A rider is a section of an insurance contract that adds an additional benefit to the coverage.  Riders are usually the same Class of Coverage as the Coverage they are attached to.

Riders are NOT coverages in themselves, but they are attached to coverages.  A coverage can have more than one rider.

A rider may or may not add to the coverage benefit.  For example, if a life insurance policy on Mr. Jones had a spouse rider on Mrs. Jones, the coverage on Mrs. Jones would not be added to the life insurance benefit of Mr. Jones.

Rider Examples:

A life insurance coverage may have a Spouse Rider that can only cover the insured's spouse.

Ten year level term rider.

A children's rider that can only cover the insured's children.

An Earthquake rider that adds earthquake protection to a homeowner's coverage.

Some companies may offer a risk category as a rider while others may offer the same type of risk as a coverage.  Advisors Assistant gives you both categories.