What is Supplemental Life Insurance?

Accidental death and dismemberment insurance

In some supplemental life insurance plans, you have the option to add coverage in the event of accidental death. This type of add-on rider can provide extra benefits if you were to pass suddenly due to an unintentional death or dismemberment.¹ Accidental death and dismemberment insurance can be helpful because many families may not be financially prepared for the sudden loss of a loved one.

Aflac offers an accidental death benefit rider that you can add to your life insurance policy for added coverage. This rider provides an additional death benefit payout amount if the policyholder passes away due to a covered accident. Alternatively, Aflac offers accident insurance that pays benefits for a variety of covered accidents.

Supplemental child life insurance

You may have the ability to add on coverage to help protect your children, acting as supplemental child term life insurance. This type of child term rider can can provide coverage if the child dies before a certain age.² In some spaces, it can also be referred to as juvenile life insurance. This type of coverage may help provide solace in a destabilizing time.

Supplemental spouse insurance

In some cases, you can purchase additional coverage for your spouse. This can be referred to as supplemental spouse life insurance. This type of add-on can work with different types of policies, like term and whole life insurance.

The benefits you’ll receive from this type of supplemental life insurance depend on the coverage you choose. In some cases, a spousal/domestic insurance plans offer coverage to your partner, which is a percentage of the primary policyholder’s plan.³

Joint life insurance

Joint life insurance is another option for dual-income married couples or business partners with an insurable interest. In some joint policies, the death benefit won’t be paid out until both partners pass away. This is sometimes called a "second-to-die" or a "survivorship life insurance" policy. Another option is having benefits that can be accessed when the first person dies, which is referred to as “first to die” policy. This is a popular choice for high-earning families, as it may have certain tax benefits.⁴ This type of plan is not available at all insurance companies, so we recommend doing your research before obtaining this type of policy.

Final expense whole life insurance

Final expense life insurance (sometimes referred to as burial insurance) is a type of whole life insurance policy with no medical exam that is designed to help loved ones prepare for the costs that come in the final stage of life. Final expense life insurance is typically less expensive than traditional life insurance as it has lower face amounts, usually not exceeding $50,000. Aflac offers final expense whole life insurance that can help your loved ones cover out-of-pocket medical expenses, legal and accounting costs, and funeral and burial costs after your passing.

Term life insurance

Term life insurance provides coverage for a specific period of time typically ranging from 10 to 30 years. This type of policy can help cover temporary financial obligations, such as a mortgage, childcare expenses, or college tuition. You can add supplemental term life insurance to increase your overall death benefit beyond what’s provided by your employer or existing policy, helping ensure your family’s financial needs are met during key life stages. Aflac offers term life insurance with comprehensive coverage and reasonable premiums.

Whole life insurance

Whole life insurance is a type of permanent policy that provides coverage for your entire life. This policy includes a cash value growth component that you can borrow against or withdraw from once you’ve accumulated enough over time. You may choose to get supplemental whole life insurance if you’d like permanent coverage that extends beyond a workplace plan or to provide an inheritance or legacy for your family. Aflac offers whole life insurance that provide lifetime coverage for additional peace of mind.