Is Personal Accident Cover Compulsory in Car Insurance?

Manoj Kumawat
Written by Manoj Kumawat
01 April 2026
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Is Personal Accident Cover Compulsory in Car Insurance?

Cars make life comfortable, but avoiding risks on the road is not always easy. To deal with such risks efficiently, car insurance came into existence.

The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, requires all car owners to have third-party insurance for others safety. Along with this, it also focuses on owner-drivers' safety through personal accident (PA) cover.

In India, personal accident cover is mandatory for the registered owner-driver of the vehicle. It also ensures both legal compliance and personal protection while being on the road.

This blog will help you to understand everything about personal accident cover in car insurance.

Personal accident cover is linked to car insurance and provides financial support in case of injury, disability, or death of the owner-driver in an accident. It is mandated under motor insurance regulations in India in accordance with IRDAI guidelines for all the owner-drivers to get a PA cover with 15 lakh INR coverage. If someone has more than one vehicle, then only one PA cover is required.

What is Personal Accident Cover in Car Insurance?

Personal Accident (PA) cover is a part of car insurance that provides financial protection to the owner-driver in case of an accident. It offers compensation if the insured person suffers any of the following issues while driving the car:

  • Serious Injury leading to Partial Disability
  • Complete Disability
  • Death

This cover is designed to support you or your family during difficult situations by offering a fixed payout amount. In India, a Rs. 15 lakh PA cover is mandatory to cover the owner-driver in case of any mishaps.

Is Personal Accident Cover Compulsory?

Yes, personal accident (PA) cover is compulsory in India for the registered owner-driver of the car, as per IRDAI guidelines. It ensures that the owner-driver is financially protected in case of serious accidents.

Latest Rules for Personal Accident Cover in Car Insurance

  • As per updated regulations, a personal accident (PA) cover can be purchased separately from car insurance policies.
  • The owner-driver must have PA cover, even if they only buy third-party insurance.
  • If the owner-driver already has PA cover, then there is no need to purchase it again for a new vehicle.

Who Should Opt for Personal Accident Cover?

It is mandatory to buy personal accident cover for anyone who belongs to the categories below:

  • New car owners who drive
  • Owner-Driver without any existing PA policy

Features of Compulsory Personal Accident Cover in Car Insurance

Below are the features of personal accident cover in car insurance:

Feature Details
Mandatory cover For an owner-driver of a car
Coverage amount Rs. 15 lakh
Type of protection Covers death and disability due to accidents
Who is covered Owner-driver of the insured vehicle
Availability Included in comprehensive plans or available separately
Premium cost Fixed and affordable as per regulations
Claim benefit Lump sum payout to the insured or the nominee
Validity Valid for one year (standard)*

Note: * The validity of personal accident cover depends on the policy type. It can be one year or long-term.

How to Buy PA Cover Car Insurance India?

Square Insurance helps you to buy your personal accident cover in car insurance just by following simple steps:

  • Step 1: Visit the official website of Square Insurance.
  • Step 2: Go to the “Car Insurance” section and click on "Buy Car Insurance".
  • Step 3: Now, enter the registration number or choose "Got a New Car".
  • Step 4: Mention details like model, brand, registration year, variant, and fuel type.
  • Step 5: Then, compare and select a suitable insurance plan.
  • Step 6: Pick the Personal Accident (PA) Cover.
  • Step 7: Enter owner details and upload required documents.
  • Step 8: Finally, pay the premium and download the policy document.

Inclusions and Exclusions of Personal Accident (PA) Cover

PA cover helps in serious accidents, but not in cases of negligence, illegal actions, or non-accidental situations.

What Does it Cover?

PA cover in car insurance includes:

  • Accidental death of the owner-driver
  • Permanent disability (full or partial)
  • Loss of limbs or eyesight due to an accident

What Does it Not Cover?

PA cover in car insurance does not include:

  • Suicide or self-injury
  • Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
  • Driving without a valid licence
  • Accidents outside India
  • War, riots, or nuclear risks
  • Pre-existing health issues or non-accidental injuries
  • Indirect losses or damage to property

Documents Required to Claim Personal Accident Cover in Car Insurance

You have to submit certain documents to prove the reliability of your PA claim. These documents help to verify the accident and ensure a smooth claim settlement process.

Basic Documents to File a PA Claim

In every case, you need some common documents to file a claim. These basic documents include:

  • Properly filled claim form
  • Copy of car insurance policy
  • Valid driving licence of the owner-driver
  • Identity proof such as an Aadhaar card, PAN card, etc.

Specific Documents in Case of Injury or Death

In case of injury or disability, you may need:

  • Medical reports and hospital bills
  • Doctor's certificate
  • Disability certificate for permanent disability cases
  • Discharge summary from the hospital

In case of death, the documents you need are:

  • Death certificate of the insured
  • FIR or police report in accidental death cases
  • Post-mortem report in case of accidental death
  • Nominee's identity proof

Claim Settlement Process for Personal Accident Cover

Here are the steps for claim settlement of personal accident cover in car insurance:

  • 1. Inform the Insurer
    Start by notifying your insurance company as soon as possible through their website, customer care, or mobile app.
  • 2. Register the Claim
    To register, provide basic details such as policy number, accident time, and nature of injury.
  • 3. Submit Required Documents
    Upload or submit all necessary documents such as the claim form, medical reports, FIR, and ID proof.
  • 4. Verification by Insurer
    The insurer will review the documents and may conduct verification.
  • 5. Claim Approval
    After verification, the claim is approved by the insurer.
  • 6. Receive Compensation
    The approved claim amount is paid as a lump sum to the insured or nominee, depending on the situation.

Conclusion

Personal accident cover is an important part of car insurance that protects you both legally and financially. It ensures that you and your family receive support during difficult situations arising from accidents.

With the right knowledge, you can handle such unexpected events with more confidence and less stress. This cover also provides financial protection for the driver who owns the policy.

Always choose the right insurer to stay protected from both legal and financial risks on the road.

FAQs

Personal accident cover in car insurance is a safety benefit that provides financial help if the owner-driver gets injured, disabled, or dies in a road accident.

 

Yes, personal accident cover is compulsory for the owner-driver in India as per IRDAI guidelines. It is required with car insurance unless you already have a similar cover.

 

PA cover car insurance in India provides a fixed payout (usually up to Rs. 15 lakh) to the insured or nominee in case of accidental injury, disability, or death.

 

Yes, you can buy it separately if you already have car insurance.

 

Manoj Kumawat
Written by Manoj Kumawat
01 April 2026

Mr. Manoj Kumawat is an intrinsic character of Square Insurance Brokers Private Limited since the start of the organization.

Disclaimer* :- This article is shared to help inform the public and is for general information only. Please do not treat this article as the final word on the topic. We recommend that you do more research or talk to an expert if you need more advice.
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