If you’ve been diagnosed with an illness you’re not expected to recover from, this rider gives you early access to some or all of the policy cash payment or “death benefit” your family would receive after your death. This is known as an accelerated death benefit or living benefit, and gives you and your family financial protection over a longer period of time. The amount you receive from your accelerated death benefit depends on your provider, but is generally a percentage of the full death benefit.

These riders are different from critical illness riders, which cover you if you’re diagnosed with a serious but curable condition or a chronic illness. Terminal illness insurance is specifically designed to offer your loved ones’ financial security once you are at the point where recovery is unlikely. While adding this rider to your policy does come with an additional cost, the protection it offers can make a big difference.