Accidental death and dismemberment insurance – usually shortened to AD&D insurance – covers you if you unexpectedly die of something other than natural causes.

For example, it covers someone’s death in a car crash or workplace accident, but it would not cover someone who died of cancer or a heart attack.

AD&D, also known as accident insurance, also covers “dismemberment.” This translates to the loss of a body part or function, like loss of sight or hearing.

AD&D is not designed to be a substitute for traditional life insurance, because it offers specific coverage that applies under certain circumstances.

It covers accidental death as well as dismemberment, which includes the loss or loss of use of limbs, sight, hearing and speech in an accident.

Examples of deaths that might be covered by AD&D insurance include:

Drowning
A fall
Road accident
Accident involving heavy machinery

While anything can happen to anyone, people who work in jobs that are at a higher risk of a workplace accident may find accident insurance particularly attractive. Accident insurance is generally only offered up to a certain age. Canada Life’s Freedom to ChooseTM accident insurance for example offers coverage up to age 85, while our Freedom to Choose^TM health and dental insurance offers optional accident coverage for people up to age 71.

Because AD&D insurance only covers specific situations, it’s relatively inexpensive.

Accident insurance can be bought wherever you purchase your life insurance policy. For example, if you have workplace benefits with Canada Life, you may be able to add this coverage to your policy as part of Freedom to Choose™ accident insurance, if you’re eligible under your plan. It may also already be part of the group benefit plan selected by your employer.