Saral Suraksha Bima: What Is It and Who Should Buy?

Overview

Saral Suraksha Bima is a standardized personal accident insurance policy mandated by IRDAI for all general and health insurers in India to be offered from April 1, 2021. It provides financial protection against unexpected accidental death or disability. The plan covers accidental death, Permanent Total Disablement (PTD), and Permanent Partial Disablement (PPD), with optional add-ons like temporary total disablement, hospitalization expenses, and an education grant.

The sum insured ranges from ₹2.5 lakh to ₹1 crore, in multiples of ₹50,000. A 28-year-old pays approximately ₹3,026 a year for a ₹25 lakh cover under this plan. Ditto also rates Saral Suraksha Bima as a solid entry-level accident plan, evaluated on coverage uniformity, add-on flexibility, and value for price.

This guide discusses whether it’s worth seeking protection against accidental death or disability.

Accidents are unpredictable, and even a minor mishap can lead to medical expenses, temporary loss of income, or long-term financial stress for your family. Saral Suraksha Bima is a simple, IRDAI-standardized personal accident policy that offers financial protection against these incidents.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through what the policy covers, its eligibility criteria, key features, and how to buy it.

What is Saral Suraksha Bima?

Saral Suraksha Bima is a standardized personal accident insurance plan introduced by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) to simplify and standardize accident coverage across all insurers. The idea is simple: no matter which insurer you choose, the benefits, features, and terms remain the same. Only the premiums may vary.

This plan provides financial protection in case of accidental injuries or death, ensuring that families are not left burdened during difficult times.

CTA

Did You Know?

While the IRDAI mandates Saral Suraksha Bima, there might be variations in pricing, insurer service quality, and any additional add-ons offered with the plan. Beyond this, insurers also offer their own flagship personal accident plans, which are more comprehensive and customizable. For instance, HDFC Ergo has Saral Suraksha Bima and its own individual personal accident plan.

Coverage, Benefits, and Key Features

Mandatory Base Covers

Accidental Death: Pays 100% of the sum insured if the policyholder dies within 12 months of an accident.
Permanent Total Disablement (PTD): Provides a full payout for severe, life-altering disabilities such as loss of both eyes, both hands, both feet, or a combination of one eye and one limb. It also covers permanent inability to work.
Permanent Partial Disablement (PPD): Pays a proportionate percentage of the sum insured depending on the body part affected. Examples include a 50% payout for loss of a hand, foot, or eye.

Additional Benefits and Key Features

Cumulative Bonus: For each claim-free year, the sum insured increases by 5%, up to a maximum of 50%. In the event of a claim, the accumulated cumulative bonus is reduced by 5% of the base sum insured.
Optional Add-ons: You can enhance your protection with optional covers that cater to specific needs:
- Temporary Total Disablement (TTD): Provides a weekly income of 0.2% of the sum insured for up to 100 weeks if you are temporarily unable to work due to an accident. The benefit applies only if the disability continues for more than four consecutive weeks, but once eligible, it is paid from the date of the accident, not just from the fifth week onward.
- Accidental Hospitalization Expenses: Reimburses up to 10% of the sum insured, covering room rent, ICU charges, doctor fees, surgery, medicines, prosthetics, Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy (AYUSH) treatments, daycare procedures, dental care, plastic surgery, and ambulance charges up to ₹2,000 per hospitalization.
- Education Grant: Offers a one-time payment of 10% of the base sum insured per dependent child, up to 25 years of age, if the policyholder suffers accidental death or Permanent Total Disablement (PTD). This ensures your child’s education is not disrupted in challenging times.

Premium, Eligibility, and How to Buy

Premiums (Illustrative)

Here is the rate chart for HDFC Ergo’s Saral Suraksha Bima.

"Per mille" = per ₹1,000 of sum insured. So, here’s the calculation:

Premium = (Sum Insured ÷ 1,000) × Rate

Now, let’s consider two profiles with full premium breakdowns (excluding GST):

Profile 1: Age 28, IT Professional

Base Sum Insured: ₹25,00,000 | Hospitalization Sum Insured: ₹5,00,000

Cover	Calculation	Premium (₹)
Accidental Death	2,500 × 0.57	1,425
Permanent Disablement	2,500 × 0.34	850
Base Subtotal	-	2,275
Cumulative Bonus Loading	4.76% × 2,275	108
Total Temporary Disablement	2,500 × 0.087	218
Education Grant	2,500 × 0.08	200
Hospitalization (Accident)	500 × 0.45	225
Total Annual Premium	-	3,026

