Riding a motorbike can be a thrilling experience, but it also comes with its share of inherent risks. No matter how skilled and careful a rider you are, accidents can happen, and the consequences can be devastating. That is why it is essential to have the right insurance coverage in place to protect yourself and your loved ones from financial hardship in the event of an accident. Personal accident coverage is one type of coverage you may encounter when shopping for bike insurance. But what is it, and why may you require it?
Without giving too much away about the specifics of personal accident cover, it is worth noting that accidents can have a wide range of consequences beyond just physical injury. They can impact our ability to work, our mental health, and our relationships. Personal accident coverage helps mitigate some of these impacts by providing financial support when we need it most.
Initially, the Motor Vehicles Act required bike owners to have at least third-party insurance to ride legally on the road. However, due to the number of road accidents, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) later made personal accident insurance mandatory as well.
What does personal accident cover include?
As per the rule, you need a personal accident cover of Rs 15,00,000 to ride penalty-free. Here is what the PA rider covers.
- Accidental death: If the insured passes away unexpectedly in a road accident, the insurance company will provide the full sum insured to the nominated beneficiary.
- Disability: In the event of disability, the compensation will be in the following percentage.
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Type of Disability
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Compensation Percentage to Sum Insured
|
|
Death
|
100%
|
|
Loss of two limbs
|
100%
|
|
Loss of two eyes
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100%
|
|
Loss of sight in one eye
|
50%
|
|
Loss of one limb
|
50%
|
|
Permanent total disability
|
100%
|