Disease and illness make up the top causes of death in the UK. Fortunately, we can limit our risk of developing the most common ones through positive lifestyle changes. However, when it comes to accidental death, we’re powerless - but we can help to protect our family's financial future with insurance.
Accidental death is relatively uncommon, but the aftermath can be more dramatic than death by natural causes. Without warning, our family is forced to come to terms quickly with the loss of a loved one in tragic circumstances. On top of that, there may be unexpected bills and expenses to pay at short notice.
Our policies account for the fact that not everyone passes away from natural causes - that’s why we offer Accidental Death Cover and Personal Accident Insurance.
With our Guaranteed policy, you’re covered against accidental death immediately. With our Family Life Insurance policy, you can choose to add additional Accidental Death Cover if you wish and our Personal Accident Insurance protects you in the case that you are killed or seriously injured as a result of an accident.
But what exactly is Accidental Death Cover? How can it protect your family? And what’s the difference between Accidental Death cover and Personal Accident Insurance? Let’s start with the basics…
What is the Smart definition of Accidental Death?
You might usually think of an accident as an unfortunate incident that happens unexpectedly and was unintentional – but results in some kind of damage or injury. But, the legal definition of insurance is more specific. When we refer to accidental death, we mean an event that results in serious bodily injury or death, caused by accidental, violent and external means.
Crucially, the term ‘accidental’ does not cover self-inflicted injuries (including suicide).
Under a Smart policy, death is considered an ‘accidental death’ if; An accident has been established as having occurred under the definition mentioned above and the accident results in the policyholder’s death with a 90-day period.
In some cases, death will be sudden and at short notice – for example where there is a car accident, workplace injury or natural disaster. Our policies acknowledge that some people succumb to their accidental injury after a short period of time in intensive care or on life support.
How Smart Life covers you for accidental death
At Smart we offer three policies that can provide cover for accidental death:
- Smart Family Life Insurance
- Smart Guaranteed Life Insurance
- Smart Personal Accident Insurance
But what’s the difference?
Accidental Death and our Guaranteed policy
Our Guaranteed Life Insurance policy covers you for accidental death from day one, so you have peace of mind from the moment your policy is agreed. It's important to note that cover for death by natural causes comes into effect after 24 months under the same policy. Your family will receive 3x your chosen benefit amount should you die as a result of an accident.
If you suffer an accident or die as the result of an accident, your family will receive an extra payment on top of your preselected benefit amount. That means your family may receive enough to cover funeral expenses and bills.
Optional Accidental Death benefit under our Family Life cover
Our Family Life cover offers a maximum benefit up to £750,000 (depending on your age), you can also apply to take out Optional Accidental Death cover for extra peace of mind.
This benefit gives your family an additional £650,000 lump sum (maximum available depends on your age at the start of the policy) on top of your Life Insurance benefit.
Smart Life Personal Accident Insurance
We also offer cover specifically for accidental death or injury (i.e. not cover for death by natural causes). Our Personal Accident Insurance is available to anyone aged 18 to 69 and offers a benefit amount up to £500,000. This is payable to your loved ones if you die as the result of an accident, or payable to you if you’re involved in an accident that leads to serious injury.
Note that we define serious injury (not self-inflicted) as an accident that results in blindness, deafness, or total and permanent loss of use of two limbs. In this scenario, your lump sum could make a vital contribution to rehabilitation costs and restructuring your lifestyle.
What isn’t covered under our Smart Personal Accident Insurance?
Being covered for accidental death should not be misinterpreted as a license to be gung-ho and reckless.
Under this policy, you’re not covered while engaging in any professional sport, most forms of private flying (other than as a passenger in a commercially licensed aircraft), any death that is the result of alcohol or drug-related injuries, engaging in criminal acts, or participation in war or civil unrest.
Again, self-inflicted injuries (or suicide) are not covered.
Protecting yourself in the event of an accident is easy
At Smart we can help you get that extra bit of cover that could provide for your loved ones should tragedy strike. With our Guaranteed Life Insurance you buy cover online now and you’ll have protection from accidental death immediately. For our Family Life Insurance and Personal Accident Insurance, you can get a no-obligation quote over the phone today. Once you’ve signed up to the selected policy you will be covered for death by accident from day one. So you can protect your loved ones should the worst happen in a simple and straightforward way.
No one knows what could be around the corner but having a plan in place can make all the difference. Accidental Death Cover could provide that extra safety net that could help your family when you’re not around.