Enhance your life insurance policy with riders that provide additional benefits, flexibility, and protection for specific situations.
A standard life insurance policy provides essential protection, but riders allow you to customize your coverage to better fit your unique needs. Think of riders as add-ons or upgrades that enhance your policy's benefits for a relatively small additional cost.
Riders are optional provisions that can be added to a life insurance policy to provide additional benefits or flexibility. They allow you to tailor your coverage without buying a separate policy. Most riders add between $5 to $50 per month to your premium, depending on the type and amount of coverage.
This rider waives your premium payments if you become totally disabled and unable to work. Your life insurance coverage continues in full force even though you're no longer paying premiums.
Typically 5-15% of your base premium. For a $50/month policy, expect to pay an additional $3-8/month.
Best for: Primary breadwinners, self-employed individuals, and anyone whose family depends on their income to maintain insurance coverage.
Also known as a living benefits rider, this allows you to access a portion of your death benefit while you're still alive if diagnosed with a terminal illness or specific qualifying conditions.
Best for: Everyone—many policies include this at no extra cost. If yours doesn't, it's worth adding for peace of mind.
Provides term life insurance coverage for all your children under one rider. Typically covers children from 15 days old to age 25, with coverage amounts ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 per child.
When a child reaches the maximum age (usually 25), they can convert the coverage to a permanent policy at standard rates without proving insurability. This guarantees they can get life insurance even if they develop health conditions later.
Best for: Parents who want affordable protection for final expenses and guaranteed future insurability for their children without buying separate policies.
Also called the guaranteed purchase option, this rider allows you to purchase additional life insurance coverage at specified future dates or life events without taking a medical exam or proving insurability.
If you develop a serious health condition like diabetes, heart disease, or cancer, you might become uninsurable. This rider guarantees you can still increase your coverage regardless of health changes.
Best for: Young adults who expect their insurance needs to grow, and anyone with a family history of health conditions that might affect future insurability.
Adds term coverage for your spouse under your policy. Similar to a child rider but for your partner. Typically offers $25,000-$100,000 in coverage.
Cost: $10-30/month depending on spouse's age and coverage amount
Pays an additional death benefit (usually equal to the base amount, effectively doubling the payout) if death occurs due to an accident.
Cost: Very affordable, often just a few dollars per month
Allows you to use a portion of your death benefit to pay for long-term care expenses if you need assistance with daily living activities. Different from accelerated death benefit—specifically for chronic care needs.
Cost: 10-20% increase to base premium
Guarantees the right to convert your term policy to a permanent policy (whole or universal life) without a medical exam. Must typically convert before age 65 or within the conversion period specified.
Cost: Usually included free with term policies
Not every rider makes sense for every person. Here's how to decide which ones to add:
Consider your occupation, health history, family situation, and financial obligations.
Compare the rider cost to buying separate coverage or self-insuring the risk.
Think about how your situation might change over the life of the policy.
Don't let riders push your premium beyond what you can comfortably afford.
| Rider | Typical Cost | Best For | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waiver of Premium | 5-15% of premium | Primary earners | High |
| Accelerated Death Benefit | Often free | Everyone | High |
| Child Rider | $5-10/month | Parents | Medium |
| Guaranteed Insurability | 5-10% of premium | Young adults | Medium |
| Accidental Death | $5-15/month | High-risk occupations | Low |
Adding riders typically happens during the application process, but some can be added later:
Most riders are selected when you first apply for coverage. This is when you have the most options available.
Some riders (like child riders) can be added after the policy is in force, usually within the first few years or at specific option dates. May require evidence of insurability for certain riders.
Riders with guaranteed insurability provisions can be exercised after qualifying life events like marriage, birth of a child, or adoption.
Compare quotes from top insurers and explore rider options to build the coverage that's right for you.
Get Customized Quotes