What is Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance Traumatic Injury Protection?

Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI) provides coverage for traumatic injuries sustained by servicemembers. Members who are insured under full-time SGLI are automatically covered by the Traumatic Injury Protection Program (TSGLI). Active duty servicemembers, reservists, National Guard members, funeral honors duty and one-day muster duty members are all covered under TSGLI.

Is There Coverage for Servicemembers Injured Off-Duty?

Servicemembers who have suffered traumatic injuries do not need to have to sustain the injuries while on duty in order to qualify for coverage under TSGLI. Servicemembers injured off-duty are also covered under the program. Members may qualify for coverage for injuries sustained on duty or in combat, or for injuries sustained off duty.

However, in order to qualify for traumatic injury protection payments, service members must meet several requirements, including:

• Be insured under SGLIat the time the traumatic injury is suffered
• Incur a scheduled loss as a direct result of a traumatic injury
• Suffer the loss within two years of the injury
• Suffer the traumatic injury prior to midnight on the servicemember’s final day with the uniformed services.
• Survive for at least seven full days following the date of the traumatic injury

Additionally, service members who incurred severe losses due to traumatic injuries suffered between Oct. 7, 2001, and Nov. 30, 2005, may be retroactively covered, regardless of where their injuries occurred and whether they were fully insured at the time.

What Are Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance Traumatic Injury Protection Costs and Benefits?

The cost for TSGLI is generally a flat rate of $1 per month for most service members, according to Military.com. Payments from the TSLGI program range between $25,000 to $100,000, depending on the extent of injuries suffered. These payouts are meant to alleviate the financial burdens associated with a traumatic injury.

Who Qualifies for TSGLI?

Although many service members injured off-duty or on-duty may qualify for traumatic injury insurance, the U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs (VA) requires that servicemembers file a claim with the government in order to receive these benefits. Additionally, according to a 2009 study from the U.S. Government Accountability Office, fewer than 63 percent of traumatic injury claims are approved by the VA. Many of these denied claims involved injuries that appeared to qualify for benefits.

Qualifying injuries may include:

• Total loss of eyesight
• Total loss of hearing in at least one ear
• Total loss of speech
• Burns
• Paralysis
• Amputation of limbs or digits
• Damage to limbs or genitourinary functions
• Facial reconstruction
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Comas
• Hospitalization due to traumatic injuries

Filing a traumatic injury insurance claim may be difficult. Hiring a qualified attorney may make navigating the legal process and collecting the appropriate documentation easier. Having a qualified attorney on your side may also make it more likely for you to receive compensation from the VA for your traumatic injuries.

Get Help Filing Your TSGLI Claim

If you’re a service member who was injured while on active duty, in the National Guard or on reserve, you may qualify for benefits through the Traumatic Protection Program through the Servicemembers Group Life Insurance.

Fill out the form on this page for more information. 

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