Why Personal Accident Insurance Deserves Attention This Diwali

Diwali brings light and celebration, and every year, a steady trickle of firecracker mishaps. Burns, eye injuries, and accidental disability can follow a single moment of bad luck, and medical bills plus income loss can turn a brief accident into a long-term burden. Personal accident (PA) insurance, whether bought as a short-term festive add-on or a year-round cover, can provide immediate financial relief when it's needed most.

What The Cover Typically Protects. And What It Doesn't

"Many insurers now offer a personal accident cover which includes coverage for burns or injuries caused by firecracker mishaps in the festive season. This includes coverage for hospitalisation and medical expenses due to mishaps, and also provides payout in case of permanent disability or demise of the policyholder," says Siddharth Singhal, head of health insurance, Policybazaar.

That protection commonly includes hospitalisation bills, treatment costs, and lump-sum payouts for permanent disability or accidental death. Exclusions are important to note: deliberate misuse of firecrackers, self-inflicted injuries, accidents occurring under intoxication, and other specified situations are typically not covered. "The rider includes hospitalisation and treatment costs arising from firecracker injuries, complete and permanent disability due to any mishaps, or accidental death due to firecracker accidents. Any injuries resulting from deliberate misuse of firecrackers or self-inflicted injuries are not covered," says Singhal.

Cost And Short-Term Options For Middle-Class Households

Insurers and aggregators have priced festive add-ons to be affordable for many families. Typical short-duration covers aim to remove the cost barrier for households that want protection only during the high-risk window around Diwali. Bhaskar Nerurkar, head of the health administration team, Bajaj Allianz General Insurance, stresses the wider rationale: "A personal accident policy is useful not only in case of a Diwali celebration or during a special event, but it is also wise for people to opt for insurance anyway. It provides financial protection in case of any mishap, giving you peace of mind, various benefits, and income protection, ensuring that you and your family are financially secure," says Nerurkar.

Short-term festive covers typically cost a fraction of a year-long policy and can include day-care or inpatient hospitalisation expenses plus accidental death benefits for a limited period (commonly seven to 15 days). "Short-term festive add-ons are highly affordable as they provide protection for a limited period of time and are beneficial for those who just want coverage during the festive season," adds Nerurkar.

Picking The Right Cover

If you plan to buy a festival add-on, read the policy wording carefully: check the definition of "accident," what kinds of treatment are reimbursable (day-care versus inpatient), how permanent disability is calculated, and all listed exclusions. For many families, a short-term rider is a sensible, low-cost way to cover the Diwali window; for others, a year-round personal accident policy provides continuous income protection and peace of mind beyond the festival.

Diwali should be about family and light. A modest insurance step, seasonal or permanent, can make sure a single accident doesn't dim the months that follow.