Accident & Health | Frequently Asked Questions, Part 1

Accident and Health insurance is crucial for businesses as it helps protect both employees and the company from the financial consequences of unexpected medical events or workplace injuries. By providing coverage for medical expenses, lost wages, and rehabilitation costs, this type of insurance ensures that employees receive the care they need while minimising the financial strain on the business. It also demonstrates a commitment to employee well-being, which can improve morale, reduce turnover, and enhance the company's reputation.

Delta's A&H Senior Underwriter, Sophie Wunsch, answers common questions brokers and their clients have about Accident and health insurance coverage.

Let's delve into the most common:

What exactly does Accident & Health insurance cover, and how is it typically structured? 

Delta’s Accident & Health products are designed to protect individuals and businesses from the financial impact of accidental injuries, illnesses, and medical events that happen in specific contexts. 

Here’s how it’s typically structured across our core offerings: 

• Group Personal Accident (GPA): Covers employees for accidental injury (and optionally sickness), both during and outside of work hours, depending on the policy. Options can include Voluntary Workers and Journey Injury extensions. 

• Individual Personal Accident (IPA): Similar to GPA, but for individuals, it is often used by sole traders or contractors looking for standalone coverage. 

• Business Travel Insurance: Covers employees travelling for work, including accidental injury, cancellation costs, lost luggage, and other travel-related disruptions. International cover includes medical and evacuation costs; domestic travel focuses on non-medical events. 

• Overseas Medical Expenses (Expat/Inpat): Designed for employees working or living overseas (or coming into Australia), this policy can cover major medical expenses, repatriation, and related costs. 

Policies are tailored to each client’s needs, with flexibility on benefits, limits, and who’s covered. 

For SME clients who already offer basic health benefits, why should they consider Accident & Health insurance on top of that? 

While basic health benefits provide important coverage for ongoing medical care and treatments, Delta's Accident & Health (A&H) insurance can add an extra layer of protection that complements health plans. We can cover areas that health insurance typically doesn't, such as: 

• Group Personal Accident (PA) Coverage: provides financial security for employees in case of injury or sickness, whether at work or outside. The added options for Journey Injury and Voluntary Workers increase flexibility, ensuring a broader scope of protection. Delta can cover accidental injuries, whether they occur at work or outside of work. We can provide income replacement if an employee cannot work due to an injury, helping businesses manage the financial impact of employee absences. We may cover rehabilitation and transportation costs related to injuries that basic health benefits do not. 

• Business Travel Accident Coverage: For employees who travel as part of their role, we can cover injuries or accidents that occur during business trips and provide coverage for Loss of Deposits or Cancellation Expenses due to unforeseen circumstances. While medical expenses and repatriation are not covered for travel within Australia, additional support is available for travel delays, missed connections, or temporary disability due to an injury during business travel. 

• Expatriate Coverage: Delta can cover accidental injuries and medical expenses for employees working overseas. This includes support for rehabilitation, travel assistance, and other essential services. By addressing the risks associated with international assignments, expatriate coverage can offer additional peace of mind to employees working outside of Australia. 

In essence, Delta's Accident & Health insurance is a valuable addition for SMEs as we can fill gaps in traditional health insurance, helping businesses protect employees from accidents, injuries, and other unforeseen expenses that aren't covered by standard health plans. 

How do A&H policies typically fit into the broader employee benefits package for smaller companies? 

Accident & Health (A&H) policies complement basic health benefits by covering risks and costs not typically addressed by traditional health plans. For example: 

• Group Personal Accident (GPA) provides coverage for injuries that occur both at work and outside of work, helping with income replacement and rehabilitation costs, gaps often left by regular health insurance. 

• Business Travel Accident Insurance extends coverage for employees who travel for work, offering benefits like emergency accommodation and travel assistance in case of an accident. 

These policies help small businesses provide comprehensive employee protection, covering accident-related expenses not typically included in standard health insurance. 

Are there any SME-specific industries — like construction, logistics, or hospitality — where A&H is especially relevant? 

While industries like construction, logistics, and hospitality may have higher risk profiles, Accident & Health (A&H) insurance is relevant across all industries. Whether a business operates in a high-risk field or a more office-based environment, A&H can provide essential coverage for employees. 

We work with brokers to find tailored solutions for businesses in any industry, ensuring employees are protected in the event of accidents or injuries, both at work and outside. 

Have you seen growing interest in A&H insurance among SMEs in recent years? What’s driving that? 

