Personal accident insurance is cover for the individual against reduction of income following temporary injuries, together with a lump sum benefit for permanent injuries.

Group personal accident insurance is basically no different to this, although it is primarily designed to protect the business, rather than the individual. 'Key man' Insurance is a good example of this, as it will provide financial support for a company, were an important individual become unable to work following an accident.

A typical group personal accident insurance schedule may look something like this:

Benefit	Sum Insured
Death	4 x annual salary
Permanent loss of eye(s)	4 x annual salary
Permanent loss of limbs(s)	4 x annual salary
Permanent total disablement	4 x annual salary
Temporary total disablement	Basic weekly salary for up to 104 weeks

The persons covered on the policy may be a handful of named individuals, certain categories of employees or all permanent staff. Cover may operate for a full 24 hour period, or be restricted to business activities only for a premium saving.

It is important to realise that the claims payments are payable to the company, not the individual injured. Many businesses however, will choose to pass on the claims payment to the employee. This can then be viewed by employees as en excellent feature of their remuneration package, despite the relatively low cost to the employer.

Personal accident cover will only provide a benefit for a limited period, usually a maximum of 104 weeks. If benefits for a longer period were required, this could be arranged under a Group Income Protection insurance, which may provide payments through to retirement. Care should be taken in both cases however, as there should be a return to work incentive for the employee.

Group personal accident insurance can include or run alongside group travel insurance. This will offer the vital medical insurance cover when engaged on business activities overseas. Other sections, such as personal baggage, money, loss of passports, cancellation and curtailment will often also be included.