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What’s the Difference? Life Insurance vs AD&D
Insurance financially protects you and your family in case of an accident or death and is a vital safeguard to help navigate a potential nightmare scenario. Knowing the difference between insurance policies is key to helping you plan and get fully protected. So, let’s explore the difference between Life Insurance and Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) coverage.
Though it might seem like these two types of insurance are very similar, they focus on different aspects of protection. AD&D insurance covers you for accidents (which might be fatal), and Life Insurance protects your loved ones financially in the case of your death.
In this article, we’ll look at the details of Life Insurance and AD&D coverage, the difference between them, and when you should consider one (or both) of these policies. Greater Nevada Insurance (GNI) proudly offers both for affordable and flexible coverage.
What Is Life Insurance?
Life Insurance pays benefits to your family in the case of your death and covers a wide range of causes with some exceptions.
There are two types of Life Insurance:
- Term Life only covers a set period, usually from one to thirty years, depending on the policy. Most people get a term policy when they have certain financial responsibilities, such as young dependent children or a mortgage.
- Whole Life (or permanent life) lasts your entire life as long as your premiums are paid. This coverage is generally cheaper the younger you start your coverage and can build tax-deferred cash value over time.
So, Life Insurance is focused mostly on what happens when you die. It’s there to help pay for funeral costs, pay off your mortgage and any outstanding debts, and provide income replacement as well as ongoing financial assistance. It can even cover education costs for your dependents.
What Is AD&D Insurance?
Accidental Death and Dismemberment coverage applies to situations when you are seriously injured or killed in an accident.
AD&D insurance generally covers:
- Death from an accident, such as a car crash.
- Loss of a limb.
- Loss of hearing, sight, or speech.
- Permanent paralysis.
AD&D insurance doesn’t cover:
- Natural causes or illness.
- Some recreational activities.
- Drug overdose or death by suicide.
- Accidents that happen while you are under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- Death from an extreme sport or risky activity.
- Injuries or death while serving in the armed services.
AD&D insurance can cover accidental deaths but can also be very helpful when your permanent injuries prevent you from working, replacing your lost income.
GNCU also offers $2,500 of no-cost AD&D coverage to members. GNCU will pay the premium; you just have to opt-in for coverage. If you want more benefits, additional coverage is available.
Life Insurance vs AD&D
These two types of insurance focus on different triggers, but they can overlap in certain instances. While life and AD&D policies can both cover accidental deaths, AD&D can also cover situations where you are seriously injured but survive.
Here is a chart comparing Life Insurance vs AD&D and what situations they might cover:
| Reason For Claim | Life Insurance | AD&D |
| Death from illness or disease | Yes | No |
| Death from accident, such as a car crash | Yes | Yes |
| Death by suicide | Yes (if you have had the policy long enough) | No |
| Death from drunk driving (by insured person) | Yes | No |
| Death from overdose | Yes | No |
| Loss of limb, hearing or eyesight | No | Yes (You may receive partial benefits depending on type of injury) |
Life Insurance would be the best option if you had to choose one type of coverage over the other. AD&D insurance is mostly considered supplemental insurance and shouldn’t serve as a replacement for Life Insurance. AD&D coverage can be added to Life Insurance policies as a rider or bought separately as supplemental insurance. It can also be added to your employers’ benefits package with little or no cost.
Life Insurance covers a wider range of possibilities. Statistically, accidents are the fourth cause of death behind heart disease, cancer, and COVID-19 in 2021. So, your Life Insurance is the most likely to pay out, with fewer exceptions that might prevent your beneficiaries from receiving financial support.
Limits of Life Insurance vs AD&D
Though AD&D insurance does add an extra layer of protection, there are many instances where it might not trigger, even in the case of an accidental death.
If you don’t die immediately because of an accident, your beneficiaries might not be able to collect on the AD&D policy. Excluded death can also include high-risk activities (like mountain climbing), death while you are under the influence, or a fatality that occurs while you’re committing a crime. High-risk jobs such as firefighters, law enforcement, or military members might not be able to qualify for AD&D policies.
Also, depending on how you are harmed in an accident can affect your benefits. Say you lose one eye; you would get less money than if you were totally blinded.
However, Life Insurance also has limits, mostly during the first few years of the policy. First, make sure you don’t lie on your application, as an insurer can deny your benefits or delay the payout if they discover fraud. Second, the first two years of Life Insurance are known as the contestability period, where coverage can be denied if you die by suicide or if the company finds any inconsistencies in your application.
It’s important to read all the details of any insurance policy you get or are shopping for so you know all the limitations and gaps in coverage.
Is AD&D Insurance Worth It?
AD&D insurance can provide valuable benefits, but it shouldn’t be a replacement for Life Insurance. The coverage provides financial security if you were to lose your eyesight in an accident or lose a limb. This helps make the transition easier and less stressful by giving you a financial cushion to pay bills and deal with medical costs.
Dying in an accident is always unexpected, unlike other causes of death that might give your family time to prepare, like a long-term illness. AD&D coverage can provide extra financial stability during a time when your family’s life is turned upside down.
When it comes to financially protecting your family in the event of your death, Life Insurance provides a bigger safety net with few gaps, regardless of how you die. AD&D is focused on protecting you and your family in the case of an accident and gives you an extra layer of financial security as a supplemental insurance policy.
