Accident Insurance
Your world can be turned upside down in an instant.
Guardian Direct® is here to help when the unexpected happens.
What is it?
Accident Protection Plus is supplemental coverage that helps pay for injury-related out-of-pocket costs not fully covered by your existing medical insurance. The cash benefit is paid directly to you and can be used in any way you choose, including to offset deductibles or copays, ambulance charges, crutches and more, or even to cover household expenses such as your mortgage or groceries.
What does it cover?
Guardian Direct covers more than 25 injury and treatment types. Click on each category to view coverage details.
Injuries
Injuries
Covers accident-related concussions, lacerations, fractured or broken bones, dislocations, burns, surgery, coma, loss of limbs, and death.
Ambulance Services
Ambulance Services
Covers ambulance rides and even air ambulances.
Emergency Care
Emergency Care
Covers urgent care doctor visits, emergency room visits, and follow-up doctor visits.
Diagnostic Tests
Diagnostic Tests
Covers diagnostic X-rays, CT or CAT scans, MRIs (magnetic resonance imaging), or EEGs (measures electrical activity of the brain).
Hospital Treatment
Hospital Treatment
Covers hospital and intensive care unit admission and stays.
Restorative Treatment
Restorative Treatment
Covers prescribed appliances, prosthetics, injury-related dental crowns or extractions, and injury-related eye surgery or object removal.
Rehabilitation Treatment
Rehabilitation Treatment
Covers physical therapy sessions and rehabilitation center stays.
Children's Organized Sports Benefit
Children's Organized Sports Benefit
If your child (18 and younger) was participating in an organized sport when the accident occurred, the cash benefit paid increases by 20%*.
Benefit not available in New York. The child must be insured by the plan on date the accident occurred. The child must be 18 years of age or younger.
How it works
Guardian Direct lends a financial hand when you or a loved one has an accident.
1
Accident Verified
After you or a family member has an accident, you submit a claim including details of the injury and injury-related treatments to Guardian for verification.
2
Cash Benefit Received
Guardian pays a cash benefit directly to you -- not to doctors or hospitals -- based on the type of injury, the severity of the injury, and the prescribed treatments (no waiting period, no deductible, no extra steps).
3
Bills Paid
Pay any bills you choose -- from deductibles, copays or coinsurance to ambulance charges, crutches or wheel chairs to mortgage, groceries, or child care expenses -- while you are recuperating.
Case studies
While walking her dog on a rainy night, Liz tripped and fractured her ankle. Guardian Accident Protection Plus paid her a cash benefit of $1,260, covering her out-of-pocket medical expenses and protecting her savings.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Emergency Room Treatment | $200 |
| X-Ray | $40 |
| Fractured Ankle | $720 |
| Follow-up Doctor Visits | $300 |
| Paid to Liz | $1,260* |
* Coverage based on Gold Plan reimbursement. Actual coverage may vary.This story is a fictional example based upon estimated costs and should not be used as basis for any specific decision making. #2018-70895 (exp. 1/21)
While playing in a high school football game, Danny took a hard hit, resulting in a neck injury. Guardian Accident Protection Plus paid a cash benefit of $2,960 plus an additional 20% because the injury was during school sports.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Ambulance & Emergency Room | $410 |
| Hospital Admission | $1,750 |
| Hospital Stay - 1 Day | $300 |
| Physical Therapy - 10 Visits | $500 |
| Children’s Organized Sports Benefit (+20%) | $592 |
| Paid to Danny's Parents | $3,552* |
* Coverage based on Gold Plan reimbursement. Actual coverage may vary. Children's Organized Sports Benefit not available in NY.This story is a fictional example based upon estimated costs and should not be used as basis for any specific decision making. #2018-70895 (exp. 1/21)
Sophie was involved in a car accident and sustained significant injuries. Guardian Accident Protection Plus paid her a cash benefit of $1,535, covering expenses her medical insurance did not fully cover.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Ambulance & Emergency Room | $300 |
| X-Ray | $30 |
| Concussion | $75 |
| Head Laceration (15 cm) | $500 |
| Fractured Arm | $630 |
| Paid to Sophie | $1,535* |
* Coverage based on Silver Plan reimbursement. Actual coverage may vary.
