How Is AD&D Different From Life Insurance? 
An Accidental Death and Dismemberment policy is a life insurance product . It can come in two different forms . There are term and permanent life insurance policies that offer AD&D as a rider to the life insurance to increase the face amount proceeds in case of accidental death . The dismemberment pays on a schedule depending on the limbs effected . There are also AD&D standalone policies that only cover an accidental death or dismemberment . The plus side of these polices usually require little or no underwriting which gives ill people an opportunity to have some life insurance coverage were as they may not qualify for any other type of life insurance . They are also very affordable premiums . The downside is the odds of dying accidental versus dying from an illness are very very high . This is why they are easy and cheap , because the odds are in the life insurance companies favor not to pay a claim . 