What is Personal Accident Insurance?

Personal Accident Insurance covers you against medical expenses incurred due to an accident (not illness).  If you become disabled or die, the insurance will also pay a lump sum benefit which can be distributed to your beneficiary/ies. Personal Accident insurance does not restrict the cause of the accident to work related activities. You will be insured in the event of a motor accident, crime, holiday activity or even domestic injury (for example, injuring yourself whilst attempting home repairs etc.)

Why should one consider personal accident insurance?

Most accidents can be attributed to human error and factors such as aggressive and negligent behaviour, non-adherence to traffic rules, when driving, as well as poor road conditions. We share the roads with many unlicensed drivers and face many road risks we can do little to prevent.  Being a victim of an accident can be devastating enough without having to worry about the financial implications of such as an accident.  By acquiring accident cover you are making sure such an incident is easier to deal with by reducing the financial implications of such an event. It is important to consider accident cover as part of your overall insurance package.

What are the personal accident benefits?

Personal Accident cover benefits you in two ways:

• Death: If you die in an accident or as a result of violence, your beneficiaries or your estate will receive an additional amount as death cover. Accidental death has been described as death caused by accident, violent, external and visible means.
• Injury: If you suffer an injury as a result of an accident, a lump sum will be paid out to you. Even if the loss is not completely devastating - say, for instance, you lose hearing in one ear - you will still receive a percentage of the sum insured.

Why do car rental companies offer personal accident insurance?

Car Rental companies have recognized the importance of personal accident insurance and provide a variety of insurance products to their clients, in the event of an accident.

How much Insurance do I need?

All people have different personal circumstances and needs. You might need to ask the following questions when acquiring personal accident insurance, in order to assist you with making a decision on how much personal accident insurance you need:

• How many dependants do I have? These are the people who fully or partially rely on you for support and care.
• What type of lifestyle do I want to provide for my family?
• Does my spouse earn an income?
• Would my working spouse be able to cope financially if I am no longer there?
• How much outstanding debt do I have? (e.g., home loan, car instalments, credit card)
• Can my children’s education be funded without my income?
• Does my family have any special needs, such as caring for a disabled child?
• Will my parents be financially independent? Is it possible that they may become dependent on me for support?
• What are my financial needs? Are my other insurance needs covered sufficiently?

Are there any exclusions?

It is important to be aware of the finer detail included in your personal accident insurance policy, and especially the exclusions that might withhold payment under the policy:

These might include:

• People over the age of 75
• Suicide and loss from intentionally self-inflicted injuries
• Driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs 
• Participation in certain sports such as polo, skydiving, professional diving etc 
• Full time active service in the armed services of any country in declared or undeclared war.
• Claims arising from war or similar hostility or if you or your passengers are participating in a riot.
• Accidents outside a specific country 
• Where the vehicle is carrying more passengers than the number of seatbelts fitted at the time of the accident. 
• An injury or illness, which arises more than 24 months after the accident.
• Injury caused directly from an existing physical defect or other infirmity.

Can I get away with not having personal accident insurance?

Personal accident insurance is often described not as a luxury, but rather a necessity in South Africa. This insurance can provide confidence in a person's future by providing needed protection, and being prepared for anything will ensure that all parties involved would be taken care of no matter what happens. 

How do I submit a claim?

A completed claim form, along with required supporting documents, should be submitted within the notification period to the office or address listed in your policy.

Where do I submit my claim? 

Your completed claim form, along with all relevant supporting documents, should be submitted to your claims department by mail or fax to the contact details supplied in your policy.

If I have questions about the status of my submitted claim or my claimed benefits, whom do I contact?

You can call the insurers customer service hotline. Details should be listed in your policy.

What happens if I am unable to submit all the documents required?

If you do not submit all the required supporting documents, the processing of your claim may be delayed because additional time is required to obtain the requisite documentation by your claims department.

I want to submit additional supporting documents in relation to my previously submitted claim. How do I submit these documents?

You can send the supporting documents to your claims department in the same way you submitted the original claim. To expedite the processing of these additional documents, it is advised to clearly state your policy details and the claim reference.

Are photocopies of my original receipts and documents acceptable for the purpose of processing my claim?

Generally speaking, original receipts and supporting documents are required in order for processing. However, this will depend on the nature of the claim and the supporting documents.