Disability & Life Insurance and ERISA Attorneys
Doing What’s Right For Greater Colorado and the Rocky Mountain Region
Disability & Life Insurance and ERISA Attorneys
Doing What’s Right For Greater Colorado and the Rocky Mountain Region

Helping You Obtain Accidental Death And Dismemberment Benefits

The loss of a family member can be a devastating time, leaving one to wonder how they will move forward, emotionally and financially. If the deceased was the financial provider of the family, you may not be sure how to overcome what appears to be a great obstacle. Many people are insured (usually through coverage obtained through employment) for accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) benefits. Such coverage is often in addition to basic life insurance benefits. Accidental death and dismemberment is a unique type of insurance; it is different than life insurance under which benefits are paid if your loved one died of natural causes. Under AD&D coverage, the beneficiary of the policy will only receive benefits if the death was “accidental,” for example, death caused by a car accident, truck accident, motorcycle accident, mechanical malfunction, malpractice or any other type of accident.

This type of insurance is also beneficial because it may cover accidents that cause dismemberment (loss of a body part) or loss of speech, hearing or vision. Under an AD&D policy, benefits are payable for the death of the insured, if such death was due to an “accident” as defined under the policy.

Accidental death and dismemberment insurance policies exist in order to provide peace of mind to individuals in this circumstance. Your policy may entitle you to benefits, if your death or dismemberment was the cause of another party, and if your situation meets certain requirements. While you may feel your claim is straightforward and your situation obviously meets these requirements, the insurance companies may not agree. Insurance companies will look for ways out of paying these benefits and will rely on faulty information. This “evidence” is often taken out of context and misrepresented throughout the documentation.

With an office in Denver, the insurance law attorneys at McDermott Law, LLC, represent clients throughout Greater Colorado. Call 303-964-1800 or complete our contact form for a free Review of Denied Claims.

Additional Benefits Under Basic AD&D Coverage

Many accidental death and dismemberment policies provide an additional benefit to be payable for a loss under the general terms of coverage. Such benefit is payable in addition to any benefit payable under the AD&D policy. The additional benefits sometimes available under AD&D policies are as follows:

  • Loss of life as a result of an automobile accident while using a seat belt
  • Loss of life as a result of an automobile accident while in a car with an air bag
  • Tuition reimbursement for your dependent spouse or civil union partner
  • Tuition reimbursement for your dependent child
  • Child care expenses for your dependent child
  • Return of remains (if the loss of life occurs outside a specific mile radius of your home)

Most of the above additional benefits only apply if the insured suffers a loss of life. Additional benefits that might apply for a loss under the dismemberment portion of an AD&D policy might be as follows:

  • Home alteration and vehicle modification expense
  • Loss of life as a result of an accident involving a common carrier

Losses Typically Not Covered

Most AD&D policies will not cover losses due to:

  • Suicide or attempted suicide
  • Intentionally self-inflicted injuries
  • Sickness
  • Medical or surgical treatment of sickness
  • Any bacterial or viral infection
  • Commission of or attempt to commit a felony
  • Air travel
  • War or any act of war
  • Being legally intoxicated or under the influence of any narcotic (although many policies do not contain this exception)

Contact Us

If your life insurance or accidental death and dismemberment claim has been denied, or you believe that it will be, give the Denver life insurance attorneys at McDermott Law a call at 303-964-1800 for a free Review of Denied Claims, no-obligation consultation. You can also complete our contact form. We advise and represent clients throughout Colorado and the Rocky Mountain region.