Most people believe that if anything goes wrong their survivors will benefit handsomely from their insurance policies. This is because people think of life and death as the only options.

“Few consider what will happen if they are disabled. The few that do,mistakenly believe that any disability will be covered by their employee benefits scheme” says Gari Dombo, Managing Director, Alexander Forbes, Insurance.

In reality, however,there is a gap of about 30% between people’s current salaries and what they will earn in the event of becoming disabled. And even if disabled people can continue working, disability sometimes results in a less demanding, and less well paying, role.

Yet “disabled people still have to pay the bond and schools fees, cover transport, and buy food, clothes, water and electricity” says Dombo. In other words if disabled you will still have the same expenses - though you will be earning less.

In fact disability usually results in additional costs – like medical bills, ongoing treatments and therapies,along withmodifications to your vehicle and home.So“if people are battling to make ends meet now, disabilitywillmake things a lot tougher – on less money” warns Dombo.

Personal Accident Policies protect people against these unfortunate incidents.Good Personal Accident policies should include,though by no means be limited to, the following three essential covers:

• Capital Benefit following the accidental death of the insured
• Permanent Disability preventing an individual from carrying out their usual occupation
• Temporary Total Disability preventingindividuals from carrying out their usual occupation for a temporary period resulting in reduced earnings impacting on lifestyle

In short, the real value of a good Personal Accident Policy lies in "ensuring that you are covered for reduced earnings and changed lifestyle regardless of the nature,duration or employmentimplications of your disability" concludes Dombo.