An accident can stop your income. This cover keeps it going.
Personal accident insurance pays money to you or your family if an accident causes death, a disability, or keeps you away from work. It is low-cost, simple to buy, and it fills a gap that term and health policies leave open.
Health insurance pays the hospital. Who pays the home?
After a serious accident, the hospital bill is only half the problem. Months away from work, or a disability that changes your job, hit the family income. That is the gap personal accident insurance is made for.
A fixed amount, in cash
It pays the amount written in your policy (the "sum insured") — not a bill. Your family decides how to use it.
Covers disability too
A term plan pays only on death. Personal accident cover also pays if an accident leaves you disabled.
Costs very little
Because it covers accidents only, the premium is small compared with life or health cover.
The covers, in plain words.
The first three are the core of most policies. The others are usually optional add-ons — we check which ones your policy has.
If an accident causes death, the full sum insured is paid to the nominee.
Core cover in every policy.
An accident leaves you permanently and fully disabled — for example, loss of both eyes or both limbs. The full sum insured is usually paid.
Core cover in most policies.
Loss of part of the body or its use, such as one finger, one eye or hearing in one ear. A percentage of the sum insured is paid, as per the table in your policy.
Read that table before you buy.
You can't work for some weeks while you recover. Many policies pay a weekly amount for a limited period.
Optional in many plans — very useful for self-employed people.
Some policies also pay hospital costs caused by the accident, up to a limit.
Optional; your health policy usually covers this too.
Some plans pay an extra amount for children's education after accidental death or permanent total disability.
Optional add-on.
Usually not covered: illness, self-injury, accidents under the influence of alcohol or drugs, war, and many adventure sports. Every policy lists its own exclusions — we go through them with you.
Saral Suraksha Bima — the same simple plan at every insurer.
IRDAI asked general and health insurers to offer one standard personal accident policy with the same basic covers, so it is easy to compare.
₹2.5 lakh to ₹1 crore
You can choose cover from ₹2.5 lakh up to ₹1 crore, in steps of ₹50,000.
IRDAI guidelines on the standard personal accident product.
Entry age 18 to 70
Adults from 18 to 70 years can buy it. Family members can usually be added as per the insurer's terms.
IRDAI guidelines on the standard personal accident product.
Death and permanent disability
Accidental death, permanent total disability and permanent partial disability are the base covers. Temporary disability, hospital costs and education support can be added as options.
IRDAI guidelines on the standard personal accident product.
Term, health or personal accident — which one does what?
They are not rivals. Each one covers a different risk, and most working families need all three.
Swipe sideways to see all three
| Term life insurance | Health insurance | Personal accident | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pays when | Death from any cause | You are in hospital (illness or accident) | Accidental death, disability, time off work |
| Pays how | Lumpsum to nominee | Hospital bills, cashless or reimbursed | Fixed amount, or weekly amount for time off |
| Disability | Not covered (unless a rider is added) | Only the hospital bill | Covered — total and partial |
| Illness | Covered (death) | Covered (hospital) | Not covered |
| Premium | Depends on age and health | Depends on age, city and cover | Low; depends mainly on your type of work |
| Best for | Replacing income for the family | Protecting savings from hospital bills | Income protection after an accident |
It matters most for
- The only earner in the family.
- Self-employed people and shop owners — no paid leave if you can't work.
- People who drive or travel daily for work.
- Field and site jobs — sales, delivery, construction, factories.
- Anyone with a home or car loan that must keep running.
Good to know
- Your job type matters — riskier work can mean a higher premium.
- Vehicle owners already have a compulsory owner-driver cover in motor insurance — but it is linked to that vehicle only.
- Office group cover usually ends when you leave the job.
- Disability payouts follow the table in your policy — check it.
- Tell the truth about your work on the form, or a claim can be refused.
Five accident cover mistakes we help you avoid.
"My health policy is enough"
Health cover pays the hospital, not your lost income or a disability.
Too small a cover
A small sum insured runs out fast if you can't work for years.
Only the office policy
Group accident cover stops when the job stops.
Wrong job on the form
Writing "office work" when you are often on site can lead to a rejected claim.
Skipping temporary disability
Most accidents cause weeks off work, not permanent disability.
After an accident, one call is enough.
Tell us quickly
WhatsApp us the policy number and what happened. Insurers want to be told as early as possible.
Keep the papers
Hospital records, doctor's certificates, and an FIR for road accidents — we tell you exactly what is needed.
Disability proof
For disability claims, a certificate from the treating doctor or a medical board, as the policy asks.
We follow up
We submit the claim with you and follow up with the insurer until it is settled.
Personal accident FAQ
A term plan pays only if you die. If an accident leaves you disabled or unable to work for months, a term plan pays nothing. Personal accident cover pays in those cases, so the two work together.
It depends on your income, your loans and how many people depend on you. We look at these with you and suggest a cover — and whether a weekly benefit for time off work makes sense for your job.
No. Personal accident insurance covers only accidents — a sudden, unexpected event from outside, like a fall or a road accident. Illness is covered by health insurance and, for death, by a term plan.
Many insurers let you add family members, often with different cover amounts for earning and non-earning members. We compare what each insurer allows.
Not quite. The compulsory owner-driver cover in motor insurance is tied to that vehicle. A personal accident policy covers you as a person, wherever the accident happens, as per its terms.
Protect your income in one short conversation.
Tell us your work, income and family on WhatsApp. We'll suggest a cover and explain exactly what it pays for.