Legal Definitions - accidental-death benefit

An Accidental-Death Benefit (ADB) is a specific feature sometimes included in a life insurance policy. It provides an additional payment to the policy's beneficiaries if the insured person dies directly as a result of an accident, as that term is precisely defined within the insurance policy document. This extra payment is typically a multiple of the policy's standard payout (for instance, double the original amount) and is only triggered if the death is accidental, not due to illness, old age, or other natural causes.

Here are a few examples to illustrate how an Accidental-Death Benefit might apply:

• Workplace Incident: Sarah, an engineer, had a life insurance policy with an ADB rider. While inspecting a construction site, she was tragically struck by a falling piece of equipment and died instantly. Because her death was a direct result of an unforeseen accident and not a natural cause, her beneficiaries would receive the standard life insurance payout plus the additional Accidental-Death Benefit.
• Travel Accident: Mark purchased a life insurance policy that included an ADB. During a family vacation, the car he was driving was involved in a severe collision, and Mark died from his injuries at the scene. Since his death was caused by an external, sudden, and unintended event (the car accident), his family would be eligible for both the base life insurance amount and the extra Accidental-Death Benefit.
• Home Incident: Emily had a life insurance policy with an ADB. One winter evening, a sudden and unexpected electrical fire broke out in her home, and she succumbed to smoke inhalation. As her death was directly caused by an accidental fire rather than an illness or pre-existing condition, her beneficiaries would receive the regular policy payout along with the additional Accidental-Death Benefit.