Key Takeaways
- Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) coverage comes standard with many travel insurance policies and provides a cash payment to you or your beneficiaries if you suffer an accident on your trip that results in severe injury or death.
- The 3 main types of AD&D travel coverage are 24-hour AD&D, Common Carrier AD&D, and Flight Only AD&D.
- 24-hour AD&D is the most comprehensive form and protects you during the entire trip, whereas the other two forms apply only during flights or travel via common carriers.
- Although AD&D is not typically considered an “essential” travel insurance benefit, it can provide substantial supplemental life insurance for your trip, making it a prime differentiator between similar policies.
- You can find the best AD&D coverage for your trip by comparing quotes on Squaremouth.
What Is Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance?
Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D), also known as travel accident insurance, is a form of travel life insurance that provides a one-time cash payment, known as a principal sum, if you suffer an accidental injury that results in permanent disability or death during your trip.
The loss can’t be related to a health issue like a stroke or heart attack, but instead an accident, and generally has to occur within a certain time frame (e.g., 365 days) after the accident. Common scenarios that Accidental Death and Dismemberment insurance can cover include:
- Loss of life or disappearance of your remains
- Loss of eyesight in one or both eyes
- Loss of hearing in one or both ears
- Loss of hands and feet
- Loss of thumb or index finger
NOTE: AD&D does not directly cover medical expenses due to an accident on your trip. If you’re seeking medical coverage, look for plans with Emergency Medical and Medical Evacuation insurance.
Types of AD&D Travel Insurance
There are 3 types of AD&D travel insurance that offer different breadths of coverage:
- 24-Hour AD&D Travel Insurance
- Common Carrier AD&D Travel Insurance
- Flight Only AD&D Travel Insurance
The difference between these lies in where you are when an accident occurs, and these are outlined below.
24-Hour AD&D Travel Insurance
The most comprehensive form of AD&D insurance is 24-hour AD&D, which covers accidental loss of life or limb at any point of your trip, from your departure date to your return date.
That said, 24-Hour AD&D typically offers the lowest payout rate, since it doesn’t place restrictions on when and where a covered accident occurs to be eligible for a claim.
Common Carrier AD&D Travel Insurance
Common Carrier AD&D covers accidental loss of life or limb while traveling on a common carrier during a covered trip.
A common carrier is defined as any public and ticketed mode of transportation, such as flight, cruise ship, train, or bus.
This type of coverage falls between 24-Hour AD&D and Flight Only AD&D in scope, protecting you while you’re using qualifying transportation but not during the rest of your trip.
Flight Only AD&D Travel Insurance
Flight Only AD&D provides a cash payment if a covered accident results in loss of life or limb while you are traveling as a passenger on a commercial airline.
Most plans will cover accidents that occur while flying, boarding, or alighting from a licensed airplane. It’s the most restrictive form of dismemberment coverage, but generally offers the most reimbursement in the event of a covered accident.
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Compare top plans & providers to find the best AD&D coverage for your trip. Compare AD&D Policies
How Does Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance Work?
AD&D plans work by providing a lump cash payment, or a “principal sum”, in the event of a covered accident and injury.
One of the main differences that makes this coverage unique is that it acts as a supplemental compensation payment, whereas other travel insurance benefits reimburse you for unexpected costs you incur.
The benefit amount varies by policy, but typically falls within the following ranges based on policies sold on our site:
- 24-Hour AD&D Travel Insurance: $10,000 to $50,000 per traveler
- Common Carrier AD&D Travel Insurance: $25,000 to $100,000 per traveler
- Flight Only AD&D Travel Insurance: $25,000 to $100,000 per traveler
AD&D policy coverage is always sold and listed at the maximum possible payout limit for severe scenarios like death. However, it’s important to note that certain injuries may only warrant a partial payout, as the cash payment amount varies based on the type and severity of injury. For example:
Some plans will pay 100% of the principal sum if you lose sight in both eyes, but 50% if you lose sight in one eye. The same goes for limbs and other body parts.
Additionally, this coverage applies independently of other life insurance policies, meaning you may receive multiple payouts from your travel insurance plan and other AD&D policies under your name, if the accident meets their criteria.
For the most accurate coverage information, you should refer to your policy’s Certificate of Insurance. This document will include details regarding benefit amounts, exclusions, and additional benefits offered by the policy.
