How Do I File An Accidental Death And Dismemberment Claim?

If you are insured by an Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) policy, your beneficiary will be entitled to benefits if an accident causes your death or dismemberment. Similarly, if you are the beneficiary of someone else’s AD&D policy, you may be entitled to benefits if an accident causes that person’s death or dismemberment. However, AD&D policies typically have stringent requirements and several exclusions to coverage. An insurance company will deny benefits whenever it is able to use a policy requirement or exclusion to do so. Therefore, it is important that you understand and properly follow the claims process.

When there has been a death or dismemberment caused by an accidental event, the first thing to do is gather all the relevant documentation, which will include:

• AD&D policy
• AD&D claim documents
• Copies of medical records
• Records of any hospital stays or surgery
• Autopsy reports
• Police/Accident reports
• Death certificate.

The next step will be demonstrating that your claim is payable because it is covered by the policy. The death or dismemberment must be the result of some type of accidental event. Simply because a death certificate or autopsy report characterizes death as an “accident” does not make it an accident in the skeptical eyes of an insurer. If there is any other contributing cause of the loss, such as an illness, medical event or intoxication, you can expect the insurance company to deny your claim. For example, if the insured passed away at a hospital, you should provide evidence that the death was caused by an accident and not solely by an illness, like a subdural hematoma, which may have been caused by an accidental event, such as a car accident or fall. The more relevant evidence you provide, the more likely the insurance company will pay your claim.

What Can I Do If My Claim Is Denied?

If your claim for AD&D benefits is denied, you should immediately contact an experienced accidental death insurance/AD&D lawyer. Insurance companies deny claims for many different reasons, and they often deny claims that should be paid. If your claim is denied, you will likely be left wondering what your options are or what to do next. An experienced accidental death insurance/AD&D lawyer will be able to evaluate the merits of the case and advise you on your next steps, which may be an administrative appeal to the same insurer or a lawsuit. A qualified lawyer can recommend documents to obtain, can perform legal research, can hire needed experts, and can assemble the evidence necessary to convince the insurer or a court of law that the accidental death/AD&D claim is payable.

At McKennon Law Group PC, we have the experienced and knowledgeable attorneys to provide you with the representation you need. We offer free consultations to assess your accidental death insurance/AD&D matter. Contact McKennon Law Group PC today and speak to our highly qualified team of accidental death insurance/AD&D lawyers for all your AD&D insurance needs.