Define a life insurance rider that offers accelerated death benefits.

A life insurance rider that offers accelerated death benefits is designed to provide policyholders with access to a portion of their death benefits while they are still alive, usually under specific circumstances such as terminal illness or critical health conditions. This feature allows individuals who are diagnosed with a severe illness to receive funds to help cover medical expenses, end-of-life costs, or other financial needs. By allowing access to these benefits before the insured person passes away, the rider offers financial relief during challenging times and enables better management of healthcare needs.

The other options do not accurately define accelerated death benefits. Increasing the death benefit amount refers to a different type of provision that would not facilitate access to funds during the policyholder's lifetime. Similarly, a clause providing temporary coverage does not align with the concept of accessing benefits early. Insuring dependent family members is unrelated, as it pertains to extending coverage to others rather than the policyholder’s access to death benefits.