Does Life Insurance Cover Accidental Death Benefit Rider?

Term insurance is a type of life insurance coverage that protects your loved ones financially in the case of your untimely death. The most important thing to understand about term insurance is that it has no maturity benefit. This means that only in the event of the insured person's death is a payout made to the nominees. Regardless of whether you are the head of a family or a young individual contemplating buying a plan, it is still important to obtain term insurance coverage because of the numerous benefits it gives.

Term life insurance plans provide various advantages, including simplicity, low premiums for high coverage, protecting your family from debt, and so on. With the inclusion of an accidental death insurance rider, the benefits of a term plan can be increased even more.  

What is an Accidental Death?

If the life assured sustains any bodily injury as a result of an accident caused solely and directly by outward, violent, and visible means, and such injury results in the death of the life assured within 180 days of the occurrence of the accident; solely, directly, and independently of all other causes, such death would be deemed as an accidental death. 

What is an Accidental Death Rider? 

Due to the unpredictable nature of life, humans are susceptible to death from a variety of causes. Accidents are one of the most prevalent causes of death, and a term plan with an accidental benefit can help you prepare financially for the eventuality.

• If the insured person dies in an accident, the payout on a term insurance policy with an accidental death benefit will be increased.
• It is important to note that the basic sum assured will be paid even if the insured dies from a cause other than an accident.
• As a result, a term plan with accidental benefits adds nothing to the term insurance policy. It simply makes it more secure.

What Deaths Are Not Covered Under the Rider?

If the accident is caused by self-inflicted injury, suicide, death from alcohol/drug overdose, civil commotion, riots, war, adventure sports like bungee jumping, trekking, river rafting, or scuba diving, while serving in the armed forces, involvement in an aviation or aeronautical operations-related accident, or other circumstances as listed in the policy, the accidental death rider benefit will not be paid. 

Who Should Purchase an Accidental Death Rider?

A term plan with accidental death benefits is usually advised to a family's primary providers who regularly travel due to the nature of their work and work in potentially hazardous situations.

Accidents, on the other hand, are unforeseeable events that can strike at any time. When purchasing a term insurance policy, it is prudent to select the accidental death benefit rider. Even people who do not work in hazardous environments or travel frequently can be involved in a tragic accident. Therefore, adding this rider to your term insurance policy is a cautious decision on your behalf.

• When you add the accidental death benefit rider to your policy, you can increase the amount of money your family receives if you die in an accident.
• This feature is available with only a small premium increase.
• Hence, compared to expanding the basic term insurance coverage without this rider, it turns out to be a relatively cost-effective solution.

Endnotes 

The rider's benefit is evident, and the cost of adding a rider is minimal, so adding it to your overall life insurance term policy makes a lot of sense. It's always better to make preparations for your family in the event of an unforeseen and tragic situation.

Also Read - How can I revive a lapsed insurance policy?

Disclaimer: This article is issued in the general public interest and is meant for general information purposes only. Readers are advised not to rely on the contents of the article as conclusive and should research further or consult an expert in this regard.