How Does A Life Insurance Rider Work? 
The way a life insurance rider works is like this . You take out a life insurance policy that provides your basic coverage . Some policies have features built into them without adding a rider -LRB- especially living benefit policies -RRB- . But most policies , however many features they have built within them , do offer some riders . Onto this core policy , you add riders for the extra features that you want . Most riders have a charge , but some are free . The options include Child Riders -LRB- to cover minor dependents -RRB- , Accidental Death Rider -LRB- pays extra in case of death due to accident -RRB- , Waiver of Premium Rider -LRB- waives the policy premium if you are disabled -RRB- , Disability Income Rider -LRB- pays a percent of your income to you if you are disabled -RRB- , Term Rider -LRB- adds a Term policy to a Permanent policy for you or another person -RRB- . Terminal Illness Rider -LRB- allows you to use part of the death benefit while still alive , if diagnosed as terminally ill -RRB- , and Return of Premium Rider -LRB- pays back all your premiums if death does not occur by the end of the term -RRB- , among others . 