One in four accident victims felt pressure to return to work early as they needed the income while one in five have been forced to alter their daily routines, according to research from National Friendly.
In spite of these challenges, only 17% of people claimed on insurance products such as income protection (IP), rising to 22% among under-35s.
The insurer’s Bruised Britain report which surveyed 2,000 UK adults found almost a third (29%) of those polled have had at least one accident in the last three years.
And it revealed the severity of the financial strain which it can put people under.
It further found a fifth (20%) had to change their daily routines and over half (57%) of workers had to take unplanned leave from work, averaging 11.5 days.
One in four (24%) felt pressure to return to work early as they needed the income
Almost one in five (15%) experiencing an accident in the past three years now live with a long-term disability or health condition as a result, rising to 23% of under-35s, according to the study.
But the research also found that over a fifth (22%) of adults had at least one accident in the last year, increasing to 32% of under-35s.
And around 8% of adults reported three or more accidents in the past 12 months.
Physical impact of accidents
The research also revealed the types of injuries suffered:
- Bruising: 35%
- Grazes: 21%
- Sprained muscles: 21%
- Broken bones: 13%
- Loss of hearing or sight (under-35s): 12%
- Whiplash or concussion: 9%
Additionally, 20% of injured individuals had to change or adapt their daily routines, and over half (57%) of workers had to take unplanned time off work, rising to 71% among under-35s.
Injured individuals took an average of 11.5 days off (rising to 13.3 days for women).
Financial strain following an accident
The report reveals the financial impact of accidents has been significant:
- 24% felt pressure to return to work early as they needed the income and 16% felt pressured to go back earlier than planned as they didn’t want to risk losing their job,
- 21% dipped into savings (32% of men vs 12% women), and 12% borrowed money,
- 7% had to change how they worked, with some moving to remote or flexible arrangements,
- 3% had to give up work entirely, and 3% lost their jobs.
In spite of these challenges, only 17% of people claimed on insurance products such as income protection (IP), rising to 22% among under-35s.
Furthermore, 7% had to stay in hospital or have an operation and 14% could not drive their car or ride their bike as a result of their accident, highlighting the impact of how an accident can impact daily routines.
Graham Singleton, CEO of National Friendly, (pictured) said: “Our Bruised Britain research highlights how common accidents are but also how life-changing they can be, both physically and financially.
“Too many people are left struggling without a safety net and are either pressured to return to work before they are necessarily ready to or are forced to dip into savings or take on debt.”
Amanda Wilson, director at The Right Mortgage Network, added: “The reality is that accidents can, and do, happen to anyone, and the statistics from National Friendly’s Bruised Britain research are a stark reminder of the potential impact.
“As advisers, we see first hand how clients struggle when unexpected injuries disrupt their income.“