Your family is heading out on a bike trip. It’s a sunny day, and you’re excited to get out there and enjoy life.
But after a few miles, one of your children falls off their bike. Now, instead of a fun family day out, you’re driving to the hospital and expecting a bunch of medical bills.
Accidents happen all the time, even to people who live relatively risk-free lives, says Jeff Baechle. He’s the Senior Director of Products, Employee & Individual at UnitedHealthcare.
And Baechle knows all too well about the above situation. Baechle says he was on a vacation in Colorado one time when a family member was injured in a bike accident.
While accident insurance can’t stop accidents from happening, it can provide you with coverage for some of the out-of-pocket costs that happen as a result of an accident.
Why get accident insurance? Here are 5 things you need to know before purchasing it.
A freak injury could bust your budget — but it doesn’t have to. Learn how accident insurance can help pay medical and personal bills.
1. Accident insurance can cover everyday accidents.
Some people might think accident insurance is needed only if you’re accident-prone or work a dangerous job.
But Baechle says accident insurance can cover everyday accidents like broken bones or burns. Your accident insurance plan can also include coverage for your children.
What does accident insurance add to your traditional health insurance policy? It all depends on your plan, says Baechle.
In some cases, accident insurance will cover what medical coverage does not. “Some accident plans may pay for accident expenses even if health insurance helps pay for other expenses,” notes Baechle. Reading the fine print can help determine how your policy covers your expenses.
The benefit money you get from accident insurance can potentially even be used for personal expenses like:
In other cases, though, accident insurance can pick up where your health insurance coverage leaves off.
Generally, accident insurance has a maximum amount it will pay per accident or per year, so knowing how your plan works will help you avoid surprises.
2. Accident insurance can cover serious injuries — and even death.
Sometimes it’s difficult to think about the worst-case scenario. “There is a reason it’s called an accident,” says Baechle. “No one expects it to happen.”
Some accident insurance can provide you or your family a lump sum benefit for an accidental injury or even accidental death, providing some financial help during a difficult time.
3. Accident insurance may not be as expensive as you think.
“Accident insurance is probably one of the lowest-cost types of insurance you can get,” notes Baechle. Prices and availability vary depending on which state you live in.
However, accident policies are priced based on composite, which means that providers use a set price based on the average risk profile of your demographic group, as opposed to your individual profile.
Did you know that accident insurance can help with out-of-pocket costs? Enter your zip code to see your options.
4. Accident insurance works well with certain types of health plans.
If your main health insurance is a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP), consider getting a separate accident insurance plan.
The reason? Your monthly premium (insurance bill) is often lower if you have an HDHP. But there’s a catch: You’ll end up paying more medical costs as a part of your deductible for an HDHP before insurance kicks in. (In 2026, any plan with a deductible of at least $1,700 for an individual or $3,400 for a family is considered an HDHP.1)
So, if you have an HDHP, accident insurance can help pay for costs related to an accident by helping to cover deductibles, as well as copays and coinsurance (fees paid every time you get certain healthcare services).
Accident insurance can also help you pay for other costs related to an accident — such as crutches if you break your leg.
5. Accident insurance also works well with certain types of supplemental insurance.
Suppose you trip, fall and hurt yourself so badly that you have to miss a lot of work.
If you have separate disability insurance, you’ll get a monthly amount when you’re hurt and can’t work. But if you also have an accident insurance plan, you’ll get a lump sum benefit, too.
If, for example, you go into a coma, a separate critical illness insurance plan will provide a lump sum benefit for health services related to your qualified medical condition. If you have accident insurance as well, that plan would help pay for covered expenses if your critical care happened as a result of an accident.
The bottom line: While accident insurance isn’t the same as health insurance, it can help cover certain accident-related healthcare expenses, such as deductibles (what you pay before the insurance company starts to pay for covered services) and the cost of certain treatments that medical insurance may not cover or may only partly cover.
“Unless you have money sitting in savings earmarked for the unexpected, it can be a good idea to consider accident coverage,” notes Baechle. The boost can help you focus on getting better.
Accident insurance can cover serious injuries — and even death. Explore your options today, or call a licensed insurance agent at 1-844-211-7730 for more information.
For informational purposes only. This information is compiled by UnitedHealthcare, and/or one of its affiliates, and does not diagnose problems or recommend specific treatment. Services and medical technologies referenced herein may not be covered under your plan. Please consult directly with your primary care physician if you need medical advice.
Sources:
Internal Revenue Service. “Part III - Administrative, procedural and miscellaneous.” Retrieved from https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/n-26-05.pdf Accessed January 29, 2026.
Compliance code:
53040-X-0226
