Insurance

5 Situations You Cannot Claim Personal Accident Insurance

Have you been in a situation where you tried to make a Personal Accident claim but were denied? Such incidences are prone to happening when you do not follow the terms and conditions of a cover.

Taking a Personal Accident cover doesn’t mean you can become negligent and start indulging in risky behaviour.

In Singapore, for instance, most people have a Personal Accident policy. However, more often than not, they fail to take it seriously. As a result, many find that their Personal Accident claims have been rejected.

It is important to note that there are circumstances when the insurer can reject your claim. Here are some of those instances to help you better understand your Personal Accident insurance policy.

Car racing

Most personal accident policies do not cover accidents on a race track, even if the racing is legal. Most insurers in Singapore have included this under the exclusions section of the terms and conditions. Therefore, if you are trying any racing stunts such as speed drifting any injuries that might occur will not be covered by your insurance.

However, if you have an interest in racing, inform you insurer prior as they have policies that cater to sports racing.

Injuries that occur while drunk

Personal accident policies don’t cover drunk driving injuries. Similarly, your policy does not cover any injury that occurred as a result of intoxication.

For instance, if you have been drinking and trip down the stairs, your policy can reject your claim. It is essential that you remain careful and alert even if you have been drinking. A Personal Accident plan does not mean that you can behave recklessly.

Contracting HIV or other STDs

Most insurers consider contracting HIV/AID as something that is avoidable. Therefore, it falls under an exception in the exclusion clause of the terms and conditions in your Personal Accident policy.

Only caregivers and medical workers have that exception on occupational grounds.

Visiting listed countries

Before deciding to travel, consider exemption of lands on your Personal Accident policy. Pay close attention to countries that are under the advisory list of the Foreign Affairs Ministry.

If you opt to travel to these exempted countries, it is considered intentional endangerment. Therefore, if you are injured, you cannot make any claims from your insurer.

This condition applies to social and volunteer workers as well as humanitarian aid workers. Remember to speak to your insurance agent about your cover before planning any trip.

Occurrences after accidents

Should you go to the hospital after an accident and later develop and infection, you are not eligible to make a claim.

The policy will only cover the accident and related cost. However, you cannot make claims for something that happened after the accident. Similarly, if you develop side effects as a result of taking medication, this is not covered under the Personal Accident policy. As a result, only the original claims can be compensated.

Personal Accident policies may not always be reliable, and as a result, it is advisable that you opt for comprehensive health insurance to ensure you are protected.

Sim Kwang Meng

Chief Operating Officer Mr. Sim has more than 40 years’ of experience in General Insurance. He joined Pana Harrison since 2003, and specialised in Property and Casualty. Prior joining Pana Harrison, he was AGM for Commercial Union Assurance Pte Ltd.

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