You can reach one of our agents 7 days a week at 1-800-240-0369 to get help understanding policy details or finding a plan.
Which Type of Travel Accident Insurance Do I Need?
For most travelers, 24-Hour AD&D coverage is arguably the best choice because it covers you for the full extent of your trip. Flight Only and Common Carrier AD&D can offer higher coverage limits, but they generally cover portions of your trip where accidents are less likely to happen.
Although you may be concerned about flight accidents, studies show that motor vehicle injuries and drowning are the leading cause of injury and death during travel. These types of accidents are only covered by 24-Hour AD&D.
That said, there are situations where other forms of AD&D might make sense, and the right type of coverage depends on your specific needs and the type of trip you’re taking.
Considering choosing:
- 24-Hour AD&D if you want the most comprehensive coverage
- Common Carrier AD&D if your trip mostly consists of travel on common carriers. For example, if you’re going on a cruise where you don’t plan to disembark, or you’re only planning very low-risk excursions and are more concerned about accidents on board
- Flight Only AD&D if you’re concerned about flying or you want AD&D with a very high coverage limit
Be sure to read your plan’s certificate of insurance closely to ensure your policy covers all of the potential scenarios that you are concerned about.
What Does AD&D Insurance Exclude?
AD&D insurance doesn’t cover every scenario. Because coverage varies by insurer, it’s important to understand what is and isn’t covered by your particular plan.
Common exclusions include injury or death related to:
- Loss caused by illnesses rather than an accident
- Loss resulting from a pre-existing condition
- Accidents that occur before or after your policy was purchased
- Being under the influence of drugs and alcohol
- High-risk activities like skydiving or bungee jumping that are explicitly excluded by your plan
- Pregnancy
- Illegal acts and activities
- War and military action
- Piloting your own plane or acting as a crew member
- Self-harm
How Do I Buy Travel Accident Insurance?
You can get travel accident insurance directly from a travel insurer, through a travel insurance marketplace like Squaremouth, via a credit card, or membership in organizations like AAA.
AD&D coverage is already included in many comprehensive travel insurance policies, so finding this coverage is relatively simple.
That said, here are a few of our top tips on how to choose the right coverage for your trip:
- Check for any existing coverage: Check whether your life insurance, your credit card travel insurance, or your AAA membership already includes an AD&D benefit.
- Decide which type of AD&D coverage is best suited for you: Determine whether you want 24-Hour, Common Carrier, or Flight Only AD&D coverage. For instance, if you’re cruising, you might opt for Common Carrier insurance.
- Determine your optimal AD&D coverage limits: If you simply want an additional financial safety net, a lower limit may be sufficient. However, to help cover lost income for your family, consider policies with limits of $100,000 or more.
- Decide on other travel insurance protections you may need: Since AD&D is generally part of a comprehensive travel insurance policy, you should also weigh your coverage options for other benefits like Trip Cancellation insurance and medical travel insurance.
- Search for travel insurance quotes: We recommend using our travel insurance quote tool to get quotes from over 20 insurers at once. Simply input your trip details, including destination, trip cost, and your travel dates, to get a list of quotes for your trip.
- Use filters to find the right coverage: Our quote form filters allow you to locate plans with your target amount of 24-Hour AD&D coverage. You can also filter to find plans that offer AD&D for specialized trips, like ski vacations and cruises.
- Compare plans side-by-side for value versus coverage: Our quote tool also lets you select up to 4 policies to review side by side in a grid format, to easily compare benefit levels, coverage, and cost for each policy. This is a quick and easy way to find the lowest-priced plan with the coverage level you need. Be sure to compare benefit limits and exclusions, as these can vary significantly between insurers.
- Purchase coverage early for the best options: Aim to purchase coverage within 14-21 days of your initial trip payment, to qualify for a Pre-Existing Condition Waiver and other time-sensitive benefits like financial default and Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) coverage.
Which Travel Insurance Plans Offer the Best AD&D Coverage?
While many travel insurance plans include AD&D benefits, some policies on our site stand out for offering 24-Hour AD&D coverage with some of the highest limits on the market.
John Hancock Gold
John Hancock Gold offers one of the highest benefit limits on our site, with up to $500,000 per person in 24-Hour AD&D coverage. It also has minimal exclusions and covers losses that occur up to 365 days after a covered accident.
Detour Access
Detour Access is a strong option for adventure travelers, since it covers certain high-risk activities, like scuba diving. It offers a relatively high payout for 24-Hour AD&D of up to $50,000 per person.
