Accidental Death Benefit

An accidental death benefit is the amount paid to a beneficiary or beneficiaries named in an insurance policy if and only if the insured dies in an accident, or as a result of injuries suffered in an accident. Often, the accidental death benefit is purchased as a rider on the policy. A person might choose to include an accidental death benefit clause or rider if their occupation puts them a higher risk of having an accident. Jobs that require a lot of driving, heavy lifting, or working amidst moving vehicles or with heavy machinery are possible work situations that would motivate the purchase of an accidental death benefit rider. Depending on the policy, beneficiaries are eligible to collect the accidental death benefit up to a year after an accident, if the victim survives for a time afterwards. Policies with an accidental death benefit clause may have a provision to pay benefits to the insured if the insured is dismembered but survives an accident. Death from noncommercial aviation or other hazardous hobbies, illegal activities, and war are often excluded from accidental death benefit coverage. Typically, accidental death benefit riders expire once the insured reaches a certain age. The maximum age varies with policy and will be included in the accidental death benefit clause.