After an accident involving injury, uncertainty often arises immediately. Who pays for the damage? Does the other party have to be liable, or can you also make a claim under your own insurance? In practice, insurance in personal injury a crucial role. Yet many victims do not know which insurance policies are relevant and how they relate to each other.
In this article, we provide a clear and comprehensive overview of the most important insurance policies in personal injury cases. This way, you know what you are entitled to and avoid missing out on income or compensation.
Why are insurance policies in personal injury cases so important?
Personal injury often has major consequences. In addition to medical issues, you may face loss of income, extra costs, and long-term limitations. Insurance then provides the financial safety net.
Sometimes the liable party pays for your losses. In other cases, your own insurance offers a solution, for example when liability is unclear or absent.
WA insurance (liability insurance)
The WA insurance is one of the most important types of insurance for personal injury cases. This insurance covers damage you cause to others.
Examples:
- you cause a traffic accident;
- you hit someone with a car or scooter;
- you cause injury to a cyclist or pedestrian.
In the event of personal injury, the WA insurer of the liable party pays compensation to the victim.
WA insurance for traffic accidents
In traffic accidents, third-party liability insurance (WA) almost always plays a central role. Motor vehicles are required to be insured. This means that in most cases victims can recover their losses from an insurer.
You can read more about this on our page innocent third-party scheme.
AVP: personal liability insurance
In addition to WA insurance, there is the AVP (personal liability insurance). This insurance covers damage you cause as a private individual outside of traffic.
For example:
- a dog bite;
- a fall at someone’s home;
- personal injury caused by children;
- damage during sports or play.
In cases of personal injury caused by an animal or an accident in a private setting, the AVP is often the appropriate insurance.
SVI: occupant injury insurance
The SVI insurance (Occupant Injury Insurance) is an additional car insurance policy. This insurance pays out for personal injury to the driver and passengers, regardless of who is at fault.
SVI is especially important when:
- you cause the accident yourself;
- the other party is unknown or uninsured;
- it is a single-vehicle accident.
You can read more about this on our page SVI coverage for personal injury.
Accident insurance
An accident insurance policy pays a fixed amount in the event of permanent injury or death due to an accident. This is not compensation for actual losses, but a pre-agreed amount.
This insurance can exist alongside other insurance policies and provides extra financial security.
Disability insurance (AOV)
For self-employed individuals, the disability insurance is very important. In the event of personal injury, an AOV can provide income when working is temporarily or permanently not possible.
Note: an AOV is separate from liability. The payout does not affect the right to recover damages from a liable party.
Employer insurance policies
In the event of personal injury at work, an employer may be insured through various policies, such as:
- employer’s liability insurance;
- accident insurance for staff;
- collective supplementary insurances.
These insurance policies often play a role in workplace accidents and occupational diseases.
Which insurance pays out first?
That depends on the situation. Sometimes a claim is first made against the liable party. In other cases, your own insurance can pay out in advance, for example as an advance payment.
That is why it is important to identify all possible insurance policies.
Can multiple insurance policies pay out at the same time?
Yes, that is possible. For example, an SVI payout can exist alongside a liability claim. An accident insurance policy can also pay out additionally.
However, double compensation for the same damage item is not permitted.
Common misconceptions
- “I have my own insurance, so I can’t hold anyone liable.”
- “My insurance pays out, so I have no right to compensation.”
- “Insurers will sort this out among themselves.”
These assumptions are often incorrect and can lead to missed compensation.
What should you do after personal injury?
After personal injury, it is important to act quickly and carefully.
- have the injury documented medically;
- note how the accident happened;
- identify all insurance policies involved;
- keep medical and financial documents;
- seek legal assistance.
You can also find more general information on our page personal injury lawyer.
Does legal assistance cost me money?
In personal injury cases the costs of legal assistance are in most cases recovered from the liable party or their insurer. As a result, as the victim, you ultimately bear no financial risk.
Why choose Arslan Advocaten?
Personal injury and insurance form a complex interplay. We have extensive experience with pursuing claims under multiple insurance policies in personal injury cases and ensure that no coverage goes unused.
Would you like to know which insurance policies will pay out in your situation? Feel free to contact us for a no-obligation assessment.
