AD&D Claim Denied Due to a Sickness Exclusion: What Beneficiaries Need to Know

Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) insurance is supposed to provide financial protection when a loved one dies due to an accident. Unfortunately, many beneficiaries face a harsh surprise: the AD&D claim is denied because the insurance company says the death was caused by, contributed to, or related to a sickness.

“Sickness exclusions” are among the most common reasons for AD&D claim denials. They also happen to be one of the most misused and misinterpreted exclusions in the insurance industry.

As a life insurance attorney who regularly handles wrongfully denied AD&D claims, I see insurers stretch the sickness exclusion far beyond what policyholders believe they purchased.

This updated guide explains:

• What AD&D insurance actually covers

• How sickness exclusions work

• Why insurers deny valid AD&D claims

• Real-world examples

• What beneficiaries can do to fight back

If your AD&D claim was denied due to a sickness exclusion, call (888) 510-2212 for a free case evaluation.

What AD&D Insurance Really Covers

AD&D—Accidental Death and Dismemberment insurance—pays benefits only when the insured dies as a result of an accident. This means:

• Natural causes (heart attack, stroke, illness) — not covered

• Accidental injuries leading to death — covered

• Dismemberment (loss of limbs, eyesight, speech, etc.) — covered, depending on the policy

Many policyowners mistakenly believe AD&D is simply extra life insurance coverage. Unfortunately, insurers rarely explain the difference clearly, which leaves many families shocked when the insurer refuses to pay.

The Role of Exclusions in AD&D Policies

Every AD&D policy includes exclusions—situations where the insurer will not pay benefits. Common AD&D exclusions include:

• Sickness or disease

• Suicide

• Drug or alcohol intoxication

• Criminal activity

• War or military service

• Medical or surgical treatment

Among these, the sickness exclusion is the most frequently used—and often misused—reason for denying benefits.

What Is a Sickness Exclusion?

A sickness exclusion typically states that an AD&D policy does not cover any death that is:

• “Caused by,”

• “Contributed to by,” or

• “Resulting from”

a sickness, disease, illness, or bodily infirmity.

On the surface, the exclusion seems simple: if the death was caused by a health condition, the insurer will not pay AD&D benefits.

But in practice, insurers apply this language very broadly, often in ways the policyholder could never have predicted.

How Insurance Companies Misuse Sickness Exclusions

Insurance companies frequently interpret the sickness exclusion in ways that unfairly deny legitimate AD&D claims. Here are common scenarios:

1. Car Accident + Pre-Existing Condition

Example:
An insured dies in a car accident. The autopsy shows the person also had heart disease.

Insurers may argue:

• The heart condition “contributed to” the accident

• The accident might not have occurred but for the sickness

• The sickness exclusion cancels coverage

This reasoning allows insurers to deny claims even when the accident—not the sickness—was the true cause of death.

2. Anaphylactic Shock or Allergic Reaction

If a person dies from a severe allergic reaction, insurers often deny AD&D benefits by claiming:

• The allergy was a “sickness”

• The reaction constitutes a medical condition

• Therefore, the sickness exclusion applies

This interpretation is controversial and often not supported by the policy language.

3. Medical Malpractice Leading to Death

If an insured dies during or after medical treatment, some insurers argue:

• The person sought treatment for a sickness

• The sickness necessitated the procedure

• Therefore, the death “resulted from” the sickness

This allows them to deny claims even in cases involving medical error—something most policyholders would reasonably consider an “accident.”

4. Broad Interpretation of “Contributed To”

The phrase “contributed to” is where much AD&D litigation occurs.

To deny a claim, insurers stretch this phrase to mean:

“If the insured had any sickness, at any time, that could possibly relate to the accident—even remotely—the exclusion applies.”

Courts disagree on how far the language can be stretched, which means many of these denials are challengeable.

Why Sickness Exclusion Denials Are Often Wrong

Insurance companies frequently:

• Misread their own policy language

• Ignore the primary cause of death

• Focus on minor contributing factors

• Interpret exclusions more broadly than courts allow

The law generally requires that accidents—not underlying conditions—must be fairly assessed as the primary cause of death.

If the accident was the dominant cause, benefits may still be owed, even if a sickness played some role.

ERISA AD&D Claims: Even More Complicated

Many employer-provided AD&D plans are governed by ERISA (the Employee Retirement Income Security Act). Under ERISA:

• Insurers act as both claim evaluators and benefit payers

• Courts apply a deferential standard of review

• Insurance companies rely heavily on exclusion language to deny claims

This makes ERISA AD&D claims particularly difficult—but not impossible—to overturn.

Key Question: What Does the Policy Actually Say?

The precise policy language controls the outcome.

Some policies exclude deaths “caused by illness.”
Others exclude deaths “caused or contributed to by illness.”
Some limit exclusions to “bodily infirmity.”
Others require that sickness be the direct cause.

An experienced life insurance attorney can:

• Review the policy

• Analyze the medical records

• Reconstruct the cause of death

• Challenge the insurer’s interpretation

Beneficiaries often misunderstand exclusion language because the policy terms appear straightforward, when in reality they are far more complex.

Examples of When a Sickness Exclusion May Be Wrongfully Applied

Your AD&D claim denial may be improper if:

• The accident was the primary cause of death

• The sickness played only a minor or unrelated role

• The insurer relied solely on a medical diagnosis without analyzing causation

• The autopsy report is inconsistent with the denial

• The policy language does not support the insurer’s interpretation

• The insurer ignored evidence favorable to the beneficiary

These factors are often enough to challenge the denial successfully.

How to Fight an AD&D Claim Denial Based on a Sickness Exclusion

If your claim was denied, take the following steps:

1. Request the Complete Claim File

This includes medical records, internal notes, and reviews conducted by the insurer.

2. Examine the Policy Language

Even one word—“contributed,” “directly,” “solely”—can change the outcome.

3. Get an Independent Medical Review

This can counter biased opinions from insurance-paid doctors.

4. Work with an Experienced Life Insurance Attorney

These cases often involve complicated medical, legal, and policy interpretation issues.

A skilled attorney can evaluate whether:

• The denial is supported by evidence

• The exclusion was applied correctly

• The insurer violated ERISA or state law

• You have grounds for appeal or litigation

Call (888) 510-2212 for a free consultation.

If your AD&D claim has been denied due to a sickness exclusion, you may still be entitled to benefits. Many of these denials are wrongful and challengeable.

Our firm handles:

• Wrongfully denied AD&D claims

• ERISA AD&D appeals

• Accidental death benefit disputes

• Beneficiary representation

• Complex exclusion-based denials

We fight insurers every day—and we know how to overturn unfair decisions.

📞 Call (888) 510-2212 for a free consultation.
You do not have to face the insurance company alone.