No matter your age, whether at work or at home—life can be unpredictable. I don’t know anyone who hasn’t had at least a minor accident like a twisted ankle. Common injuries like fractures and sprains are numerous. Depending on the severity of the injury, recovery can take a short time, a long time, or, in some cases, it might be impossible to fully recover. What all these situations have in common is the possibility of receiving compensation for the injury.
What is NNW Insurance?
Accident insurance (NNW) guarantees, as the name suggests, compensation for what happens to your body after an accident. This could be a fracture, but also a sprain, cut, burn—depending on the insurance policy. It’s important to note that the cause must be a SUDDEN and RANDOM event.
In most cases, NNW insurance operates similarly. After an injury, based on medical documents (such as those from the ER or a doctor’s visit), the percentage of health impairment is determined. The insurance company then pays compensation based on the type of insurance contract and the agreed sum insured.
Depending on the insurer, the scope of NNW coverage may vary. Some policies may cover every event and even the smallest impairment, while others may only cover severe cases like the loss of a limb.
It’s essential to remember that the funds are paid without a specific purpose—they are not, for example, intended solely for medical expenses or rehabilitation. It’s up to you to decide how to use the funds received from NNW insurance.
You can purchase a policy as a standalone option (interestingly, it’s then considered property insurance) or as an add-on to life insurance.
Types and Coverage of NNW Insurance Policies
One of the most common issues, and a source of many myths, is the lack of understanding of what exactly the policy covers. Just one word can determine whether compensation is owed! When purchasing NNW insurance, it’s essential not only to look at the scope of coverage (e.g., in the general terms and conditions of insurance) but also to check for any exclusions or special provisions. For instance, compensation might only be paid if the accident results in an impairment above a certain percentage. No one wants to discover this after the fact.
Below, I outline several types of this insurance to help you choose the NNW policy that best suits your needs.
Permanent Health Impairment
Permanent health impairment is the most general and commonly used term in these policies. Compensation is paid if, as a result of an accident, you suffer an injury with lasting effects. This is often where debates arise about what exactly constitutes a permanent impairment.
There are cases where even a broken leg is not considered a permanent impairment, but a sprained ankle might be.
Many insurance companies have impairment tables that clearly state what percentage of the sum insured corresponds to which injury. However, this method has a downside—if the impairment isn’t listed in the table, no compensation is paid.
Fortunately, most general insurance conditions include tables with hundreds of different cases, so it would be very unlucky not to receive compensation.
Depending on the degree of injury from the accident, a percentage is determined, based on which the insurance company pays compensation.
Injury Without Permanent Health Impairment
This type of policy is an excellent complement to the one described above. It can cover injuries like burns, cuts, minor sprains, swelling, etc.
With such a policy, insurers offer lower sums, and it’s generally considered a supplement to other insurances rather than a standalone policy.
Permanent Disability
Permanent disability compensation is only paid in the event of a very severe health impairment. It can be defined as a percentage, e.g., more than 20% impairment, or “specifically,” such as the loss of a limb or a spinal fracture.
This is where many myths arise, claiming that additional NNW insurance doesn’t work. Why? Because many people opt for (usually cheaper) permanent disability policies and are surprised when no payout occurs after a minor incident. This is why it’s so important to read the contract carefully and make a thoughtful purchase of NNW insurance.
NNW Automobile Insurance
This type of policy is additional insurance that pays out when an injury occurs due to a car accident. It is, of course, combined with other NNW policies, but it’s important to remember that you’ll only receive compensation while in a vehicle covered by such a policy.
Automobile NNW insurance is typically an add-on to a liability insurance policy. It’s entirely optional, but purchasing it often guarantees attractive discounts.
How Much Does NNW Insurance Cost?
The cost of an NNW policy is usually low, ranging from a few dozen to a few hundred złoty per year. It all depends on the sum insured. Remember, NNW insurance works independently of others, so you can have as many of these policies as you want. No complicated medical questionnaires are required to sign a policy, and there’s no waiting period.
Insurance companies offer this type of policy in standalone contracts, life insurance, group policies in companies and open groups, with home or vehicle insurance, and even for international travel.
