Quarantine-related DIY activities can lead to more accidents, Unum finds

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (July 2, 2020) — New research from employee benefits provider Unum (NYSE: UNM) shows people have picked up new or increased activities that could potentially result in accidents since the coronavirus pandemic began unfolding in March. According to an online survey among 1,003 U.S. adults conducted in June, they’re doing more or much more of the following activities:

• 52% - indoor cleaning, moving furniture, organization
• 44% - yard work or gardening
• 41% - increased exercise and physical activity
• 30% - using power tools or sharp objects
• 21% - climbing ladders

In the same survey, one in ten people (11%) said they’ve had an accident requiring medical attention since March 2020. These numbers were higher among Millennials and Gen Z, 13% and 22%, respectively. Looking back over the previous five years, nearly one in four (24%) people have had an accident requiring medical attention.

Accident insurance provides a financial benefit for qualifying accidents or injuries, which can help ease the financial pressure caused by out-of-pocket expenses. According to Unum claims data over the last five years (2014-2019), the most frequently paid benefits include:

1. Physician follow up
2. Emergency treatment
3. Fracture/dislocation
4. Medical imaging
5. Medical equipment for mobility

“While the dollar amount varies depending on the specific accident coverage, those insured can get anywhere from $50 to a couple hundred dollars for qualifying claims, helping offset co-pays or other out-of-pocket costs often associated with trips to the doctor,” said Ashley Shope, assistant vice president, product and market development for Unum.

According to 2018 data from the National Safety Council, every 10 minutes, 885 Americans suffer an injury severe enough to seek medical help. And even those with health insurance often struggle to pay for bills not covered by their policy. The Kaiser Family Foundation found that three out of four people (75%) with health insurance say the amount they were charged for copays, deductibles or coinsurance was more than they could afford. 

Workers can enroll in accident insurance during annual benefits enrollment, which typically takes place in the fall. For more information about the financial protection benefits of this coverage, visit Unum’s accident insurance page.