This story is a fictional example based upon estimated costs and should not be used as basis for any specific decision making. #2018-70895 (exp. 1/21)
Jeff broke his femur in a skiing accident while on vacation and had to be air lifted to the emergency room in the next town. He received a total cash benefit of $5,740 for his covered injury and treatments.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Air Lift Ambulance | $1,400 |
| Emergency Room Treatment | $200 |
| X-Ray | $40 |
| Fractured Femur | $3,600 |
| Physical Therapy - 10 Visits | $500 |
| Paid to Jeff | $5,740* |
* Coverage based on Gold Plan reimbursement. Actual coverage may vary.This story is a fictional example based upon estimated costs and should not be used as basis for any specific decision making. #2018-70895 (exp. 1/21)
While Mark was grilling steaks at a summer BBQ, a mishap caused Mark to suffer 2nd degree burns. Guardian Accident Protection Plus paid Mark a total cash benefit of $5,100, covering his out-of-pocket medical expenses.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Emergency Room Treatment | $200 |
| 2nd Degree Burn (over 35 sq inches) | $3,000 |
| Skin Graft | $1,500 |
| Physical Therapy - 8 Visits | $400 |
| Paid to Mark | $5,100* |
* Coverage based on Gold Plan reimbursement. Actual coverage may vary.This story is a fictional example based upon estimated costs and should not be used as basis for any specific decision making. #2018-70895 (exp. 1/21)
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions about Guardian Direct Accident insurance? We've got answers.
Guardian Accident Protection Plus helps with the unexpected expenses from an accidental injury such as a broken bone, burn, or concussion that medical insurance doesn't fully cover. More than 25 injury and treatment types are covered, including ambulance charges, emergency room visits, hospital costs, surgery, crutches, physical therapy, and more. Benefits paid are based on the type of injury, severity of the injury, and type of treatments you receive. Cash benefits are paid directly to you -- not to doctors or hospitals -- and can be used in any way you choose.
Remember to cover your kids! Where there are kids, there are accidents. And if your child is injured during an organized sport event, the cash benefit paid increases by 20%!
No. Guardian Accident Protection Plus is a supplemental health insurance plan that is not a substitute for major medical coverage. It's designed to cover the out-of-pocket costs from an accidental injury that your major medical plan does not cover. The cash benefit can be used in any way you choose to pay for expenses such as medical deductibles and copays, or even your mortgage, household expenses, or child care.
No. Guardian Accident Protection Plus has no deductibles (amounts that you must cover before the plan pays benefits), there are no waiting periods during which no benefits are paid, and there is no yearly maximum payout amount.
Accident insurance is for those who want to avoid using savings to cover the unexpected costs of an accident. If you'd rather establish your own rainy day savings, we respect that! But if your savings would suffer a setback to pay for the costs beyond what major medical insurance will cover, then give Guardian Accident Protection Plus a look. A cash benefit paid directly to you may help reduce financial stress. Cash benefit can be used in any way you choose, to cover medical deductibles and copays, ambulance charges, crutches, physical therapy, or even household expenses.
Yes, with Guardian Accident Protection Plus you can see any doctor you choose. There are no restrictions on doctors, care centers, or hospitals that you can use.
Individual accident insurance products are underwritten by The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, New York, New York. Products are not available in all states. Policy limitations and exclusions apply. The actual limitations and exclusions that apply to your Accident Plan are governed by the policy forms approved for use in your state. Please refer to your policy for a complete list of limitations and exclusions. In the event of a conflict between this document and the language stated in your Guardian insurance policy, the language of the policy shall control. This policy provides limited benefits only.
Guardian Direct plans are underwritten and issued by The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America New Your, N.Y. or its subsidiaries. Products are not available in all states. Policy limitations and exclusions apply. In the event of a conflict between this document and the language stated in your Guardian insurance policy, the language of the policy shall control.
Rates are guaranteed for one year for your policy of benefits initially selected. Policies renew annually up to age 90.
Accident Individual Policy Form IP- Accident: IP-ACC-16 et. al.
Information on the approved state and product specific online enrollment form numbers can be viewed here: Online Enrollment Form Numbers
3 in 5 people don't have the funds to cover a $3,000 medical bill.†
†The Guardian Workplace Benefits Study℠, Fourth Annual, 2016
Resources
Accident Prevention
critical Illness
Dental Health
Why Freelancers May Need Supplemental Insurance Coverage
Discover how supplemental insurance can help protect your health and savings as a freelancer.
Accident Prevention
Sports Health
What Is Accident Insurance and What Does It Cover?
Here’s what an accident insurance plan covers and how it can help you get back on your feet quicker.