Broken Leg? Term Plan Pays ₹0. Health Plan Pays Bills. Who Pays Your Salary? The 'TTD' Benefit Explained

🤕 The Gap Between "Alive" and "Working"

It is 2026. Ravi is a freelance IT consultant earning ₹1.5 Lakh per month. He has a ₹1 Crore Term Plan and a ₹20 Lakh Health Plan. He thinks he is fully covered.

One Sunday, he falls off a ladder while cleaning and fractures both legs. He survives (so his Term Plan pays nothing). The hospital bill is ₹2 Lakhs (paid by his Health Plan).
But the doctor orders bed rest for 4 months. He cannot sit at a desk.
His income drops to ZERO.

How does he pay his Home Loan EMI? How does he buy groceries?
Ravi missed the cheapest and most vital rider: Temporary Total Disablement (TTD). For an annual premium roughly the cost of a large pizza, this policy would have paid him a weekly "salary" while he recovered.

TTD is a benefit typically found inside a standalone Personal Accident (PA) Policy.
It is designed to replace your income when an accidental injury leaves you bedridden temporarily.

Broken Leg? Term Plan Pays ₹0.

How TTD Works (The 1% Rule)

Unlike health insurance, TTD gives you Cash in your bank account, not reimbursement for hospital bills.

Feature	Standard 2026 Terms
Payout Amount	Usually 1% of Sum Insured per week.
Maximum Limit	Capped at actual weekly income (as per ITR) or ₹50,000/week.
Duration	Max 100 to 104 weeks (approx. 2 years).

Example: If Ravi had a ₹50 Lakh Personal Accident policy.
Calculation: 1% of ₹50 Lakhs = ₹50,000 per week.
Constraint: Insurers verify his actual income. If his ITR shows he earns ₹35,000/week, the payout is capped at ₹35,000. It replaces, but does not exceed, his salary.

What Counts as Disablement?

This is where claims often get rejected.

• Accident Only: It covers fractures, dislocations, and physical trauma. It does NOT cover illness (like Dengue, Heart Attack, or Viral Fever).
• "Total" Means "Unable to Work": You must be completely unable to perform your primary job duties.
  Example: If a software engineer breaks a leg, insurers might argue he can still work from home. If a field sales agent breaks a leg, TTD is approved because he cannot travel.
• Evidence: In 2026, a simple doctor's note isn't enough. You often need X-rays, treatment records, and sometimes even geotagged photos to prove you are confined to bed.

Why You Can't Rely on Riders

Many people check the "Accident Benefit" box on their Term Plan and think they are safe.
Stop. Most Term Plan riders only cover Death or Permanent Disability (losing a limb/eye). They rarely cover Temporary Disability (TTD) for fractures.
You must buy a Standalone Personal Accident Policy to unlock this specific income replacement feature.

🛡️ Chief Editor’s Verdict

It costs less than a weekend dinner.

1. Premium Cost: A comprehensive ₹25 Lakh Standalone PA policy (covering Death + PTD + TTD) costs roughly ₹2,000 - ₹3,500 per year. It is the highest value-for-money insurance product in India.
2. Who Needs It Most: Freelancers, Gig Workers, Self-Employed, and Salespeople who rely on physical mobility to earn. Salaried employees with limited sick leave also benefit.

Don't let a fracture break your bank account.

Jurisdiction Warning (India Only): This article applies specifically to Indian Insurance Products regulated by IRDAI. US/Global Readers: This concept is similar to "Short-Term Disability Insurance" but terms differ significantly. TTD benefits are subject to policy wordings, exclusions (e.g., self-injury, intoxication), and waiting periods. This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute insurance advice. Always consult a licensed insurance advisor.