What is personal accident cover in car insurance?

Key takeaways

• Personal accident cover provides a payout if you suffer serious injuries or die in a car accident, regardless of fault

• It may be included with your comprehensive car insurance or you can add it on for about £15 a year

• Check the policy exclusions and whether you already have similar cover if you have life insurance or health insurance

What is personal accident cover in car insurance?

Personal accident cover is a type of car insurance policy that pays out a lump sum if you suffer serious injuries or death as a result of a car accident, regardless of who was to blame.

It’s designed to help with the financial strain that can come from:

• Unexpected medical expenses

• Rehabilitation costs

• Lost income

Should you die as a result of a car accident, it could support your family financially with immediate costs such as funeral arrangements and future loss of income.

How does personal accident cover work?

Your personal accident policy will usually come into play when you can’t claim on another person’s insurance. For example:

• If you’re at fault

• If there isn’t a third party to claim from

It will provide financial support for injuries or fatalities that aren’t covered by other parts of your car insurance policy.

📣 Did you know? More than 1.3 million people in the UK are living with the long-term effects of acquired brain injury (ABI) i.e. a brain injury which has happened since birth, such as the result of a road accident, according to Swansea University.

Do I need personal accident cover?

Personal accident cover isn’t mandatory but it can provide peace of mind knowing you, and potentially your family, are covered in case of serious injury or death.

Fully comprehensive policies may include it as standard or you can usually add it on or upgrade your level of cover for an extra cost.

💡 Top tip: if you have life insurance, income protection or health insurance, you might already have some form of personal accident cover so check this before adding it to your car insurance premium.

What’s offered by personal accident cover?

Personal accident cover offers a payout in the event of injury or death resulting from a car accident, which can then be used to help cover:

• Medical costs that may not be fully covered by health insurance

• Compensation for permanent disability

• Lost income during recovery

• Funeral costs in the event of a tragic loss

What types of injuries are covered?

Personal accident cover typically includes a range of life-changing injuries, such as:

• Permanent loss of sight

• Limb amputation

• Paralysis

• Total disablement

These are the types of catastrophic events that can have a long-term impact on your life and finances, or on your loved ones should you be killed in a car accident.

Some personal accident policies will pay out for other injuries too, such as:

• Loss of fingers or toes

• Loss of hearing or speech

• Burn damage and scarring

What is excluded from personal accident cover?

You’ll generally find that personal accident cover won’t pay out for:

• Minor injuries, such as bone fractures, that don't result in long-term disability

• Psychological trauma

• Injuries sustained while not taking safety precautions, such as not wearing a seatbelt

• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol

• Self-inflicted injuries or death by suicide

• Injuries that aren’t a direct result of an accident

How much does personal accident cover cost?

If personal accident cover isn’t already included in your comprehensive car insurance, it will cost £15 a year, on average, to add it, according to MoneySuperMarket data.

Prices can vary though, based on your individual risk factors and the level of cover so it’s best to compare quotes.

Can I still claim for injuries from a car accident if I don’t have personal accident cover?

Yes, you can still claim for injuries from a car accident if you don’t have personal accident cover, provided another driver was at fault. You would then claim on their car insurance or, if they were an uninsured driver, you could potentially get compensation from the Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB).

How can I find the right personal accident cover?

To ensure you get the right personal accident cover at the best price possible, keep the following in mind:

• Check exactly what injuries and situations are covered

• Consider the insured amount, which can range significantly from £5,000 to £100,000

• Determine who else is covered under the policy, such as named drivers or family members

• Look for policies that offer international protection if you drive abroad

In some cases, a separate personal accident policy might offer better or more extensive cover than an add-on to your car insurance. It's always recommended to compare the market to ensure you're getting the best deal and the most suitable cover for your needs.

Where can I find car insurance with personal accident cover?

When it comes to finding the right personal accident cover, tools like MoneySuperMarket can be incredibly helpful. We allow you to see at a glance whether personal injuries are included in your policy and the amount of cover provided by top UK insurance providers.