Understanding Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance

What Is It AD&D Insurance?

Purchasing an accidental death and dismemberment insurance policy, also called AD&D insurance, can be a valuable tool to provide financial protection for you or your loved ones. It is a protection against the worst-case scenario, an unexpected death or dismemberment, and a way to ensure that those dealing with a severe injury, or those left behind, will be able to survive financially.

Accidental Death and Dismemberment insurance is a type of insurance that pays the insured or their beneficiary a set amount of money if the insured’s death or dismemberment is the result of an accident. AD&D insurance is different from term life or permanent life insurance. AD&D policies are often purchased in addition to standard life insurance and the conditions for AD&D policies are much more restrictive than regular life insurance. AD&D insurance only covers certain kinds of accidental death and certain injuries from accidents that result in the loss of use of body parts, like eyes or limbs. It does not cover natural death or injury from illness.

On the positive side, the narrower terms of coverage are what makes AD&D insurance cost less than traditional life insurance. However, on the downside, the restrictive terms provide the insurance companies with more ways to deny claims – even those that seem to be completely accidental. In our experience, we have dealt with insurance companies that will try to apply extremely narrow definitions of the certain terms like “accidental” or “dismemberment” in an attempt to either deny a claim or limit how much they payout. However, courts have frequently ruled in favor of policyholders and beneficiaries in disputes over these definitions. Our skilled accidental death insurance attorneys know how to fight back against these companies.

Your Case Starts When the Insurance Company is Slow or Says No.

If your AD&D claim is being delayed or has been denied, do not give up – that is what the insurance company is hoping will happen. They often try to intimidate or frustrate claimants in an attempt to have you drop the claim. They may say the death or injury is not covered under the terms of the policy. They may claim the death was caused or contributed to by a pre-existing medical condition. They may claim the beneficiary missed a deadline or that the insured missed a payment. They may ask for unnecessary paperwork or phone calls to find an opening to deny benefits. They might transfer you back and forth between departments. All the while, they will be hoping you do not call a lawyer to review your options. Life Legal Services’ insurance attorneys have successfully fought these various tactics and technicalities insurance companies regularly use to attempt to get out of paying legitimate claims.

Contact Life Legal for a Free, No-Obligation Consultation.

If your AD&D claim is being delayed or has been denied, it is important that you contact us right away for a free, no-obligation consultation where we can discuss your options. Often these claims have filing and/or appeal deadlines that can be fatal to a claim if missed. The quicker you contact us, the sooner we can let you know whether the insurance company is dealing with you lawfully or if they are needlessly delaying or have unlawfully denied your claim. You do not have to fight these billion-dollar insurance companies alone to get the benefits you are owed.

Using our firm to fight for the benefits you are owed will cost you nothing up front, nothing throughout our representation, and nothing at the end unless we are successful. When we take on your case, we are committing our skills and experience along with all our resources to fight on your behalf.