job
- Some policies add benefits for common-carrier accidents or seat-belt use
Commonly Excluded
Policies differ, but commonly excluded causes include:
- Loss caused or contributed to by sickness, disease, or medical or surgical treatment
- Suicide or intentionally self-inflicted injury
- Intoxication (as defined in the policy) or drugs not taken as prescribed
- Loss to which the commission or attempted commission of a felony contributed
- War or military action
- Flying other than as a fare-paying passenger on a scheduled or charter flight operated by a scheduled airline
- Extra-hazardous activities where the policy excludes them and properly discloses the exclusion
- Losses occurring outside the policy's time window after the accident
Covered losses, exclusions, benefit schedules and time limits vary by carrier and policy. Always review your policy documents.
How AD&D Compares to Life Insurance
The two products answer different questions. Here is how they typically differ; your policy's terms control.
| Feature | Accidental Death (AD&D) | Traditional Life Insurance |
|---|---|---|
| What triggers a payout | Death or a covered loss caused by a covered accident, within the policy's time limit | Death from causes covered by the policy, which typically include illness and accidents, subject to the policy's exclusions |
| Covers death from illness | Not covered | Typically covered |
| Application process | Typically a simplified application because coverage is limited to specified accidental losses; eligibility, age limits and any health questions vary by carrier | Typically health underwriting (questions and sometimes an exam); some products use simplified or accelerated underwriting |
| Benefits for nonfatal accidental injury | Scheduled benefits for covered dismemberment or paralysis | Generally not, unless provided by the policy or a rider |
| How it is typically used | As a supplement to life insurance | As core protection |
AD&D is a supplement layered on top of life insurance, not a substitute for it. A life insurance needs analysis can help you consider the core protection your family may need.
Who May Want to Consider AD&D?
People who may want to consider AD&D
- Young families
- People who drive a lot or have long commutes
- People in physically active or hands-on occupations
- People who want an added layer of accident protection while they build or keep traditional life-insurance coverage
- Anyone who wants extra protection on top of an existing policy
- Self-employed people without group AD&D through work
Individual vs. Group AD&D
Some employers offer group AD&D as a benefit. Benefit amounts, portability, conversion rights and termination terms vary by plan, and group coverage may end when employment ends unless the plan provides otherwise. An individual policy is not tied to your employer and continues according to its own renewal and termination terms.
You may also want to learn how disability insurance and critical illness insurance can complement a broader protection plan. Contact PCFG to discuss your needs and available options.
Accidental Death Insurance FAQs
What does accidental death insurance cover?
Accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance pays a benefit, typically as a lump sum, to your beneficiary if you die as the result of a covered accident within the time limit stated in the policy. Most policies also pay a scheduled percentage of the benefit directly to you for certain covered losses caused by an accident, such as loss of a limb, sight, hearing or speech, or paralysis. Coverage is limited to specified accidental losses; exclusions, limitations and time limits apply and vary by policy.
Is AD&D the same as life insurance?
No. Life insurance generally pays a death benefit whether death is caused by illness or by an accident, subject to the policy's exclusions. AD&D pays only when death or a covered loss results from a covered accident; it does not pay for death caused by illness or natural causes. For that reason AD&D is usually purchased as a supplement to life insurance rather than as a replacement for it.
Do I need a medical exam?
Many individual AD&D policies use a simplified application because coverage is limited to specified accidental losses. Eligibility requirements, age limits and any health questions vary by carrier, and most policies do not pay for losses caused or contributed to by illness or disease. Your agent can tell you what a specific carrier requires.
What is not covered by AD&D insurance?
Policies differ, but commonly excluded causes include loss caused or contributed to by sickness, disease, or medical or surgical treatment; suicide or intentionally self-inflicted injury; intoxication as defined in the policy or drugs not taken as prescribed; loss to which the commission or attempted commission of a felony contributed; war or military action; flying other than as a fare-paying passenger on a scheduled or charter flight operated by a scheduled airline; and extra-hazardous activities where the policy excludes them. Losses that occur outside the policy's time window after the accident are also generally not covered. Always review the policy for the complete list of exclusions and limitations.
Who receives the benefit?
The accidental death benefit is paid to the beneficiary you name in the policy. Benefits for covered dismemberment, loss of sight, hearing or speech, or paralysis are generally paid to you, the insured, according to the policy's schedule of benefits. Benefit amounts and schedules vary by policy.
Can I have AD&D and life insurance at the same time?
Yes. Many people carry both. Life insurance provides the core death benefit for death from covered causes, while AD&D adds a separate benefit that applies only to covered accidents. Some people also have group AD&D through an employer; amounts, portability, conversion rights and termination terms vary by plan, and group coverage may end when employment ends unless the plan provides otherwise. Terms, renewability and termination provisions of any policy vary, so review them before relying on the coverage.
Add Accident-Specific Protection to Your Plan
Explore whether AD&D coverage fits alongside the life insurance and other protection you already have.
This page is general educational information about accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance and is not an offer of coverage, a policy summary, or insurance advice. Policies are issued and underwritten by third-party insurance carriers, not by PCFG Insurance Services LLC. Covered losses, exclusions, benefit schedules, time limits, eligibility, renewability, age-based changes to benefits, treatment of pre-existing conditions and premiums vary by carrier, product and state and are subject to each carrier's underwriting rules. Product availability varies by state. Only the policy contains the complete terms of coverage. Statistics are from the cited public sources and are not predictions of any individual's risk.