Losing someone suddenly in an accident is often both emotionally devastating and financially challenging. Both accidental death insurance and life insurance policies could help you protect your loved one’s finances if the worst-case scenario ever happens. But which policy type should you choose?
Identifying the best coverage for your family and budget isn’t always straightforward. It may make sense for some people to purchase both types of coverage for extra security, while other families may only need one or the other. By comparing accidental death and life insurance, you can make an informed decision for your family’s future.
What is life insurance?
A life insurance policy is a contract with an insurance company confirming that the life insurance provider will pay beneficiaries a set amount upon the insured’s death in exchange for premium payments.
Life insurance refers to a broad category of financial products. You could choose from many different types of life insurance to fit your specific coverage needs and your budget. Permanent life insurance, which includes whole, universal, and variable life options, provides coverage through the end of one’s life. The permanent life options differ in their cash value components and the stability of their premiums and death benefits.
On the other hand, term life insurance lasts for a fixed period. After the conclusion of the designated “term,” coverage ends. Policies typically come in 10-year, 15-year, 20-year, and 30-year terms though every life insurance provider has different offerings.
Some types of life insurance don’t necessarily fit neatly into either category, including accidental death insurance.
What is accidental death insurance?
Accidental death insurance (or ADB, for “accidental death benefit”) is a type of life insurance policy designed specifically to cover accidental deaths, as opposed to deaths by natural causes. If the policyholder dies due to a covered accident, accidental death insurance pays a death benefit to a designated beneficiary, like other life insurance policies. Insurance providers may offer coverage for different types of accidental deaths, like car crashes, drowning, workplace incidents, or choking.
Accidental death and dismemberment insurance (AD&D) is a type of accidental death insurance. In addition to paying out your beneficiaries if you pass away in a fatal accident, AD&D insurance also provides a payout if you’re seriously injured. That could mean dismemberment (losing a limb), as the name implies, as well as losing your hearing or vision, becoming paralyzed, losing your ability to speak, or other injuries that permanently damage your everyday function. Fidelity Life offers accidental death benefit coverage but not accidental death and dismemberment.
ADB and AD&D may not cover certain injuries or accidents, including those incurred while playing extreme sports, accidents that occur while intoxicated, or overdoses. You can check with a licensed life insurance agent to confirm coverage limitations.
Key differences between life insurance vs. accidental death insurance
While life insurance and accidental death benefit insurance may overlap in their coverage, they have some critical differences in their cost, scope, and requirements.
ADB usually has fewer eligibility requirements than traditional life insurance. An applicant’s health can significantly affect their eligibility for term and permanent life insurance, as the application process typically includes a medical exam. Fidelity Life’s accidental death policy has no health requirements or making it a potential alternative for people who don’t qualify for traditional life insurance.
While many affordable life insurance policies are available, traditional life insurance typically costs more than accidental death insurance. Life insurance usually comes with higher premiums because its scope of coverage includes deaths by natural causes in addition to accidents. See the table below for more information on the differences between life and typical accidental death insurance coverage.
| Coverage Issue | Life Insurance | Accidental Death |
| Accidental death | Yes | Yes |
| Death by illness | Yes | No |
| Death by old age | Yes | No |
| Suicide | Yes (depending on the insurer) | No |
| Drug overdose death | Yes | No |
| Murder | Yes | Yes |
| Severe, non-fatal injury | No | Yes (with AD&D) |
How does an accidental death benefit rider work?
A rider is one way to supplement your existing life insurance, especially if you need more coverage in a specific area. You can add an accidental death benefit rider onto your existing permanent or term life insurance policy to bolster your protection in case of an accident. You don’t need to undergo a medical exam to qualify.
Fidelity Life offers an accidental death benefit rider that can provide between $50,000 and $500,000 in an additional payout if you pass away due to an accident or within 90 days of the accident. Your beneficiary would receive both the death benefit from your original policy and additional funds from the rider to cover sudden expenses.
Do you need accidental death insurance if you have life insurance?
If you have life insurance, you don’t necessarily need an additional accidental death benefit insurance policy. Life insurance covers almost all deaths during the policy’s term, including most accidents. However, if you can afford another policy, you might benefit from the additional coverage that an accidental death benefit policy provides.
Whether you’re interested in a permanent or term life insurance policy, accidental death insurance, or another type of life insurance, you have plenty of options for protecting your loved ones’ finances in case of an emergency. To learn more, speak with a licensed agent today or get a life insurance or ADB quote online.
FAQs about accidental death vs. life insurance
Is it easier to qualify for life insurance or accidental death?
Life insurance providers each have their own requirements for qualification. Through Fidelity Life, accidental death benefit insurance doesn’t require a medical exam, making qualification easy if you meet age requirements. Most life insurance policies require medical information through an exam or a questionnaire.
Is life insurance just for accidental death?
Life insurance usually covers almost all causes of death, while accidental death benefits insurance only pays out when your death is caused by a covered accident, like a car crash or incident on a job site.
Do you need both life insurance and AD&D?
If you have life insurance, you don’t necessarily need AD&D as well. However, it can provide additional security by giving your beneficiary an extra payout if you pass away or are severely injured in an accident.
