What is the main purpose of a life insurance rider?

The primary purpose of a life insurance rider is to enhance the benefits provided by the base policy. A rider is an additional provision added to a policy that can provide additional coverage or benefits beyond what is included in the standard contract. For example, common riders include accidental death benefits, waiver of premium for disability, and accelerated death benefits, which allow policyholders to receive benefits under specific circumstances that are not covered by the base policy alone.

These enhancements allow policyholders to customize their insurance protection to better meet their personal needs, offering added security and flexibility. While other options might suggest changes to costs, eligibility, or underwriting processes, these are not the fundamental role of a rider, which is centered on providing additional benefits.