Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance (AD&D) is a type of life insurance policy that pays only if the policy owner dies or is maimed in an accident. People often choose AD&D as a supplement to standard life insurance as an additional safeguard should you get into a serious accident. But what should an AD&D policy cover to provide the most comprehensive protection possible? Lawyer Stephen B. Kaufman, P.C., in the Bronx, NY, answers this question below.

Protection for Your Beneficiaries

First and foremost, an AD&D policy must offer a payout to your beneficiaries in the event you lose your life in an accident. The exact payment varies based on your insurer and the plan you choose. Be sure to read the fine print of your policy as restrictions and exclusions are normal for AD&D. Your plan, for instance, will likely stipulate that an accident must be reported within a stated time frame to qualify for a payout. Also, it's common for an insurer to request proof that the accident in question was the cause of the injuries that led to death.

Financial Support If You Lose a Body Part

Dismemberment may not be the most pleasant word in the English language, but it does describe one of the key circumstances for which AD&D provides a level of protection. If you lose a body part, your AD&D will pay you a certain amount of money. Understand, however, that plans often pay less to a person who lost one body part, typically 50% of the full benefit amount, than they do to those who lost multiple body parts. The loss of eyesight, hearing, or speech might also qualify for a payout, so check your policy if this is the situation you're in.

If you've been in a serious accident, or you've lost a loved one in such an accident, make certain you have the full protection of the law on your side. Personal injury lawyer Stephen B. Kaufman, P.C., has served the Bronx area for more than four decades. Call (718) 822-0500, visit his law firm's website, or connect with them on Facebook or Twitter to arrange a consultation with a lawyer.