For many Nigerian businesses, risk planning still stops at regulatory compliance. Yet, one area where exposure remains high is workplace accidents. Under the portfolio of Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc, the Group Personal Accident (GPA) Policy is designed to address this risk by providing structured protection for employees and organised workgroups against the financial consequences of accidental injury, disablement, or death arising in the course of work.
The GPA policy is one of the accident-related policy categories offered by Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc, created to support employers, associations, and project-based organisations operating in environments where physical risk is unavoidable. Rather than being an abstract safety net, it functions as a practical risk-transfer mechanism that helps businesses maintain stability when accidents occur.
The Group Personal Accident (GPA) policy provides benefits to a defined group of persons—employees, subcontractors, or association members—who are exposed to accidental risks. Coverage typically includes compensation for accidental death, permanent total or partial disability, temporary disablement, and associated medical expenses, subject to policy terms.
By pooling risk across a group and placing premium responsibility on the organisation, the GPA policy allows businesses to protect their workforce without burdening individual workers. It is particularly relevant in sectors such as construction, manufacturing, logistics, transport, and utilities, where accidents can occur despite safety measures.
Despite the relevance of such policies, adoption remains low. Industry data show that only about 3 per cent of Nigerian adults have any form of insurance cover, while employer-provided group accident protection reaches just 0.3 per cent of the adult population. The General Accident class—which includes GPA policies—accounts for only 6.7 per cent of total non-life insurance premiums, even as Nigeria’s workforce continues to expand and occupational exposure increases.
This gap suggests that many businesses are still operating without structured financial protection against accident-related disruptions—leaving them vulnerable to sudden costs, project delays, and reputational damage.
Safety rules and compliance frameworks reduce risk, but they do not eliminate accidents. When incidents occur, the consequences can be immediate and expensive: medical bills, compensation claims, legal exposure, work stoppages, and strained stakeholder relations.
This is where the GPA policy moves beyond compliance and into business continuity. By transferring accident-related liabilities to the insurer, organisations preserve cash flow, protect project timelines, and demonstrate responsible governance.
This approach proved critical for Magnum Heights Ltd, a Lagos-based residential real estate developer. In early 2023, management identified on-site accidents involving workers and subcontractors as a key operational risk and opted for the Group Personal Accident policy under Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc.
That decision paid off in September 2024, when a scaffolding failure at one of the company’s sites led to a subcontractor sustaining multiple fractures and requiring prolonged hospitalisation. Without cover, the incident could have triggered significant financial strain and project delays.
Instead, the GPA policy responded. Medical expenses and compensation were covered, allowing operations to continue without disruption. Funds were not diverted from other projects, timelines were preserved, and reputational exposure was minimised as the injured worker and his family received prompt support.
The effectiveness of any policy lies in claims settlement. Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc’s performance in this area reinforces confidence in its accident-related policies. The company has paid ₦34.54 billion in claims, with ₦1.83 billion arising from the General Accident category, reflecting both the reality of accident risk and the insurer’s capacity to respond when needed.
Information, Access and Engagement
Beyond policy design and claims settlement, Mutual Benefits continues to drive awareness and engagement through its official website (www.mutualng.com) and its active presence across digital and social media platforms. These channels provide businesses and the public with access to product information, guidance, and updates on claims and service delivery.