Driver and Passenger Cover in Car Insurance Policy

IRDAI mandates every vehicle owner to have a compulsory personal accident protection along with the obligatory third-party car insurance policy. 

For every vehicle driver, it is very important to concentrate while driving a vehicle and stay away from distractions. This is because even a minute distraction can lead to a major tragedy on the road in the form of an accident. Accidents have become commonplace in India over the years. Despite numerous government measures and regulations, lakhs of people are dying every year on the Indian roads due to accidents. The government has by law made it mandatory for every vehicle owner to have a third-party car insurance policy as well as a personal accident coverage.

So, if you are wondering if owner driver PA cover is mandatory, then yes, it is compulsory to have a owner driver personal accident coverage. However, do you know that you can also avail a passenger insurance cover as an add-on to ensure protection to the passengers traveling in a car. Of course, you will have to pay an extra amount to avail this coverage. But a driver and passenger car insurance cover can ensure the safety of the people traveling in your car.

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Now, if you want to know what a PA cover for owner driver means, let us bring you more details about the policy as well as about the passenger and driver cover in a car insurance policy in the blog below:

Is it mandatory to have a driver passenger insurance cover for every vehicle owner?  

Though a coverage against personal accident worth rupees 15 lakh has been made compulsory in India for every driver/owner of a car. However, having a coverage for passengers traveling in a car is not compulsory by law.  But there are many options available that allow car owners to cover driver and passengers in a car with a personal accident coverage. A driver and passenger cover allow one to protect the owner/driver of the car against any accidents as well as the passengers and their family members against injuries caused during an accident (permanent or temporary disability and death).

Thus, the add-on passenger cover allow protection to over 3 passengers traveling in a car along with the driver in the event of an accident. Thus, it is highly recommended to have a driver and passenger car insurance to stay safe on the roads.

With this coverage of over 2 lakh rupees, it is possible to incur medical costs as well as any disability accountability in the event of death or disability of passengers.

What is a driver and passenger insurance cover? How does it work?

While a standard car policy protects against monetary obligations incurred for treatment of injuries and damages of the insurer/driver and the third-party in the event of an accident, it doesn’t cover the passengers sitting in a car. Moreover, a personal accident or PA cover for owner driver protects the driver or the insurance policy holder in the event of an accident.  Thus, no coverage is provided to the passengers sitting behind the driver’s seat against injuries in an accident. They have to incur the expenses of treatment on their own. Or the owner of the car has to bear the costs from his/her pocket.

But it is actually the responsibility of the car owner to ensure the safety and protection of the passengers sitting inside his/her car in terms of financial liability. Here, this add on coverage serves the purpose of covering injuries of the passengers in an accident involving the car of the insured person. This coverage also pays for liability in case of death or disability of the passengers.

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Compensation available under Passenger coverage

Below is the range of compensation offered under passenger coverage car insurance policy add-on:

Benefits of Driver and Passenger Cover in car insurance 

With a passenger as well as owner driver PA cover in a car insurance, you get the following benefits:

• driver and passenger insurance offer coverage against the expenses incurred in the treatment of injured driver and passenger.
• it allows financial coverage to the family members if car owner/driver and passenger dies in an accident.
• Also, in case of disability it allows liability coverage to owner/driver as well as passengers.
• it reduces monetary liability of the insurance holder.

So, you can enjoy the above benefits if you buy the add-on passenger cover along with the compulsory PA cover for owner driver.

What all are not covered under driver and passenger coverage?

• Doesn’t cover more than 3 passengers.
• Doesn’t cover if the injury is self inflicted or intentional
• Doesn’t cover if the driver was driving the vehicle under the influence alcohol or drugs

How to raise claim for driver and passenger cover?

It is very easy and simple to raise a claim for driver and passenger car insurance policy cover by buying an add-on protection. It can be done within minutes through online process by following the below steps:

• If your car gets involved in an accident with passengers sitting in the car, you just need to inform the insurer by making a call and informing them about the same.
• You must also file an FIR at the nearest police station informing them about the accident.
• If a third-party is involved in the accident, take all details of them and keep with you.
• Next, take the passengers in your car in a hospital for the required treatment.
• A surveyor will be assigned by the insurer to evaluate the situation and the damages/injuries for claim settlement.
• Finally, the insurer will reimburse the expenses incurred in the treatment of the injuries of the passengers in your car under the driver and passenger policy. In the event of disability or death of passenger or passengers in the accident, the insurance company will pay for the reimbursement to the family.

Conclusion

Accidents are very unpredictable. You never know when a sudden mishap might attack you. So, being prepared is necessary. Thus, buying an add-on driver and passenger coverage will help to deal with any such mishap. This should be bought in addition to the owner driver personal accident cover that is obligatory by law.