An insurance rider is an additional clause that changes the basic insurance policy.

In other words, there is a standard policy, which has been changed to meet the needs of the insured. For instance, you may wish to add a rider that protects your car for floods or other weather related damages. You can add virtually any type of rider to your insurance policy. How much that affects the cost of your policy entirely depends upon the actuarial tables and the policies of the insurance company. If, given your particular circumstances, the insurance company decides that it is very likely that you will exercise this rider, they will probably charge a great deal for the rider or refuse to underwrite the risk at all. This information is general in nature and should not substitute for the advice of an expert in the field.