What is the primary function of an Accidental Death Benefit (ADB) rider?

The primary function of an Accidental Death Benefit (ADB) rider is to provide an extra payment to the beneficiary if the insured dies as a result of an accident. This rider enhances the basic life insurance policy by offering additional financial support specifically when the death occurs due to an accident, differentiating it from standard life insurance payouts that apply regardless of the cause of death. The benefit usually adds a specific amount to the death benefit of the policy, providing increased financial security for the insured’s beneficiaries in the unfortunate event of a fatal accident.

Other options do not accurately describe the primary function of an ADB rider. For instance, increasing the policy's cash value or reducing premiums does not relate to the additional death benefit feature tied to accidental death. Similarly, covering funeral expenses is not a core aspect of this rider, as that is typically addressed in the regular life insurance benefits rather than through an ADB component.