What Is AD&D Insurance? Accidental Death and Dismemberment Explained
AD&D stands for accidental death and dismemberment. It pays a benefit if an accident causes death or certain serious injuries, such as the loss of a limb or sight. Employers usually offer it together with group life. This guide explains how it works.
What AD&D covers
Accidental death
A benefit is paid if an accident causes death within the period the policy sets.
Dismemberment and loss
A benefit, often a percentage of the full amount, is paid for covered injuries such as loss of a limb or sight.
Not for illness
AD&D does not pay for death from illness. Group life covers that, and disability covers income loss.
How employers offer AD&D
Paired with group life
Many employers include AD&D with basic group life at the same benefit amount.
Voluntary AD&D
Employees can often buy additional AD&D coverage at their own cost.
Cost it out
Our premium calculator models what group life and AD&D cost for your group.
Back to the benefits glossary
Plain-English definitions for the terms employers and employees ask about.
AD&D adds a layer, not a replacement.
AD&D is narrow by design. It responds to accidents, not illness, and policies list their exclusions. It sits next to group life and disability, and it does not replace either.
We review the benefit amount, the exclusions and how the pieces fit together when we design the ancillary package, so employees understand what each one does.
Questions we get
What does AD&D stand for?
Accidental death and dismemberment.
Is AD&D the same as life insurance?
No. AD&D pays only for accidental causes. Group life pays for death from any covered cause.
What does AD&D usually exclude?
Death from illness and the other causes listed in the policy. Read the exclusions before relying on it.
Can employees buy extra AD&D?
Many plans offer voluntary AD&D that employees pay for themselves.
Send us your renewal.
We’ll tell you whether it looks competitive, where we see opportunity, and the five questions we’d put to your carrier. No cost, and no obligation to move anything.
The renewal letter
Your current plan summary
Contribution split by tier
Enrolled counts by tier
Four documents — two more if your group is 50 or more. Nothing else; every extra one is a reason to postpone.
An independent employee benefits consulting firm. We look at the entire benefits program: cost, plan performance, risk and administration.
Switch to CFH. Unhappy with your broker? Your employees won’t notice. You will. →