Personal accident cover and car insurance guide

When it comes to being prepared for everything that comes with the potential dangers of driving, personal accident cover could be a lifeline for you and your family.

This guide looks at everything you need to know – and how to make a claim.

Personal accident cover is an insurance policy that provides financial compensation in the event of injuries, disability, or death caused by accidents – and when it comes to car insurance, this can be included in the agreement to offer protection when you cannot claim compensation from a third party.

This type of insurance is designed to offer financial support in situations where an individual suffers from an unexpected, unintentional injury when driving or in their vehicle, that impacts their ability to work or results in significant medical expenses.

It also covers the policy holder in the event of death.

• What to do if you’ve been hit by an uninsured driver
• What is third party car insurance?
• What is an insurance write off?

If your car insurance policy includes personal accident cover then it may offer financial help with:

• Medical costs
• Lost income 
• Compensation for a serious injury
• Compensation for a disability
• Funeral costs

The level of financial support from a personal accident policy may be limited to a maximum agreed amount. 

Although personal accident cover can be an important clause to have in your car insurance agreement, it doesn’t cover everything. 

Depending on the type of insurance policy you have, a personal accident policy may exclude:

• Driving without a valid licence
• Injuries caused by failure to wear a seat belt
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Injuries caused by taking part in a sporting event (racing or rallying)

In a situation where the driver intentionally causes a collision, their policy is void and they cannot claim for personal accident cover. 

Some personal accident policies may also exclude children and people over the age of 80 years. 

Many car insurance policies have personal accident cover included as standard. If it isn't included, you can usually add and purchase it as an optional extra.

• ​Is it worth adding legal expenses insurance to car insurance?
• What is comprehensive car insurance?
• Driving without insurance – here are the consequences

If you are involved in a collision when driving, then there are several steps to take to make an injury claim using personal injury cover.

Here is what you need to do to make an injury claim using personal injury cover:

1. Seek medical attentions and report to the police: Call 999 from a safe place and ask for an ambulance. Then contact the police.
2. Collect all relevant information: If you are able to take photos and gather contact information for others involved in the incident. Once at the hospital, collect further details here (if the police haven’t already).
3. Speak to your insurance provider: Notify your provider and provider all the relevant information.
4. File a claim: Request a claim form and enter the necessary information. You’ll be asked to provider supporting documentation.
5. Claim assessment: The insurance provider will look over the form and review the details.
6. Approval: If you are approved, you will receive communication on how, when and how much you will receive as compensation.
7. Appeal or dispute: They may question some information. This can either be altered or it will lead to further legal action.

When you are looking to add personal injury claim to your car insurance, then speak to your provider.