Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D)

Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) coverage through MetLife provides benefits to your family if you die, or to you if you are dismembered or paralyzed, as the result of an accident.

On this page:

Syracuse University-Sponsored Basic AD&D Insurance

All benefits-eligible employees receive Syracuse University-sponsored basic AD&D insurance coverage in the amount of $3,000. There is no cost to you for this coverage.

Supplemental AD&D

You can purchase additional AD&D coverage in increments of one to 10 times your annual salary, not to exceed $2,000,000. Your supplemental AD&D coverage cannot exceed your combined basic and supplemental life coverage.

When you purchase supplemental AD&D coverage, you receive enhanced benefits at no additional cost, including:

  • Seat Belt Benefit: Pays an additional 10% benefit if you were wearing a seat belt and die in an accident while driving or riding as a passenger in a car.
  • Air Bag Benefit: Pays an additional 5% benefit if you were wearing a seat belt and were driving or riding in a car in a seat protected by an air bag, and die as a result of injuries sustained in an accident.
  • Child Care Benefit: Pays up to $5,000 per year for four consecutive years toward child care costs incurred after your death.
  • Child Education Benefit: Pays up to $10,000 per year for four consecutive years toward tuition charges for full-time students in college or vocational school after your death.
  • Spouse Education Benefit: Pays up to $5,000 for a spouse’s tuition as a full-time student after your death.
  • Hospital Confinement Benefit: Pays 1% of your coverage amount on a monthly basis for up to 12 months of hospital confinement resulting from an accidental injury.
  • Common Carrier Benefit: Pays up to the full amount of coverage if you die in an accident as a fare-paying passenger on a government regulated transportation carrier (does not include chartered or private transportation, taxis or limousines).

Travel Assistance Services

If you are faced with an emergency while traveling more than 100 miles from home, this service provides you and your dependents with medical, travel, legal and financial assistance services [PDF]. These services are included at no additional cost when you enroll in Supplemental AD&D coverage.

Review the Certificate of Coverage available from HR Shared Services for full details on these benefits. Limits and exclusions apply.

Schedule of Covered Losses for AD&D Insurance

Covered losses are payable as a percentage of the amount of coverage in place.

Covered LossBenefit Percentage
Loss of life100%
Loss of hand above the wrist or foot below the knee50%
Loss of arm above the elbow or leg above the knee75%
Loss of sight in one eye50%
Loss of thumb and index finger of same hand25%
Loss of speech or hearing50%
Paralysis of both arms and both legs100%
Paralysis of both legs, or the arm and leg on either side of the body50%
Paralysis of one arm or leg25%
Brain damage causing complete inability to perform normal life activities100%

Review the Certificate of Coverage for complete details on the covered losses and benefit payments.

Your Cost

Supplemental AD&D coverage costs $.017 per $1,000 of coverage. Premiums are paid through pre-tax payroll deduction and are automatically calculated and adjusted as necessary during the calendar year to reflect changes in your actual salary.

Filing a Claim

Contact HR Shared Services at 315.443.4042 if you need to claim a dismemberment or paralysis benefit. In the event of your death, the benefit will be automatically reviewed and included in payment to your beneficiary(ies) if your death was the result of an accident. Should you require accommodations to access any information on this webpage, please reach out to HR Shared Services at 315.443.4042.

Helpful Links


Every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained within this website is accurate. However, benefits are governed by legal documents (which, in certain circumstances, may include insurance contracts). If there is any difference between the information in this website and the official documents, the official documents will control. As is the case with all of Syracuse University’s employee benefit plans, the University reserves the right to modify or terminate these benefits at any time.