Can You Add Personal Accident Cover to Your Car Insurance Later?

Yes, if you forgot to add a personal accident (PA) cover while buying or renewing car insurance, you can still purchase it later. Based on your insurer's terms, it can be added either through an endorsement to your current plan or bought separately as a standalone policy. Read on to know the process.Read more

Things to Check Before Buying a New PA Cover

Before purchasing a new personal accident cover, check whether you already have one. Generally, a vehicle owner needs only one valid PA cover of Rs. 15 lakh. So, there may not be any need to buy another one if you:

• Own multiple vehicles: If you already have an active PA cover of at least Rs. 15 lakh with your first car or two-wheeler insurance, it automatically extends to your other vehicles registered in your name.
• Have an Independent PA policy: If you have a standalone PA cover with a sum insured of Rs. 15 lakh or more and covers accidental death & permanent disability, you do not need to buy another PA cover with your car insurance.
• Hold equivalent coverage via health insurance: Some comprehensive health insurance policies include a personal accident rider that qualifies for the waiver. But it should meet the minimum Rs. 15 lakh coverage limit against death & disability.

If none of these is applicable, you can contact your insurer to add the PA cover or purchase it separately.

How to Add a Personal Accident Cover Later After Buying Car Insurance?

The process to add PA cover to your car insurance after purchasing the policy generally involves the following steps:

• Step 1: Contact your Insurer: Inform your insurer that you want to add the personal accident cover to your existing car insurance policy.
• Step 2: Choose the Available Option: Depending on your insurer's terms, you can:
  • Add the cover through an endorsement, or
  • Buy a standalone PA policy

  A policy endorsement is an official change made to your existing car insurance. It allows you to update or correct your policy details without having to cancel your current plan and buy a new one.

• Step 3: Submit the Required Documents: Your insurer may ask for some documents to make the requested changes.
• Step 4: Pay the Premium: Pay the applicable premium, which may vary slightly across car insurance companies.
• Step 5: Receive the Updated Policy: After payment, your insurer will issue a revised policy endorsement or a separate policy document.

Documents Required to Add PA Cover to Your Car Insurance

You may need to submit the following documents to your insurer when adding PA cover to your existing car insurance coverage:

• Your policy details
• Vehicle registration certificate (RC)
• Driving licence of the owner-driver
• Identity and address proofs

When Does the Newly Added PA Cover Become Effective?

If your insurer adds PA cover to your car insurance through an endorsement, the coverage starts from the effective date specified in the policy endorsement document. If you opt for a standalone PA policy, the cover begins from the policy's commencement date. Since the exact effective date & terms may vary between insurers, always check your policy documents carefully.

Why is Personal Accident (PA) Cover Mandatory under Indian Motor Laws?

As per the Indian Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, all car owners must have at least third-party insurance to drive on public roads legally. It offers financial assistance to the policyholder for third-party injuries, death, or property damage caused by their insured car. However, this policy does not offer any coverage for the owner-driver of the insured four-wheeler.

To bridge this gap and relieve the owner-driver of the insured car, IRDAI has made CPA cover in car insurance mandatory for all vehicle owners. This cover ensures that in case of a permanent/partial disability or the unfortunate death of the owner-driver, their family will receive financial relief during the challenging time.