Personal accident (GPA)
Cover for life’s knocks
Group personal accident insurance pays a lump sum if an employee dies or is permanently disabled in an accident, and helps with the medical bills from accidental injuries. It usually covers accidents around the clock, at work and away from it.
What it is
For the accidents life throws in
A sprained ankle at futsal, a fall on a wet floor, a car accident on the way to a client. GPA pays out for accidental injury, whether it happens on the job or at the weekend.
The main benefit is a lump sum for accidental death or permanent disablement, set as a flat sum or a multiple of salary. Most plans also pay medical bills for accidental injuries, up to a limit.
What it usually pays for
Beyond the lump sum
Accidental death
The full sum insured if an accident causes the employee’s death within the period the policy sets.
Permanent disablement
A percentage of the sum insured, from a scale in the policy, depending on the injury, such as the loss of a limb or of sight.
Accident medical expenses
Doctor’s visits and treatment after an accident, up to a limit. Some plans add physiotherapy, or a weekly benefit while the employee can’t work.
Occupation classes explainedGPA and work injury compensation
How GPA differs from WICA
The Work Injury Compensation Act requires employers to insure many employees against work injuries. GPA is separate, and the two often sit side by side.
| Group personal accident (GPA) | Work injury compensation (WICA) | |
|---|---|---|
| Required by law | No, it is a benefit you choose to give | Yes, for the employees the Act requires you to insure |
| When it pays | Accidents at any time, at work or away from it | Work injuries and occupational diseases only |
| What it pays | The sums in your policy | Compensation set by law, based on earnings and the injury |
| Who it covers | The employees you choose, often everyone | Employees covered by the Act |
| Together | Many companies hold both | GPA does not replace WICA insurance where it is compulsory |
Is personal accident cover right for your team?
A good fit if
- Your team is active, travels for work or spends time on the road
- You want accident cover that works at the weekend as well as in the office
- You want to add accident protection to term life or hospital cover you already have
- Some staff do field work and you want cover beyond what WICA requires
Good to know
How occupation affects GPA
01
Jobs are grouped by risk
Insurers sort jobs into occupation classes, usually 1 to 3. Office work is class 1, and jobs with more physical risk sit in higher classes.
02
Price follows the class
Premiums rise with the class, because the chance of an accident does. Office-based teams usually sit in class 1.
03
Describe jobs accurately
Each employee’s class comes from their job. Getting it right matters, because a wrong class can affect a claim.
Questions about personal accident
Personal accident, answered
No. It pays only for injury caused by an accident. Illness is covered by hospital, term life and critical illness cover.
No. Work injury compensation insurance is compulsory for many employees and pays compensation set by law for injuries at work. GPA is optional and pays the sums in your policy for accidents at any time. Where WICA insurance is required, GPA doesn’t replace it.
Most plans cover accidents worldwide, including on business trips and holidays. Some exclude certain countries or activities, so we check the wording for you.
Everyday sports usually are. Professional sports and some hazardous activities are commonly excluded.
It depends on the insurer. Some sell it on its own; others sell it only with term life or hospital cover.
Like term life, it can be a flat sum for everyone or a multiple of salary. Many companies match it to their term life sum.
Compare personal accident cover
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