There usually comes a time when you realise that your body doesn’t quite work the way it used to. It might be the time it takes for you to recover from a gym session, or whilst you're at home and your knees let you know as you lift up the kids. Sometimes it’s less dramatic - a simple movement, done a thousand times before, and suddenly something goes.
For most, those niggling aches and pains are uncomfortable, inconvenient, and a bit frustrating. But what if it was something worse? A knock, a fall, or broken bones can mean time off work - not by choice, but because your body won’t let you carry on. For someone working on the tools, that can be a serious issue.
When you’re self-employed, time off usually means no money coming in. Jobs get cancelled. Work grinds to a halt. The mortgage still needs to be paid, and bills don’t wait. If you can’t work, you can’t earn.
That’s where Personal Accident Insurance comes in. It’s designed to give you financial support in the form of a tax-free lump-sum payment if an accident - whether suffered at work or outside of it - forces you off the tools.
Here, we'll guide you through everything you wanted to know, discuss how the policy works, what it covers, what it doesn't cover and whether it's right for you.
Personal Accident Insurance provides a tax-free lump-sum payment if you’re injured or suffer death as a result of an accident, whether this happens inside or outside of work. The payment is based on the level of cover you choose (there are three levels to choose from) and depends on the severity of the injury you suffer, such as fractures, hospital stays, permanent disablement, or accidental death.
Think of it as financial backup for when an accident knocks you off your feet, and forces you off work.
Accidents don’t only happen on building sites or in high-risk workplaces. They can occur while loading a van, moving between jobs, climbing ladders, or even during everyday activities away from work. No matter how careful you are, accidents are unpredictable - and their impact can be immediate and serious.
If you’re self-employed or your income depends on physical work, an injury can quickly create financial strain. Time off work often means no income at all, just when you need stability the most. On top of that, injuries can bring unexpected expenses, such as transport costs, childcare, or paying for extra help at home.
Being forced to cancel jobs doesn’t just affect your earnings - it can also put pressure on your professional reputation. Clients still need work completed, and taking time off unexpectedly can be stressful, especially if you feel pushed to return to work before you’re fully recovered.
Personal Accident Insurance won’t prevent accidents from happening, but it can help protect you financially when they do. It provides support if you’re unable to work due to injury, helping you cover essential living costs and easing the worry while you focus on recovery.
Because even when you’re off work, life doesn’t stop. Mortgages or rent still need to be paid, food still needs to be put on the table, and household bills continue as normal. Personal Accident Insurance helps soften the financial blow, giving you peace of mind and the space to get back on your feet properly - without rushing your recovery or risking your livelihood.
Personal Accident Insurance pays benefits when an accident causes specific injuries or outcomes.
Cover can include:
Accidental death
Permanent total disablement
Loss of sight, hearing, or speech
Loss of use of limbs or joints
Fractures (graded by severity)
Burns and permanent scarring
Hospitalisation (daily benefit and lump sum)
The amount paid depends on the level of cover you choose and the type of injury, with fixed amounts set out in the policy wording.
It doesn’t replace your income week by week, and it doesn’t cover illness.
Personal Accident Insurance is not all-encompassing. Common exclusions include:
Any sickness, disease, or degenerative process (a condition which becomes progressively worse)
Accidents that occur whilst under the influence of or being affected by alcohol or drugs
Self-inflicted injuries or suicide
Dangerous activities such as rock climbing or mountaineering, or competing in a race other than on foot or whilst swimming
Riding on a motorcycle, moped or scooter as a driver or passenger
War, terrorism, or military service
Flying except as a fare-paying passenger
The manufacture or use of explosives, radiation, contamination, or the effects of radiation
Putting yourself in exceptional danger (except in an attempt to save human life)
The illegal acts of the person who has suffered the accident
Personal Accident Insurance starts from just £89.00 per year (or £7.42 per month), with three levels of cover available to suit different needs and budgets. Generally, the higher the level of cover you choose, the greater the potential payout - and the higher the premium.
One key benefit of Personal Accident Insurance is that it can be purchased as a stand-alone policy. This means you don’t need to hold any other Rhino Trade Insurance policies to take out cover.
In contrast, many other Rhino policies, such as Tool Insurance, Employers’ Liability Insurance, or Legal Expenses Insurance, require you to have an active Public Liability Insurance policy in place. Personal Accident Insurance offers flexibility, making it an accessible option whether it’s your only cover or part of a wider insurance package.
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer - the right level of Personal Accident Insurance depends entirely on your individual needs and circumstances.
A good starting point is to consider your regular outgoings and how long you could realistically manage without an income. Think about essentials such as rent or mortgage payments, household bills, food, and any ongoing financial commitments.
Some people choose a lower level of cover to help manage short-term disruption if they’re temporarily unable to work. Others prefer more comprehensive protection that provides a larger payout if they’re seriously injured or permanently unable to return to work.
The key is choosing cover that gives you confidence and peace of mind - knowing that, whatever happens, you have financial support in place while you focus on recovery.
Personal Accident Insurance is commonly taken out by trades where physical ability is essential, including:
If your income depends on being physically capable, this type of cover is worth considering.
You’re a self-employed electrician working on a property when you fall from a ladder while installing lighting. You break your leg in the fall, leaving you unable to work while you recover.
As the injury prevents you from working, you make a claim on your Personal Accident Insurance. Your policy pays out in line with the level of cover you selected, helping you cover essential living costs such as rent, household bills, and everyday expenses while you focus on recovery.
You’re a self-employed plumber who’s injured in a road traffic accident while cycling at the weekend. You suffer a fractured skull that requires surgery and time off work. Although the accident didn’t happen while you were working, the injury still stops you from carrying out your job.
Because Personal Accident Insurance covers accidental injuries both at and away from work, you’re able to make a successful claim for the injury itself, plus you receive a benefit for the time that you are hospitalised. The payout helps replace lost income and supports you financially until you’re fit to return to work.
You can get a quote for Personal Accident Insurance by visiting our quote engine, or by calling our team of experts on 0116 243 7904.
Yes. Personal Accident Insurance can be taken out on its own and does not need to be linked to another policy.
When making a claim, you’ll need:
Details of the accident
Medical evidence from a registered doctor, such as a doctor’s note
Any hospital or treatment records requested
Claims must be submitted within the required timeframe and supported by medical documentation.
If the required information or medical evidence isn’t provided, the claim may be delayed or declined. Evidence is essential to confirm eligibility.
If the requested information or medical evidence is provided in good time, the claim payout can be received within a matter of weeks.
Delays in providing evidence can delay the process.
Personal Accident Insurance pays a tax-free lump-sum fee. Income Protection Insurance pays out a monthly payment up to your chosen level of cover, and covers sickness or disease. To read more on the differences, check out our post here.
Yes - you can hold both polcies at the same time.
Yes.
The policy will pay benefits for an accident which happens to you outside the UK, provided you have not been outside the UK for more than 12 weeks in the preceding 52-week period at the time of the accident.
This ultimate guide to Personal Accident Insurance explains how tradespeople can protect their income if an accident forces them off work, with tax-free lump-sum payouts available whether injuries happen on or off the job.
A practical, no-nonsense guide to Tools Insurance for UK tradespeople. Learn what tools insurance covers, how much it costs, how claims work, and how Rhino helps protect your tools so you can stay on the tools if the worst happens.
If you are looking at ways of financially protecting your business, your tools, or your income, it’s vital to understand just how important insurance can be.
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