What is accidental death benefit coverage?
Accidental death benefit (ADB or ADD) pays for death expenses if, in a covered auto accident, bodily injury causes the death of you or a covered family member. The benefit paid is according to the terms of your specific ADD policy.
Also referred to as accidental death and accidental death indemnity, ADB is not a required car insurance coverage type.
If you are killed in an auto accident without accidental death benefit coverage, your family may have to pay out-of-pocket for your death expenses. If you have other coverage (with auto or life insurance) that will pay out a death benefit, this coverage may be unnecessary.
Personal injury protection (PIP)
If you live in a no-fault state, your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverages typically come with a death benefit. For example, the usual PIP policy in Florida has a $5000 death benefit payout. In New York, the normal PIP coverage has a $2,000 death benefit (in addition to the $50,000 basic No-Fault limit), payable to the estate of a person eligible for No-Fault benefits who is killed in a motor vehicle accident.
MedPay
Medical Payments coverage (MedPay), usually optional, may also come with a death benefit or may cover funeral expenses.
If you want to ensure coverage for death resulting from a motor vehicle accident, you should read through your policy and discuss any questions about a death payout with your agent. Also, your state’s insurance regulator can give you information on your state’s laws and which coverages your state insurers can offer, including death benefits for injuries sustained in an auto accident.
— Michelle Megna contributed to this story.
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