While it may not be as common as other types of insurance such as auto and medical, accident insurance is still a popular choice for people who are seeking to be covered in the case of unexpected events. In this article, we’ll define accident insurance and answer some of the most common questions about it. 

Key Takeaways

• Accident insurance covers people in the event of injury, death, or loss caused by unexpected, unintentional events
• Accident insurance does not usually cover negligence, acts of God, natural disasters, or extreme sports
• Accident insurance is recommended for self-employed people in professions that rely on the body 

What Is Accident Insurance?

Accident insurance is an insurance policy that pays people in the event of injury, death, or loss due to an accident. It can generally be purchased as a standalone policy or bundled into another existing insurance policy. It is often included in policies such as auto insurance and life insurance. 

What Does Accident Insurance Cover?

An accident is defined as an unfortunate event that is not intentional but may be caused by carelessness, ignorance, or lack of awareness. Because nobody is at fault for the accident, you can’t be paid by another party’s insurance. That’s where personal accident coverage comes in.

As such, accident insurance usually covers events like:

• Injuries sustained while playing sports
• Burns and cuts sustained while cooking
• Broken bones from hiking accidents
• Injuries caused by slips and falls
• Accidents in the workplace

Exactly what is covered will vary from policy to policy.

What Doesn’t Accident Insurance Cover?

Accident insurance usually does not cover negligence, acts of God, or natural disasters. It may also include restrictions on payouts for extreme sports and activities deemed risky such as BMX biking, bicycle marathons, skiing, and scuba diving. 

Do You Need Accident Insurance?

Generally speaking, there are a few situations in which it is especially sensible for an individual to have personal accident insurance. These include:

• If you are unemployed or self-employed and do not have medical coverage through work
• Individuals working as tour guides, contractors, and taxi drivers or similar professions
• If you’re worried that your medical, auto, and/or life insurance policies are insufficient and want extra coverage
• If you want extra financial security in case the main earner in your family dies

In short, like with all insurance policies, the decision about whether or not to get accident insurance will depend on a variety of considerations, ultimately coming down to whether you believe the cost of the insurance is worth the protection you will get. 

How Much Does Accident Insurance Cost?

The total cost of your accident insurance will depend on the policy and insurance company you choose. There will usually be a base cost for coverage of certain incidents and circumstances, with the ability to add additional coverage for an extra cost. For example, it may cost extra to cover things such as cosmetic surgery in the event of injuries that cause scarring or home renovations in the event of accidents that lead to disability. The most affordable accident insurance policy may start at less than a dollar a day, but go up depending on your age and the level of coverage purchased.