Profile 2: Age 40, Small Business Owner

Base Sum Insured: ₹50,00,000 | Hospitalization Sum Insured: ₹8,00,000

Cover	Calculation	Premium (₹)
Accidental Death	5,000 × 0.57	2,850
Permanent Disablement	5,000 × 0.34	1,700
Base Subtotal	-	4,550
Cumulative Bonus Loading	4.76% × 4,550	217
Total Temporary Disablement	5,000 × 0.087	435
Education Grant	5,000 × 0.08	400
Hospitalization (Accident)	800 × 0.34	272
Total Annual Premium	-	5,874

Note: The loading added in the calculation covers HDFC Ergo's cost of providing the cumulative bonus benefit. This increases your sum insured each year you remain claim-free at no additional charge.

Eligibility Criteria for Saral Suraksha Bima

Age of Policyholder: Individuals aged 18 to 70 years can buy Saral Suraksha Bima. Some insurers may extend the upper age limit if required.
Dependent Children: Dependent children aged 3 months to 25 years can be covered, provided they are full-time students.
Family Members Covered: The policy can cover the proposer, spouse, parents, parents-in-law, and dependent children.
Policy Tenure: The policy is valid for 1 year and can be renewed annually for continued protection.
Sum Insured: The sum insured ranges from ₹2.5 lakh to ₹1 crore and is available in multiples of ₹50,000.
Premium Payment Options: Premiums can be paid annually, half-yearly, quarterly, or monthly. Some insurers may also allow electronic clearing service (ECS) or auto-debit payments.
Grace Period: A grace period of 15 days is available for monthly premium payments, while 30 days is available for all other premium payment modes.
Suitable For: Families looking for standard personal accident cover with protection for key family members under a single policy.

How to Buy Saral Suraksha Bima

You can buy the policy through all general and standalone health insurers in the following ways:

Portal	Details
Physical Purchase	At Point of Sale (POS) locations
Government Access Points	At Common Service Centers (CSCs)
Online Portals	Through the insurer’s website

The buying process is straightforward:

Submit your personal details to the insurer.
Choose your sum insured and any optional add-ons, such as TTD, hospitalization, or an education grant.
Make the premium payment, either digitally or offline.
Receive your policy document immediately, either in digital or physical format.

Note: These premiums are publicly disclosed, allowing you to compare different insurers and select the plan that best meets your needs.

Key Points to Remember

At the time of purchase, insurers must provide a Customer Information Sheet (CIS) that summarizes policy details and explains coverage in a simple format. Most insurers determine Saral Suraksha Bima premiums based on factors such as the insured's age, the chosen sum insured, and selected add-ons.

Saral Suraksha Bima vs Other Accident Plans: Is It Enough?

Factor	Saral Suraksha Bima	Other Personal Accident Plans
Coverage Structure	Standardized coverage across insurers	Coverage varies by insurer and plan
Base Benefits	Covers accidental death, permanent total disablement, and permanent partial disablement	Usually covers accidental death and disability, with broader benefit options
Optional Benefits	May include TTD, hospitalization expenses, and an education grant	May offer broader add-ons like fracture cover, burns cover, loan protection, lifestyle support, and higher income benefits
Customization	Limited customization	More flexible and customizable
Sum Insured	₹2.5 lakh to ₹1 crore	May offer higher coverage, depending on the insurer
Best Suited For	First-time buyers looking for a simple accident policy	People looking for broader, more comprehensive accident protection

Takeaway: Saral Suraksha Bima is a good entry-level personal accident policy if you want simple and standardized coverage. However, if your income, loans, or family responsibilities are high, you may need a more comprehensive accident plan with stronger add-ons and higher coverage.

Why Choose Ditto for Insurance?

At Ditto, we’ve assisted over 8,00,000 customers with choosing the right insurance policy. Why customers like Vijay below love us:

No-Spam & No Salesmen
Rated 4.9/5 on Google Reviews by 15,000+ happy customers
Backed by Zerodha
Dedicated Claim Support Team
100% Free Consultation

You can book a FREE consultation. Slots are running out, so make sure you book a call now or chat with us on WhatsApp!

Conclusion

Saral Suraksha Bima remains a simple, easy-to-understand, and accessible choice that provides financial stability in the event of unforeseen accidents. But before buying a personal accident policy, you should ideally secure the basics first:

Term insurance already covers accidental deaths.
Health insurance also covers hospitalization expenses related to accidents.

However, these two products may not fully cover accident-related financial gaps such as loss of income, ongoing EMIs, lifestyle expenses, or the financial impact of temporary or partial permanent disability. That is where a personal accident policy like Saral Suraksha Bima comes in.

