Key Highlights

• Air India Boeing 787‑8 Dreamliner crashed minutes after takeoff from Ahmedabad.
• Under DGCA, airlines must compensate victims' families via insurance; further legal claims possible through court route.

On Thursday, an Air India aircraft carrying more than 242 passengers crashed near Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner, en route to London, crashed shortly after takeoff at 1.39 p.m., causing extensive smoke near Meghaninagar.

The DGCA said that the plane had 242 passengers on board, two pilots, and ten cabin crew staff. The plane had Captain Sumeet Sabharwal and First Officer Clive Kundar when the incident occurred.

Flight accident insurance is a special kind of insurance in such instances, whereby it covers people in the event that they are involved in an accident during air travel. Though the incidences involving this are hard to come by, the effect of the same on the pockets of the travelers in case of certain occurring are so devastating, that this kind of travel insurance is significant to the financial safety of the travelers.

What is Flight Accident coverage?

The new type of add-on is flight accident coverage, which can become relevant to frequent flyers. As stated by SBI General Insurance, this type of insurance is meant to help financially in case of a flight accident and it acts as a safety net that eases the financial stress that can accompany a medical emergency or disability and death.

Due to the peculiarities of risks in air traveling, it is important to learn the extent and the gains of such coverage in order to be covered and feel secure during the trip.

What is covered under flight accident insurance?

Flight accident insurance is mainly used to cover the costs that are a result of injuries that are acquired in the process of taking a flight. These costs can be in form of medical costs, which can easily soar high in case of severe injuries and disability benefits that are paid in cases of temporary or permanent disability.

Accidental death benefits are also covered and this guarantees beneficiaries of financial assistance in case of an unfortunate incident where the policyholder dies.

Other policies even reimburse the emergency evacuation expenses so that medical care is sought in good time and transportation to the nearest suitable medical care centers is provided. This is to make sure that when an accident occurs the insured gets care at the right time and in the right way which might save lives and prevent seriousness of the damage.

Medical costs that can be quite expensive are taken care of and a person is not subjected to extra financial burden in the course of recovery. This insurance is important in giving one peace of mind due to the exorbitant costs that medical care can reach especially in a foreign nation.

The insurance also recompenses minor and serious injuries incurred in flights. This aspect allows policyholders to recuperate without fear because they know that they are backed up with some financial aid to settle any resultant bill without any economic burden.

Also Read: Vistara-Air India Merger: Here's How to Link your Club Vistara Account to Air India Flying Returns to get Benefits

Flight accident insurance and Travel insurance

It is also worth mentioning that flight accident insurance is on top of the comprehensive travel insurance, which covers various risks, which can occur during traveling, including trip cancelations, delayed or lost baggage, and non-aircraft-related medical issues. Consequently, travelers are advised not to mix the two when making arrangements concerning their insurance needs.

A careful examination of the policy terms and the coverage limits and exclusions are among the most important procedures in the pursuit of absolute awareness of what a flight accident insurance covers. The knowledge will enable the travelers to make effective decisions which suit their particular needs and traveling habits.

Insurance provided by airlines

Although airlines do offer some form of compensation in case of an accident, their coverage is in most cases minimal. Flight accident insurance is another source of financial security since it takes care of the costs that the airlines might not provide. This will cover the expenses arranging rehabilitation, medical procedures and loss of wages because of disability, acting as a broader safety net to travellers.

This is important and useful coverage particularly to individuals who use their income to take care of their families as they lessen the financial crisis of not being able to work because of the injuries they sustain in a fight.

What does flight accident cover not cover?

But the flight accident insurance does exclude certain deaths that are as a result of sickness, surgery or drug overdose. It is very important that the policyholders are aware of these limitations so that they can completely understand what is covered in their policies. Not all the insurers will have same terms and conditions and therefore, potential buyers have to compare the packages and chose the one that suit them most. Knowing these exclusions will help eliminate surprises in terms of making a claim.