What is Accidental Death benefit
Our accidental death benefit (ADB) acts as short-term cover when we cannot provide an immediate decision on your life insurance application. We offer this as it is important for both you and your loved ones to have financial support while you are waiting.
How accidental death benefit can help
In the instance of an accidental death, we may need to write to you and request additional medical or personal information.
The accidental death benefit is there to keep you covered whilst this process takes place, lifting some of the initial financial stress. The cover expires when the decision has been made. The outcome will be that either we accept, postpone, or reject your application. You can also let us know if you no longer wish to proceed.
Features of accidental death benefit
- There is a guaranteed acceptance.
- The benefit is free for anyone left waiting for a decision.
- We can pay-out up to £100,000 or the amount of cover applied for, whichever is lower.
- This will be automatically in place when we receive your application.
- Covers against accidental death, but not death through a pre-existing medical condition or suicide.
What you need to know
Accidental death benefit provides you with cover in the instance that a bodily injury is sustained and caused by accidental, violent, external and visible means, and is confirmed as the sole cause of death.
The following instances would not be covered by accidental death benefit:
- Suicide, intentional and serious self-injury or an event where, in our reasonable opinion, you took your own life
- Taking part or attempting to take part in a dangerous sport or pastime
- Taking part or attempting to take part in an aerial flight other than as a fare paying passenger on a licensed airline
- Committing, attempting or provoking an assault or criminal offence
- War (whether declared or not), riot or civil commotion
- Complications and/or effects where there is a known and understood risk of surgical/medical procedures/medications
- Taking alcohol or drugs (unless these drugs were prescribed by a registered doctor in the United Kingdom)
- Being in control of a motor vehicle and acting in a dangerous or reckless manner, or drink or drug driving.
- Where your application is to replace an existing policy with us, while you remain covered under the existing policy
- Accidents that happened before your application.
Reasons why you might wait for a decision
Unfortunately, there are certain circumstances where we might not be able to provide you with an instant decision. Every life insurance application is personal and differs from the rest. It can be that there is no set answer to a question within your application and this may present us with a new situation we had not accounted for previously. In these instances, we may ask for additional details on your situation.
These circumstances only happen with a small proportion of the applications we receive. We do our best to make a decision as soon as we have received your additional details so that you can have peace of mind as soon as possible.
Making a claim for accidental death benefit
Accidental death benefit claims are slightly different to life insurance claims as the policy technically hasn’t begun yet. This process is similar to the process involved in a policy claim, even though the policy has not yet begun.
We only require the applicant’s personal details when a claim is made, and the pay-out would be classed as a part of your estate. This means it would be distributed in accordance with the terms of your Will or, in the absence of a Will, according to the rules of intestacy.
Beagle Street have bereavement trained specialists to support you throughout to process of making a claim. If you do have any questions regarding the process then please reach out to our call centre or read our helpful FAQ.
