After an accident involving injuries, uncertainty often arises immediately. Who pays for the damage? Does the other party need to be liable, or can you also claim from your own insurance? In practice, insurance in personal injury cases plays a crucial role. Yet many victims are unaware of which types of insurance are relevant and how they relate to each other.
In this article, we provide a clear and comprehensive overview of the most important types of insurance in personal injury cases. This way, you know what you are entitled to and avoid missing out on income or compensation.
Why is insurance so important in personal injury cases?
Personal injury often has major consequences. In addition to medical complaints, you may face loss of income, additional costs and long-term limitations. Insurance then serves as a financial safety net.
Sometimes the liable party compensates your damage. In other cases, your own insurance provides a solution, for example when liability is unclear or absent.
Motor vehicle liability insurance
Motor vehicle liability insurance is one of the most important types of insurance in personal injury cases. This insurance covers damage that 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 liability insurer of the responsible party pays compensation to the victim.
Motor vehicle liability insurance in traffic accidents
In traffic accidents, motor vehicle liability insurance almost always plays a central role. Motor vehicles are compulsorily insured. This means that in most cases, victims can recover their damages from an insurer.
You can read more about this on our page innocent third party scheme.
Personal liability insurance (AVP)
In addition to motor vehicle liability insurance, there is the personal liability insurance (AVP). This insurance covers damage that 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 games.
In cases of personal injury caused by an animal or an accident in the private sphere, the personal liability insurance is often the appropriate policy.
Passenger accident insurance (SVI)
The passenger accident insurance (SVI) is a supplementary car insurance. This insurance pays out for personal injury to the driver and passengers, regardless of who is at fault.
SVI is particularly important when:
- you caused the accident yourself;
- the other party is unknown or uninsured;
- it concerns 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 out a fixed amount in the event of permanent injury or death resulting from an accident. This does not involve compensation for actual damages, but rather a pre-agreed amount.
This insurance can exist alongside other types of insurance and provides additional financial security.
Disability insurance (AOV)
For self-employed individuals, disability insurance is of great importance. In cases of personal injury, disability insurance can provide income when working is temporarily or permanently impossible.
Please note: disability insurance is independent of liability. The benefit does not affect the right to recover damages from a liable party.
Employer insurance
In the case of personal injury at work, an employer may be insured through various policies, such as:
- employer liability insurance;
- accident insurance for employees;
- collective supplementary insurance.
These types of insurance often play a role in workplace accidents and occupational diseases.
Which insurance pays out first?
That depends on the situation. Sometimes the liable party is approached first. In other cases, your own insurance may pay out in advance, for example as an advance payment.
That is why it is important to map out all possible insurance options.
Can multiple insurance policies pay out simultaneously?
Yes, that is possible. For example, an SVI payment can exist alongside a liability claim. An accident insurance policy can also pay out additionally.
However, double compensation for the same item of damage is not permitted.
Common misconceptions
- "I have my own insurance, so I cannot hold anyone liable."
- "My insurance is paying out, so I have no right to compensation."
- "The insurance companies 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 medically documented;
- note down how the accident happened;
- map out all relevant insurance policies;
- 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, you as a victim bear no net financial risk.
Why choose Arslan Advocaten?
Personal injury and insurance form a complex interplay. We have extensive experience in claiming from multiple insurance policies in personal injury cases and ensure that no coverage remains unused.
Would you like to know which insurance policies apply in your situation? Please feel free to contact us for a no-obligation assessment.