Traumatic Injury Protection Under Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (TSGLI)

Coverage

The Traumatic Injury Protection Under Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (TSGLI) program provides automatic traumatic injury coverage to all members of the uniformed services covered under the Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI) program.

Effective December 1, 2005, every member who has SGLI also has TSGLI.  This coverage applies to active duty members, reservists, funeral honors duty, and one-day muster duty.  TSGLI coverage cannot be declined unless the member also declines basic SGLI coverage.

This TSGLI coverage does not apply to spouses and children covered under Family SGLI or to members who do not carry SGLI coverage.

Coverage Amount

For members who incur traumatic injuries, TSGLI coverage will pay a benefit ranging from $25,000 to a maximum of $100,000 depending on the type of loss or injury.

Premiums

The premium for TSGLI will be a flat rate, regardless of coverage level.  The table below outlines current rates for various categories of SGLI coverage:

These rates are determined by VA and are subject to change based on claims experience.

Injuries Covered

TSGLI covers a range of traumatic injuries that are defined in VA regulations.  Some examples of the types of injuries covered are listed below:

• Total and permanent loss of sight in one or both eyes
• Loss of hand or foot by severance at or above the wrist or ankle
• Total and permanent loss of hearing in one or both ears
• Loss of thumb and index finger of the same hand by severance at or above the metacarpophalangeal joints
• Quadriplegia, paraplegia, or hemiplegia
• 3rd degree or worse burns covering 30 percent of the body or 30 percent of the face
• Coma or the inability to carry out two of the six activities of daily living due to traumatic brain injury

The above list contains examples of covered injuries and should not be considered as a complete list.

Members who suffered a qualifying loss, on or after October 7, 2001 through November 30, 2005, as a direct result of injuries incurred in Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom are also eligible for the traumatic injury protection benefit.

Apply

Eligible members will be contacted by the individual services to apply for the traumatic injury protection benefit.  However, members can also contact their individual services to obtain more information and begin the certification process.