Last updated on 03/28/2023
Coverage for Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) is one of the benefits of travel insurance that many people don’t want to think about, but may be quite important for certain travelers. Accidental Death coverage works very similarly to a life insurance policy, in that you would name a beneficiary upon purchasing your travel insurance, and that person would receive the benefit in the event of your death or dismembering injury while traveling. However, the benefits paid by your travel insurance AD&D coverage would be in addition to any benefits that were also paid by any life insurance policy you may have already had in place.
When considering AD&D as part of your travel insurance purchase, you should make sure to purchase the amount of coverage that you feel is most appropriate for your family and your needs. With most AD&D plans, you can purchase differing amounts of coverage up to 1 million dollars. You can also purchase AD&D plans that include special riders such as Hazardous Activities riders, which offer additional coverage if your injury or demise occurs while you’re participating in a sports or adventure activity that is not typically covered by travel insurance; and War Risk riders, which extend coverage if death or dismemberment occurs as a result of an act of war.
There are three different types of Accidental Death and Dismemberment coverage:
Flight Accident
This type of AD&D coverage only applies if the incident in question happened while you were boarding or traveling on an airplane.
Common Carrier
With this type of policy, you’d be covered for any incident occurring while you’re traveling on a cruise ship, airplane, or train.
24 Hour
24-hour AD&D coverage simply means that you’d be covered at all times during the duration of your trip, whether you were traveling on a common carrier at the time of any incident or not.
IMT TRAVEL ACCIDENT PLAN FOR CANADIAN CUSTOMERS
The Travel Accident plan is a single trip policy that covers a benefit if a traveler should die in an accident while traveling. This policy is exactly like the US version, and most importantly, does not provide any medical protection. This policy's only function is to pay to a beneficiary if something should happen to you during your trip.
Now that having been said, it can include medical evacuation as an upgrade, if you should choose to add it, but it cannot be stressed enough that this is only for the purpose of emergency transport from an inadequate hospital to a more appropriate one, or repatriation to the home country for recovery or further treatments. No benefits will be provided for the actual treatment of an emergency illness or injury.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article serves as a general overview of benefits and should only be used for informational purposes. Refer to your individual certificate of insurance for specific coverages, exclusions and benefits. When in doubt, please contact one of our licensed agents for additional assistance.
FAQs
Accidental Death and Dismemberment provides coverage for when the worst happens during your trip. While a serious, life-changing accident that results in death is rare, it could happen—and the costs can be significant.
Is it worth getting accidental death and dismemberment insurance? ›
If you prefer to add an AD&D policy or rider to it because it gives you more peace of mind, it may be worthwhile for your situation. Keep in mind that it will only pay out if your death or dismemberment is accidental and does not apply to deaths due to illness or other causes.
What qualifies under accidental death and dismemberment? ›
What is AD&D insurance? Accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance is a category of life insurance that only pays out a death benefit when the insured is in a covered accident that causes death or specific serious injuries such as paralysis, the loss of a limb, eyesight, hearing, or speech.
Does AD&D cover airplane accidents? ›
Flight Only AD&D provides a cash payment in the event of accidental loss of life or limb that occurs while flying during a covered trip. Flight Only AD&D coverage applies to travelers who are passengers of a licensed air conveyance. Travelers who are piloting their own plane or acting as crew are generally excluded.
What is the best travel insurance to buy? ›
Our Rankings of the Best Travel Insurance Companies of 2024
- AIG Travel Guard: Our pick for families.
- Trawick International: Our pick for college students.
- Generali Global Assistance: Our pick for emergency assistance.
- Travel Insured International: Our pick for well-rounded coverage.
Accidental death and dismemberment insurance differs from life insurance in that it pays out to a beneficiary when the policyholder passes away due to an accident, such as a car crash. An AD&D policy does not usually provide benefits if the policyholder passes away due to an illness or other natural causes.
What is not covered by AD&D? ›
Accidents that occur while a person is engaged in illegal activities or under the influence of drugs and alcohol will probably not be covered. Similarly, if accidents occur during the practice of a dangerous hobby such as ice fishing or during travel through a war zone, there is a good chance AD&D may not cover them.
Does accidental death and dismemberment cover broken bones? ›
Does accidental death and dismemberment cover broken bones? No, accidental death and dismemberment won't cover broken bones. This is typically covered through regular health insurance.
Do I need ad&d if I have disability insurance? ›
Disability insurance is another option that overlaps with AD&D. It provides a portion of your normal income in the event that you become disabled due to an injury, illness, or other disabling event and are unable to work. It covers more scenarios than AD&D.
What is excluded from accidental death and dismemberment limitations? ›
Exclusions are situations in which the insurance company is not responsible for paying benefits even though the insured may have died or lost a limb. For example, fatalities related to drunk/impaired driving, driving under the influence of alcohol or taking illegal drugs may not be covered under an AD&D policy.
If you already have life insurance, you probably don't need AD&D insurance, but it can be a good complement to your policy. An AD&D policy is a low-cost way to add some extra protection against unexpected injuries. However, the most comprehensive income protection for injuries is a disability insurance policy.
Is death during surgery considered accidental? ›
An example would be a death occurring following a sports injury that requires treatment. However, the general rule is that someone who dies while undergoing medical treatment for an illness would not be considered to have suffered a compensable accidental death.
What is AD&D travel insurance? ›
AD&D coverage can provide you with financial support in the event there is loss of life, limbs, or sight on your trip. If something should happen while you're traveling, the AD&D coverage is paid to your chosen beneficiary which can be used for funeral costs or medical expenses that are a direct result of the accident.
What is a covered travel accident? ›
Travel Accident Insurance provides coverage for a broad range of Losses – including Accidental Loss of Life, Limb, Sight, Speech or Hearing – that occur while riding as a passenger in, entering, or exiting any Common Carrier.
Can I buy travel life insurance? ›
Accidental Death & Dismemberment plans are similar to a life insurance policy, in that you would name a beneficiary upon purchasing your travel insurance. That person would receive the benefit in the event of your death or dismembering injury while traveling.
What does accidental death and dismemberment AD&D cover the risk of? ›
It covers accidental death as well as dismemberment, which includes the loss or loss of use of limbs, sight, hearing and speech in an accident.
What is the difference between basic accidental death and dismemberment and basic life insurance? ›
The biggest difference between term life and AD&D insurance is that an AD&D policy pays out only for a death or dismemberment caused by an accident, while a term life policy pays out regardless of the cause of death, with some exceptions. Here's a quick rundown of each type of policy and what's covered.
Is accidental death and dismemberment insurance the same as disability insurance? ›
Disability insurance is another option that overlaps with AD&D. It provides a portion of your normal income in the event that you become disabled due to an injury, illness, or other disabling event and are unable to work. It covers more scenarios than AD&D.
Who is the beneficiary of accidental death and dismemberment insurance? ›
A beneficiary is the person who will receive the proceeds of your AD&D insurance should you pass away due to an accidental injury. You can choose anyone as your beneficiary and change your designation at any time. And when you add or change a beneficiary online, your designation becomes effective immediately.
