Do I need supplemental life and AD&D insurance?

Asked by: Jerrold Gorczany  |  Last update: November 6, 2025
Score: 4.3/5 (43 votes)

So, if your goal is to provide your family with a financial safety net regardless of how you die, life insurance is the right purchase. AD&D could be a good supplemental life insurance policy, especially if you can get it free through your employer.

Do I need both ad&d and life insurance?

Yes, if both your AD&D and life insurance cover the reason for your death, your family will receive both benefits. If you die from a cause not covered by AD&D, your family will receive only the life insurance benefit.

Is voluntary life and ad&d worth it?

Due to the low premiums, VAD&D is sometimes attractive to younger people who may not have the income to support a full life insurance policy. However, VAD&D only pays out in very specific circumstances. While it may be worth getting if your employer provides it, VAD&D is no substitute for a full life insurance policy.

Is supplemental life insurance necessary?

If you want to make sure you have enough life insurance coverage beyond your employer's basic group life insurance policy, some form of supplemental insurance makes sense.

Is it worth getting supplemental insurance?

Depending on your financial situation, you may need help covering the bills of an emergency even though you have insurance coverage. Supplemental insurance can help provide the peace of mind of knowing your family won't struggle to make ends meet.

AD&D Insurance Vs. Life Insurance : Life Insurance Advice

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Do I really need a Medicare Supplement plan?

Supplemental insurance is advisable for those with Medicare to help cover out-of-pocket costs and gaps in coverage, offering financial protection for deductibles, coinsurance, and other medical expenses not fully covered by Medicare.

What age should you get supplemental insurance?

If you are 65 or older, you may be able to purchase a Medicare Supplement insurance plan during the Medicare Supplement Open Enrollment Period. This period lasts for six months and begins on the first day of the month in which you are both 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare Part B.

How much life insurance should I have?

Determining how much life insurance you need depends on your income replacement, debts, and the needs of your dependents. Here are some general guidelines on how much term life insurance is enough: A general rule of thumb is to buy a policy worth 8 to 10 times an individual's annual income.

Why would a person consider supplemental insurance?

Who buys supplemental insurance coverage and why? You may be a right fit for additional insurance coverage if you: Have a family history of certain types of diseases, such as cancer, heart disease, stroke, etc. Want additional financial protection in the event of unexpected accidents or injuries.

What happens to my supplemental life insurance when I retire?

At age 65 Supplemental Life Insurance is reduced by 50 percent, then to a flat amount at age 70.

Is supplemental ad&d worth it?

For younger people, who are statistically more likely to die in accidents, and those who work in hazardous professions, AD&D can be a useful supplement. However, for overall coverage and financial security, life insurance is the more reliable option.

Do I really need voluntary life insurance?

You may need voluntary life insurance if your employer's group life insurance isn't enough to cover your beneficiaries' needs and you don't have any other existing policies. For instance, your death benefit may need to be high enough to cover your children's education, mortgage payments and everyday expenses.

Does Dave Ramsey recommend AD&D insurance?

If you or your wife died, the other could invest the insurance money and replace that lost income. You do not—I repeat, not—need accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance. These policies are cheap, but they're pretty much worthless because of the long list of conditions they won't pay out for.

When should I get accidental death and dismemberment insurance?

To protect your income in case you become ill or injured and can't work, look into disability insurance. If your employer offers AD&D insurance at no charge, it's worth opting into that perk. Otherwise, you may want to buy an AD&D policy only if you have a risky job or hobby and are prone to accidents as a result.

Is a stroke considered accidental death?

Natural causes: Is a heart attack, stroke, cancer or dying from other illnesses considered an accidental death? Dying a natural death, or of natural causes, is not considered an accidental death.

Does supplemental life insurance cover natural death?

Q: Does supplemental life insurance cover natural death? A: It all depends on the type of policy. As mentioned, an AD&D policy only pays a death benefit if the insured is seriously injured or killed in an accident, as defined by the policy.

Why is it not a good idea to have supplemental insurance?

Because supplemental insurance does not qualify for protections offered by the Affordable Care Act, there may be limits imposed on the benefits you receive. The insurer may choose to deny a claim based on your medical history or pre-existing conditions or place certain caps on benefits resulting in reduced benefits.

Is supplemental life insurance worth it?

Supplemental life insurance has many benefits that can help you and your loved ones. It may be worth it to seek supplemental life insurance if your existing coverage doesn't meet all of your specific needs, or if it won't provide your spouse or other family members with enough support in the event of your passing.

Who really needs life insurance?

People with young children are strongly recommended to have life insurance to protect their family. Homeowners should take out life insurance so that the death benefit can pay off the mortgage. Business owners and those who want to pass down a financial legacy are also advised to purchase life insurance.

What does Dave Ramsey recommend for life insurance?

Core Ramsey Teaching: You only need life insurance while you have people depending on your income. Buy a 10–20-year term policy worth 10–12 times your annual income. Since life insurance is only for the short-term, you should only buy term life insurance. (Hence the name.)

What is the rule of thumb for life insurance coverage?

By comparison, according to a general rule-of-thumb in the life insurance industry, life insurance should ideally cover ten times salary, plus some extra, such as $100,000 for each child.

What is the difference between AD&D and life insurance?

Though it might seem like these two types of insurance are very similar, they focus on different aspects of protection. AD&D covers you for accidents (which might be fatal), and Life Insurance protects your loved ones financially in the case of your death.

Why are people leaving Medicare Advantage plans?

Key takeaways: People leave Medicare Advantage plans because out-of-pocket costs vary between plans, network restrictions can cause frustration, prior authorization requests can delay care, and it can be difficult to use the additional benefits they provide.

Does supplemental life insurance increase with age?

The cost of supplemental life insurance will increase with your age or with an increase in the amount of coverage you have.

At what age do you no longer need health insurance?

If you're covered by a parent's job-based plan, your coverage usually ends when you turn 26. But check with the employer or plan. Some states and plans have different rules. If you're on a parent's Marketplace plan, you can remain covered through December 31 of the year you turn 26 (or the age permitted in your state).