However if you have elected to purchase an Accidental Death Rider, the life insurance policy will pay more than the death benefit amount, sometimes double or triple that amount. This is sometimes referred to as "Double Indemnity" life insurance. If you have accidental death your policy would pay twice the face amount of coverage upon your death resulting from an accident.
These riders adding coverage are also sometimes sold as separate life insurance polices known as Accidental Death Insurance, or AD& D.
For the purpose of such life insurance riders or AD&D polices, an accidental death is defined as a death that is neither intentionally caused by a human being, such as a homicide or suicide, nor the result of natural causes such as heart disease or cancer.
There are usually other limitations on accidental death benefits, including death during a surgical procedure, or from a bacterial infection, hernia, or an overdose of drugs.
And, most accidental death insurance policies or riders do not cover high risk activities; such as, acts of war, skydiving or race car driving.
Learn more about accidental death benefit insurance