Hawaii Insurance License Practice Exam

Which of the following is considered a personal injury?

1. Car accident claims

2. Emotional distress claims

3. Property damage

4. Uninsured motorist claims

The correct answer is: Emotional distress claims

Personal injury refers to an injury that affects a person's emotional or physical well-being, rather than damage to property. Emotional distress claims fall under this category, as they address the psychological impact or pain suffered by an individual as a result of someone else's actions. This can include anxiety, depression, or other emotional trauma triggered by an incident. On the other hand, car accident claims typically involve physical injuries or damage to a vehicle, which would not be classified solely as personal injury without considering the accompanying emotional distress or physical harm. Property damage is clearly focused on physical items rather than the individual’s well-being, and uninsured motorist claims primarily deal with the financial compensation related to accidents where the other party lacks insurance, which does not directly qualify as personal injury. Thus, emotional distress claims are indeed recognized as personal injuries because they directly pertain to an individual's mental and emotional state.