A Personal Accident Insurance (POV) provides financial support in case of permanent disability or death following an accident, regardless of who is at fault. This makes it a valuable addition to your insurance package in Leiden.
What does a POV entail?
The Personal Accident Insurance is a type of fixed-sum insurance that pays out in case of permanent injury or death due to an accident. Unlike a liability insurance, the question of fault does not play a role here.
POV versus damage insurance
| Feature | POV (fixed-sum insurance) | Damage claim |
|---|---|---|
| Payout | Fixed percentage of insured sum | Actual damage compensation |
| Fault | No influence | Fault must be proven |
| Own fault | No reduction | Possible deduction from payout |
| Process | Often quick and simple | Prolonged and complicated |
What does a POV cover?
A POV includes various coverages, each with specific conditions for payout.
Key coverages
Permanent disability
In case of permanent injury, you receive a portion of the insured sum, based on the Schedule of Injuries (Gliedertaxe) or functional loss:
- Full disability: 100% of the sum
- Loss of an arm: 70-75% of the sum
- Loss of a leg: 60-70% of the sum
- Loss of an eye: 30-35% of the sum
- Partial injury: proportionate
Death due to an accident
If death occurs within a specified period (often 1-3 years) after the accident, the insured sum is paid out to the beneficiaries.
Additional coverages
Many policies offer supplementary options:
- Medical treatment costs
- Daily hospital allowance
- Dental costs following an accident
- Cosmetic procedures
When is a POV payout made?
The policy conditions define what constitutes an 'accident' and when you are entitled to a payout.
Definition of accident
An accident is regarded as an unexpected, sudden external event that leads to medically demonstrable injury.
Possible disputes
| Case | Often covered | Often not covered |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic incident | ✓ | |
| Sports injury | ✓ (if sudden) | Chronic wear and tear |
| Fall from height | ✓ | |
| Heart attack | ✓ (not an accident) | |
| Back complaints | ✓ (often degenerative) |
How is disability determined?
The payout depends on the percentage of permanent disability established.
Medical examination
An independent physician assesses the degree of disability, usually after 1-2 years when the medical condition is stable.
Assessment criteria
- Schedule of Injuries (Gliedertaxe): fixed percentages per body part
- Functional loss: assessment of functional limitations
- AMA guidelines: global standard for disability assessment
POV and personal injury in Leiden
A payout under the POV is independent of any potential damage claim against a liable party.
Combining claims
In Leiden, you can receive both a POV payout and damage compensation. These are not offset against each other.
Advice on POV claims
- Report the accident to your insurer as soon as possible
- Keep all relevant medical records
- File the claim in time to avoid limitation periods
- Verify the established disability percentage if in doubt
- Consider combining with a liability claim
Help in Leiden
For legal support, you can go to the Juridisch Loket Leiden at Stationsweg 46. In addition, the District Court of The Hague, Leiden location handles matters related to insurance disputes.