What is included in a supplemental death benefit endorsement differs depending upon state laws and the offerings of an insurance carrier. A basic definition of an accidental death benefit (ADB) that is part of an auto insurance policy which pays if bodily injury sustained in a car accident causes the death of you or any family member.
In New York State some insurers offer accident death and dismemberment (AD&D) coverage that will pay you, your family members, or other occupants of your car, under the terms of the policy, a set amount for certain serious injuries or death caused by an accident while in your car. These AD&D amounts are payable in addition to any amounts collected under the No-Fault, liability, or other parts of the policy.
In Texas if your personal auto insurance policy includes Medical Payments or PIP, your insurer is required to pay a supplemental death benefit of up to $10,000 to survivors of any covered person killed in a car accident while buckled up or protected by an airbag. To collect, a beneficiary must provide proof of death and a police report or other evidence that the victim was protected by an airbag or seatbelt.
According to the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) the state has required auto insurer to offers a supplemental death benefits endorsement on auto policies since 1985. Texas auto insurance companies are required to offer special death benefits of up to $10,000 when certain policy holders are killed in auto accidents while protected by air bags or buckled up. For survivors to collect, a victim must have medical payments, personal injury protection or automobile death indemnity coverage. The policy was designed to promote the use of seat belts and car with air bags.
In general a supplemental death benefit endorsement is an optional addition to your personal auto insurance that provides payment to the beneficiary due to the a covered person being killed in an auto accident. The specifics of what a death benefit endorsement will pay depends upon state laws and the terms of the insurance policy.
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