Difference between Personal Accident Insurance and Term Insurance Explained

What is a Term Insurance Plan?

What is a Personal Accident Insurance Plan?

What are the Differences Between Personal Accident Insurance and Term Insurance Plans?

Following are the key differences between personal accident insurance and term insurance policies:

Aspects

Term Insurance Plan

Personal Accident Insurance Plan

Tenure

A term insurance policy can last for 10 years, 20 years, or more.

The tenure of a personal accident insurance policy is one year.

Renewals

There is no need to renew a term insurance plan.

Personal accident insurance plans must be renewed every year for continued coverage.

Coverage Amount

The maximum amount of coverage is up to 20 times of your yearly income.

The maximum coverage amount is usually 10 times of your yearly income.

Disability Cover

The basic term plan does not include any disability cover, but riders like accidental and disability covers can be added.

The major covers of a personal accident insurance plan are accidental death and disability.

Benefit Distribution Mode

In a term insurance plan, the sum assured is claimed as a monthly income, lump sum, or combining both.

In a personal accident coverage plan, the sum assured is claimed as a lump sum amount only.

Risk Factor

Term insurance plans provide coverage against natural death. That means, if the life insured dies in an accident, no compensation will be given under the basic term plan.

A personal accident insurance policy offers coverage only for accidental death or disability.

Compensation

The beneficiary gets the insurance money in the event of the insured individual’s death.

In a personal accident insurance plan, if an insured person gets injured in an accident, the medicinal treatment charges can be claimed as per the policy.

What are the Types of Term Insurance Plans?

What are the Types of Personal Accident Insurance Plans?

Steps to Apply for a Term Life Insurance Plan

Steps to Buy a Personal Accident Insurance

FAQs about Personal Accident Insurance vs. Term Insurance

What is the age limit required to opt for a term life insurance plan?

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Any individual of age between 18 years and 65 years can opt for a term insurance policy whenever they need it.

What is not covered under a Personal Accident Policy?

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Personal accident insurance cover does not provide any coverage for intentional injuries, injuries due to alcohol or drugs, wounds caused due to war, AIDS or HIV, past illnesses, injuries due to sports, etc.

What is the age limit of personal accident insurance?

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The minimum age limit for the personal accident insurance policy is 18 years, and the maximum age limit is 65 years.

What sets term insurance and personal accident insurance apart from offering death benefits?

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Term Insurance Pays out death benefits to the nominee of the insured person upon their demise. It covers various causes of death, including illness, accidents, and natural causes. On the other hand, personal accident insurance pays out death benefits only if the insured person passes away due to an accident. It also covers disabilities resulting from accidents and may include medical expenses, depending on the policy and insurer.

What is group term life insurance vs group personal accident insurance?

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Group term life insurance covers a group of people, typically employees within the same company. In contrast, group personal accident insurance covers all expenses associated with accidents, including death caused by accidents.

What is the difference between term insurance and accident insurance?

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Term Life Insurance Provides financial protection for a specified period and pays beneficiaries a tax-free lump sum death benefit if you pass away during the term. The best part is that it is often more budget-friendly.

Accidental insurance is extra coverage that helps if you get hurt or die because of an accident. It can give money for disability and accidental death (like from car accidents or falls) and excludes covers for natural causes.

What is accidental death coverage in term insurance?

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Adding an accidental death benefit rider to your term insurance policy gives you extra protection. If you pass away due to an accident, this rider ensures your nominee receives a higher payout than the base sum assured. It covers accidents like road mishaps, falls, and other unforeseen events. Keep in mind that opting for this rider usually requires an additional premium, but it provides added financial security for your loved ones in case of accidental death.

What is the minimum coverage for Personal Accident Insurance?

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The minimum coverage for personal accident insurance varies by insurer and policy, but IRDAI has a standard minimum limit of up to 15 lakh. It would be best to choose a policy offering coverage ten times more than your annual income.

What are the terms and conditions of personal accident insurance?

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Personal accident insurance terms and conditions typically include:

  • Age limit: 18-65 years
  • Policy term: 1-5 years
  • Inclusion: Accidental death, disability and medical expenses coverage
  • Exclusion: Suicide, self-inflicted injuries, war, terrorism, etc.
  • Waiting period: 30 days to 1 year
  • Grace period for premium payment: 15-30 days
  • Renewability: up to age 70

Is personal accident coverage mandatory in the term insurance?

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No, buying personal accident coverage with term insurance is not mandatory with term insurance. Personal accident provides additional coverage for accidental death, disability, and medical expenses, which is not compulsory if you have term insurance. You can opt for a standalone personal accident policy or add it to your term insurance policy as a rider.

What is the cover period for personal accidents?

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The cover period for personal accident insurance is usually 12 months, with the option to renew. Depending on the chosen policies (e.g., group PA, retail PA, top-up policy, etc.), it typically ranges from one to three years.

What is not covered in personal accidents?

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Personal accident insurance typically covers injuries resulting from accidents. Still, there are certain situations where coverage may not apply, such as if you get hurt on purpose, by being careless, or while doing something illegal like using intoxicants or drinking too much, your insurance won't pay for your injuries.

Can a person have two personal accident insurance?

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Yes, a person can have multiple personal accident insurance policies. Each policy works independently, and claims can be made on all held policies. However, it's essential to understand the costs and benefits of each policy to ensure they meet your needs. Consulting with an insurance expert is recommended when considering multiple insurance policies.

What happens if a person has two personal accident policies? Can he claim accidental death benefits from both policies?

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The insurance company is responsible for settling the claim once for a single incident. The insurer cannot get reimbursed again for the same mishap or loss. Nonetheless, if you hold two separate personal accident policies - one group policy and one individual policy, you may claim accidental death benefits from both.

What is the age limit for personal accident coverage?

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The age limit for personal accident coverage varies depending on the insurance provider and the type of policy. Most companies offer personal accident insurance to adults aged 18 to 65. Children under 18 can enrol as dependents under a family policy.

What are the two main types of personal accident insurance policies?

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The two main types of personal accident insurance are accident expense insurance, which covers injuries resulting from an accident, and accidental death insurance, which benefits your beneficiaries in the event of accidental death. Other types include individual accident insurance, which covers loss of vision, limbs, or accidental demise and group accident insurance offered by employers to employees.

Should I take accident cover with term insurance?

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Yes, accident-related benefits are like a safety net. They protect you and your loved ones from unexpected events. When selecting a rider for your term insurance policy, consider your family's needs and vulnerabilities.

What if I start drinking or smoking after taking term insurance?

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If you start smoking or drinking after getting term insurance, you should let your insurance company know. Most insurance policies need you to share any changes in your health or lifestyle. If you don't, your policy might be cancelled, or a claim might be denied. Always check your policy details and ask your insurance company for advice.

What is the cost of personal accident cover?

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Personal accident cover costs vary based on age, coverage amount, and annual income. On average, they can range from ₹200 to ₹5000 per year for coverage of 5 lakh to 50 lakh. For example, a 30-year-old might pay ₹1500 to ₹3000 per year for coverage of 10 lakh for financial protection against accidental death or disability.

Who should take personal accident cover?

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Every person who owns a private vehicle is required by law to obtain Personal Accident Cover. The person using the car registered in their name is linked to a PA cover, so they only have to purchase a PA cover once and not separately when buying insurance for other vehicles in their name.

Disclaimer

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