what is considered accidental death 
insurance companies define accidental death as an event that strictly occurs as a result of an accident deaths from car crashes slips choking drowning machinery and any other situations that can t be controlled are deemed accidental in the case of a fatal accident death usually must occur within a period specified in the policy some policies accidental death benefits may also cover dismemberment total or partial loss of limbs burns instances of paralysis and other similar cases these riders are called accidental death and dismemberment ad d insurance accidents typically exclude things like acts of war and death caused by illegal activities death from an illness is also excluded any hazardous hobbies that the insured regularly engages in race car driving bungee jumping or other risky activities are often excluded as well types of accidental death benefit planswith a group life supplement the accidental death benefit plan is included as part of a group life insurance contract such as those offered by your employer the benefit amount is usually the same as that of the group life benefit a voluntary accidental death benefit plan is offered to members of a group as a separate elective benefit offered by your employer premiums are your responsibility you generally pay these premiums through regular payroll deductions employees are covered for accidents that occur while on the job policies pay out benefits for voluntary accident insurance even if the insured party isn t at work the accidental death benefit plan with travel accident insurance is provided through an employee benefit plan and provides supplemental accident protection to workers while they are traveling on company business unlike voluntary accident insurance the employer usually pays the entire premium for this coverage some group accidental death benefit plans also provide coverage for dependents if you have a spouse or partner or children who depend on your salary to pay bills and other costs it may be a good idea to enroll in an accidental death benefit this additional insurance could help them out by providing money to pay bills pay off a mortgage or provide money to your children for future events like college in addition if you co own a business your business partner could be listed on your insurance policy to cover any outstanding debts in the event of your death example of accidental death benefitas a hypothetical example assume you have a 500 000 life insurance policy with a 1 million accidental death benefit rider if you die due to a heart attack a natural cause the insurance company will pay your beneficiary 500 000 if you die as a result of a car accident your beneficiary will receive the 500 000 life insurance benefit plus the 1 million accidental death benefit for a total payout of 1 5 million 