Battleface Discovery
For travelers prioritizing affordability, this plan offers up to $100,000 per person in 24-Hour AD&D coverage for one of the lowest price points.
We offer an add-on from Tin Leg that provides $50,000 in AD&D coverage per person and can be added to any travel insurance policy during checkout.
Is Accidental Death and Dismemberment Worth It?
AD&D insurance is worth buying if you’re planning to participate in risky activities, want extra protection for your family, or aren’t covered by another life insurance policy.
AD&D coverage often comes automatically included on many comprehensive travel insurance plans, and can be an inexpensive add-on for some policies that don’t include it. In most cases, this benefit is a “nice to have” and may not be the defining factor for purchasing, but it can help you decide between two plans that are otherwise very similar.
Ultimately, it could have a substantial impact if you experience a catastrophic accident while on your trip.
Who should consider AD&D for travel?
- Primary breadwinners: AD&D can help replace your income in case you are injured or killed while traveling.
- Retirees/seniors worried about Medicare gaps: Since AD&D isn’t included in Medicare, you may want additional protection for travel.
- Cruisers: Some cruise plans offer Common Carrier AD&D with a high limit that can apply to accidents on board the ship.
- Remote-destination travelers: Traveling far from medical facilities puts you at higher risk of an accident taking a turn for the worse.
- Adventure travelers (hiking, skiing, scuba): High-risk activities bring a higher risk of catastrophic accidents, for which you’ll need 24-Hour AD&D coverage.
FAQs: Travel Accident Insurance
Yes, travel insurance can provide coverage in the event of a plane crash, but the protection depends on the type of policy you purchase.
Flight Only and Common Carrier AD&D pay a lump sum to you or your beneficiary if you experience a loss of life or limb while you are traveling on a commercial aircraft. It’s important to find a policy with this coverage if you have specific concerns about the risks of flying.
Also, most comprehensive travel insurance policies include coverage for emergency medical treatment and medical evacuations, and some include accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) coverage if you’re injured or killed in a plane crash while traveling.
It depends. If your plan covers motorcycles, you may be eligible for reimbursement for medical expenses and, in the event of a catastrophic injury or death, a lump-sum payment through 24-Hour AD&D coverage. However, some policies may exclude motorcycle riding as a high-risk activity.
Yes, comprehensive travel insurance generally covers medical expenses resulting from car accidents. It may also offer a lump payout for qualifying catastrophic injuries and death due to a car accident if the plan includes 24-Hour AD&D coverage.
It depends on the policy. If your travel insurance plan includes Emergency Medical and Medical Evacuation, then you can be reimbursed for medical expenses due to an accident. If your policy includes Accidental Death and Dismemberment coverage, then you can get a lump cash payout to help cover lost wages and other expenses in case of severe injury or death.
Yes, if the travel insurance plan includes Medical Emergency and Medical Evacuation and doesn’t exclude the activity, it may cover medical expenses due to an accident during an excursion. Also, 24-Hour AD&D coverage may provide a lump cash payout in case of severe injury or death during an excursion.
It depends on the plan. If you have a plan that covers skiing, you can get coverage for ski accidents, including Emergency Medical, Medical Evacuation, and 24-Hour AD&D. However, some travel insurance plans may exclude skiing as a hazardous activity.
No, accidents that occur while you’re under the influence of drugs or alcohol are excluded from many travel insurance policies.
Many credit cards offer some form of Travel Accident Insurance. Popular cards include the American Express Platinum Card, Capital One Venture X card, and Chase Sapphire cards.
Medicare typically doesn’t cover medical care outside the U.S. and doesn’t include an AD&D benefit. If you’re traveling internationally, purchasing a travel insurance policy with Emergency Medical and Medical Evacuation coverage is often recommended.
No, AD&D doesn’t directly cover the cost of returning your remains home. This is typically covered under Medical Evacuation insurance. However, you can potentially use the payout from AD&D insurance to cover the costs of the repatriation.
Pre-existing conditions are typically not relevant to triggering or excluding AD&D coverage, as AD&D relates to accidents and injuries, not health conditions or illness.
That said, it’s completely possible to find policies that cover pre-existing conditions and offer AD&D coverage. See our top travel insurance plans for pre-existing conditions for more info.
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Last updated: October 2, 2026