Yes, there has been growing interest in A&H insurance among SMEs, driven by: 

1. Rising awareness of employee well-being: Businesses are increasingly focused on providing comprehensive benefits to support the health and safety of their employees. 
2. Changing work environments: With remote and hybrid work becoming more common, companies want to ensure their employees are covered no matter where they work. 
3. Increased travel and business risks: As business travel becomes more frequent, companies need coverage to protect employees during these trips. 
4. Flexibility and affordability: Delta’s tailored solutions, which allow businesses to select coverage that fits their specific needs, make A&H insurance more accessible to SMEs. 

Are there specific trends (like remote work, hybrid travel, or wellness programs) that are reshaping how A&H is packaged for small businesses? 

Yes — evolving workplace trends influence how brokers and insurers approach A&H cover for SMEs. With more employees working remotely or in hybrid arrangements, there’s greater demand for policies beyond traditional 9–5, on-site coverage. 

Business travel is also becoming more varied, with frequent short domestic trips or blended work-leisure travel, requiring flexible Travel insurance options. In parallel, many businesses are placing more emphasis on holistic employee well-being, so benefits like mental health support and optional sickness cover (where available) are becoming more relevant as part of Group or Individual Personal Accident plans. 

Delta’s A&H suite is designed to respond to these trends, allowing brokers to tailor policies that reflect modern working patterns and emerging risks. 

There can be some crossover in what different policies respond to, particularly when it comes to accidental injury, but each product is designed for a specific context: 

• Group Personal Accident (GPA): Focuses on accidental injuries (and optionally illness) for employees, volunteers, or others while working, commuting (if Journey is included), or even 24/7, depending on the coverage selected. 

• Business Travel: Provides broader benefits related to work-related travel, including trip cancellation, baggage loss, travel delays, and overseas emergency medical expenses (for international trips). It also includes accident benefits, but only for incidents that occur during the business trip. 

• Individual Personal Accident (IPA): Works like GPA but for individuals — often sole traders or contractors — with coverage tailored to their unique role and circumstances. 

• Overseas Medical Expenses (Expat/Inpat): Offers ongoing health cover for employees based overseas or inbound to Australia, including major medical treatment and repatriation — areas not covered by Business Travel, which is trip-based. 

The key difference lies in who, where, and when the coverage applies. Delta works with brokers to ensure clients are covered at the right moments without duplication. 

How has the A&H insurance landscape changed in recent years, especially post-pandemic? 

The A&H insurance landscape has evolved significantly due to shifting work environments and employee needs. Post-pandemic, there’s been a greater focus on flexible coverage options, including more comprehensive protection for remote work, international travel, and mental health support. Businesses increasingly recognise the importance of offering a broader range of benefits to support employee well-being, especially in the face of global uncertainty. Delta's tailored solutions allow businesses to provide A&H coverage that meets these new expectations, making it easier for SMEs to offer robust protection to their workforce. 

Have employee expectations changed when it comes to A&H-style benefits?

Yes, employee expectations have evolved significantly, especially in recent years. Employees now seek more comprehensive benefits beyond traditional health insurance, with a stronger emphasis on mental health support, business travel protection, and coverage for a broader range of risks, including remote work and global assignments. There’s also an increasing desire for flexibility in benefits, as many employees value personalised protection tailored to their unique roles and circumstances. Delta’s flexible A&H solutions allow businesses to meet these changing expectations by offering customizable coverage that adapts to individual and organisational needs. 

When speaking with a client, what signals should a broker look for to tell that A&H coverage is worth recommending?

• They have employees who travel for work, even occasionally. Business Travel policies can cover injuries, cancellations, and disruptions. 

• They employ staff in physical roles, such as technicians, field workers, or anyone off-site. GPA can help protect them. 

• They rely on key people – an Individual PA can protect owners or essential team members. 

• They use volunteers or have staff who commute regularly—add-on options like Journey and Voluntary Workers Cover can close the gaps. 

• They have employees based overseas – Overseas Medical Expenses ensures workers abroad can access healthcare and repatriation support. 

Even desk-based companies may benefit, especially when staff travel, participate in external events, or work from different locations. Delta can help you identify and tailor coverage to these risks. 

Disclaimer: The content of this article has been prepared without taking into account the insured’s objectives, financial situation, or needs. In addition, Delta makes no representation as to the accuracy or completeness of the content provided. Please carefully consider the appropriateness of the information, and importantly, review the full policy wording with a broker before making any decisions regarding Delta’s products. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reproduced without Delta’s prior written consent.