Everyone knows how painful and difficult injuries can be to recover from, but they might not know as much about the costs that can come with getting seriously hurt. While health insurance may cover some of the initial costs of treating an injury, other, other expenses can also come with injuries that might be outside of the scope of a health insurance plan. Accident insurance can help pay for some of the costs that might accompany an injury, and so getting it as a supplemental policy could help some people when they least expect it. Let’s examine some costs that some people might not consider when they get hurt and how accident insurance could help pay for them.
Hospital bills
Hospital bills are often the first cost associated with an injury, but the extent of these costs might alarm some people. The average costs for a three-day stint in the hospital are around $30,000, and although some people have insurance that can pay for some of that, others may not.1 Plus, even if a patient has insurance, they might have to pay a high deductible before their insurance kicks in. Accident insurance could help supplement primary health insurance costs and assist patients with paying for their deductible.
Ambulance bills
There may be instances where people get hurt and need to call an ambulance, but they may not know how expensive ambulance rides can be. A ride in the ambulance can cost over $1,500, which is an expense some people who need the service may not be prepared to pay out-of-pocket.2 Having extra financial protection in the form of accident insurance can give people the confidence to call an ambulance when they need it most after an injury.
Diagnostics
Some injuries may require further testing and scans, some of which can cost thousands of dollars to perform. An MRI, for example, generally costs between $400 and $12,000.3 While everyone wants to find out as much as they can about the state of their injury, they may not be able to pay high expenses to determine their next steps. Opting for accident insurance can be worth it for individuals who want to learn as much as possible about their injuries before continuing treatment and recovery.
Physical and emotional therapy
Injuries can come with long recovery times that can make life difficult emotionally and financially. Many major insurance companies have plans that may cover physical therapy, but others may not, and those plans might have varying extents of how much they’ll cover.4 For those who want to return to their pre-injury physical form without breaking the bank, they might want to opt for a supplementary accident insurance policy so that they can better manage their physical therapy costs if they get hurt.
Some injuries can also be traumatic mentally. While the doctor can help heal bones, soft tissue, and organs, the emotional pain might be more difficult to subdue without seeking professional help. Accident insurance provides direct cash payments can help pay for counseling to help some patients recover mentally from traumatic injuries.
Consider accident insurance to help cover unexpected costs
Treating an injury can be expensive, and sometimes an individual’s primary health insurance won’t cover all of their hospital bills, ambulance trips, diagnostic needs, or therapy sessions. Adding a supplemental accident insurance plan can help individuals prepare to pay costs they may not normally consider for their injuries, potentially keeping them ahead of mounting medical debt.
Sources:
1 People Keep – Infographic: How much does a hospital stay cost? Updated January 18, 2024. https://www.peoplekeep.com/blog/infographic-how-much-does-a-hospital-stay-cost. Accessed August 28, 2025.
2 Care Credit – How Much Does an Ambulance Ride Cost? Published April 11, 2025. https://www.carecredit.com/well-u/health-wellness/ambulance-ride-cost/. Accessed August 28, 2025.
3 Good Rx – How Much Does an MRI Cost? Updated May 1, 2024. https://www.goodrx.com/health-topic/diagnostics/how-much-does-an-mri-cost?srsltid=AfmBOorMVG7nJcuj1-ykIDZ_Q9MFogYAduMqs0xFCTQCkiWzpWwEYD2s. Accessed August 28, 2025.
4 Bull City PT – Do You Use Health Insurance For Physical Therapy? Updated October 6, 2024. https://bullcitypt.com/do-you-use-health-insurance-for-physical-therapy/. Accessed August 28, 2025.
Content within this article is provided for general informational purposes and is not provided as tax, legal, health, or financial advice for any person or for any specific situation. Employers, employees, and other individuals should contact their own advisers about their situations. For complete details, including availability and costs of Aflac insurance, please contact your local Aflac agent.
Aflac coverage is underwritten by American Family Life Assurance Company of Columbus. In New York, Aflac coverage is underwritten by American Family Life Assurance Company of New York.
Aflac life plans – A68000 series: Term Life Policies: In Arkansas, Idaho, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Pennsylvania & Virginia, Policies: ICC1368200, ICC1368300, ICC1368400. In Delaware, Policies A68200, A68300 & A68400. In New York, Policies NY68200, NY68300 and NY68400. Whole Life Policies: In Arkansas, Idaho, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Pennsylvania & Virginia, Policies: ICC1368100. In Delaware, Policy A68100. In New York, Policy NYR68100. B60000 series: In Arkansas, Idaho, Oklahoma & Virginia, Policies: ICC18B60C10, ICC18B60100, ICC18B60200, ICC18B60300, & ICC18B60400. Not available in Delaware. Q60000 series/Whole: In Arkansas & Delaware, Policy Q60100M. In Idaho, Policy Q60100MID. In Oklahoma, Policy Q60100MOK. Not available in Virginia. Q60000 series/Term: In Delaware, Policies Q60200CM. In Arkansas, Idaho, Oklahoma, Policies ICC18Q60200C, ICC18Q60300C, ICC18Q60400C. Not available in Virginia.
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