Our take? Always treat it as a secondary cover, taken after you understand what your term and health insurance plans do not cover.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Saral Suraksha Bima Yojana, and is it mandatory?

The Saral Suraksha Bima is a personal accident health insurance policy offered by both general and health insurers in India. It was introduced to provide a uniform offering with identical features across the industry, making it easier for consumers to understand their coverage without complex jargon. While individuals don't need to buy it, every insurance company must offer it as a basic protection tool. This was made compulsory by the IRDAI from April 1, 2021. The policy offers a simplified structure for accidental death and disability benefits.

How much cover can I get in Saral Suraksha Bima Yojana?

The sum insured for a Saral Suraksha Bima policy is highly flexible, allowing it to suit different income levels. It starts from a minimum of ₹2.5 lakh and goes up to a maximum of ₹1 crore. Policyholders can choose their coverage amount in multiples of ₹50,000 within this range. This standardization ensures that whether you buy from a private or public insurer, the basic coverage limits remain consistent. Most insurers determine the final premium based on factors such as the chosen sum insured and the applicant's age.

Who is eligible for the Saral Suraksha Bima personal accident policy?

Eligibility for this standard accident plan is broad to ensure wide accessibility. Any individual aged 18 to 70 can purchase the policy as a proposer. Additionally, dependent children can be covered from 3 months of age up to 25 years, provided they are full-time students. The plan allows family coverage for the spouse, parents, and parents-in-law. This makes it a comprehensive entry-level option for families seeking financial stability against unforeseen accidents under a single unified policy.

What is the cumulative bonus in Saral Suraksha Bima?

The cumulative bonus is a reward for policyholders who do not file a claim during their policy year. For every claim-free year, the sum insured increases by 5% without any additional premium cost. This bonus can accumulate up to a maximum of 50% of the original sum insured. However, if a claim is made, the accumulated bonus is reduced by 5% in the subsequent year. This feature encourages long-term policy retention and provides extra value to cautious individuals over time.

Does Saral Suraksha Bima cover hospital bills?

Hospitalization expenses are not part of the mandatory base cover but are available as an optional add-on. If you choose this rider, the policy will reimburse medical expenses incurred due to an accident up to 10% of the base sum insured. This covers room rent, ICU charges, surgery, medicines, and even ambulance charges up to ₹2,000 per hospitalization. It also includes AYUSH treatments and daycare procedures. This add-on is useful for managing the immediate medical costs that often follow an accidental injury.

What is the difference between Saral Suraksha Bima and an accidental add-on in a term insurance plan?

Saral Suraksha Bima is a standalone personal accident policy with base covers for accidental death, permanent total or partial disability, and optional add-ons like TTD or education grants. An accidental add-on on a term plan only covers accident-related death or total disability and usually does not include weekly income, hospitalization, or education benefits. Also, Saral Suraksha Bima can be bought even if you do not have a term plan, while an accidental add-on is linked to the base term insurance policy and ends when it ends.

What is the education grant?

The education grant is an optional add-on designed to protect a child’s future after a parent's accident. If the policyholder suffers accidental death or permanent total disability, the insurer provides a one-time payment. This payment equals 10% of the base sum insured per dependent child, up to the age of 25. For instance, on a ₹50 lakh policy, each child would receive ₹5 lakh to support their schooling. This specific benefit ensures that educational goals are not derailed by the sudden loss of the family's primary earner.

How to calculate Saral Suraksha Bima premiums?

Premiums for Saral Suraksha Bima are calculated using a "per mille" rate, which means the cost per ₹1,000 of the sum insured. The basic formula is (Sum Insured ÷ 1,000) × Rate. For example, HDFC Ergo’s illustrative rate for accidental death is 0.57 per mille. For a ₹25 lakh cover, the base premium for death and disablement would be approximately ₹2,275 plus GST. Adding riders like hospitalization or TTD will increase this total. It remains one of the most affordable ways to secure high-value accidental protection.

What is not covered under Saral Suraksha Bima?

Saral Suraksha Bima does not cover claims arising from specific circumstances or activities as per the IRDAI guidelines on standard personal accident insurance products. These include war, invasion, civil unrest, suicide, intentional self-injury, intoxication, or drug influence, unless it did not directly cause the accident, to name a few. Hospitalization-related exclusions include admissions only for diagnostics, vitamins or supplements taken without a doctor’s prescription, outpatient or domiciliary coverage, treatments received outside India, and non-medical items listed under Annexure-1, such as baby food, telephone charges, gloves, and home-use oxygen cylinders.

Last updated on: 3 May, 2026