What is it?
Accident insurance covers you againstcertain types of bodily injury and death. Policy types include:

Accidental death: coverage for death occurring due to an accident

Accidental death & dismemberment: coverage for loss of limb, sight, and/or hearing as well as death occurring due to an accident

Some policies do not have deductibles or co-payments when an injury is the result of an accident, and some plans pay a fixed amount (such as $5,000 or $10,000) or a percentage of the face value in the event of a serious incident. These include plans based on no-test insurance.


Why do I need it?
Because life is uncertain, no one knows what tomorrow will bring. The risk of uncertainty, however, can be eased with insurance. Simply put, in the event of an accident, being insured can help lessen the financial burden. So, accident insurance helps you protect your family in a wide range of situations. Whether traveling or commuting, at work or at home, accidents might occur: the unexpected loss of a limb, sudden blindness, or even death.


How does it work?
Accident insurance can be used in a variety of ways and situations. Basically, the policy holder has a lot of flexibility in how he or she chooses to use it. For example, accident insurance can help in funeral and burial expenses, mortgages, pay debt, living expenses, etc.


Who provides it?
Quotes for accident insurance are available online, so it's easy to access. You can quickly compare quotes of different insurance providers. There are so many websites owned by agents and insurance brokers that provide instant quotes from numerous insurance providers. You may have to provide details to get quote information: your medical history, dietary habits, and family information. Often, the process takes only a few minutes.


What if I’ve been turned down before or have health issues?
First of all, don’t panic. Ask the insurance provider for details regarding your decline. This information must be provided by law. Some states will send this information directly to you, while others mail these details to your doctor. When you know the reason for your denial, visit your doctor to determine if you have health problems. Quite often, insurance applications save lives by informing the applicant of a serious medical problem of which he/she was previously unaware.

If you’ve been declined by an insurance company:

• Obtain a copy of the claim form.
• If you’re working with an agent, inform him/her in advance of any health conditions/prior situations.
• Errors do occur, so consider challenging them or requesting reconsideration.
• Ensure the application says whether you qualify before you apply.
• Make sure you get some kind of coverage as soon as possible
• Ensure you’re not applying to a provider that will refuse your illnesses.
• Learn the details of the policy to see if it is right for you.
• Always read the fine print and ask questions if anything is unclear.

Learn more:
National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC)
naic.org