Acca insurance explained: How it works and which betting sites offer it?

Acca insurance covers an accumulator bet and means that if a qualifying acca bet is let down by just one leg, the bettor’s stake is returned, usually as a free bet.Sometimes, refunds are paid out in cash by the best betting sites, rather than free bet tokens.It’s a useful betting tool and for those learning how to bet on sport, The Standard has taken an in-depth look at how it works, when an accumulator might not qualify and which online bookmakers offer acca insurance.Read MoreAcca insurance: How does it work?It is important to note that if you are placing an accumulator bet with acca insurance, in order to qualify, only one leg of the multiple is allowed to lose. A second losing leg ends the acca and voids the insurance offer.For example, as per our guide to football accumulator bets, if a bettor places a fivefold accumulator with acca insurance, exactly four legs must win and one leg must lose in order to get the stake returned as cash or a free bet. If one selection loses, all the remaining legs of the acca must win for the refund to apply. Free bet tokens are usually awarded rather than straight withdrawable cash returns as part of the acca insurance promo.Accumulator lovers should also note that a void leg is usually handled separately from a losing leg and terms and conditions should be checked regarding void bets in an acca insurance promo as they differ on the best football betting sites. The refund from the accumulator insurance typically settles after completion of the final leg of the acca.Which bookmakers offer acca insurance?Several bookmakers used to offer accumulator insurance, including William Hill, Paddy Power and Betfair, but have dropped the promotion over time. Acca insurance is now available at just two online bookmakers.BoyleSports: 5+ legs, each at 1/5 or bigger. If one leg loses, up to £20 back as a free bet. Covers about 40 sports (football, tennis, basketball, darts, golf, cricket, rugby union and league, snooker, boxing, UFC, NFL, baseball, ice hockey, motorsport) but horse racing is excluded.Ladbrokes: football only, 5+ legs, each at 1/10 or bigger, combined odds at least 3/1. Up to £10 free bet on the first qualifying acca each day.How to qualify for acca insuranceHow online bookmakers work when it comes to accumulator insurance is that there will be specific requirements in place that must be met for the acca bet to qualify. A minimum number of legs, minimum combined betting odds, and minimum stake usually apply, and these criteria can be found in the terms and conditions of the promo itself.Qualifying acca insurance bets are typically restricted by sport or market, so, for example, while placing a fourfold bet on the result of four football matches might qualify for acca insurance, placing a multiple across a range of sports may not qualify for the offer.The terms for accumulator bets with insurance usually dictate a minimum price threshold for each leg of the multiple and/or the total price. These prices can be a little larger than what an avid bettor would deem to be “safe” for a normal acca.Another thing to note if you fancy an acca bet is if acca insurance applies to the platform used to bet, be it desktop, a mobile device, or a betting app specifically, as sometimes the promo applies to one version only.Steps to avoid acca insurance disqualificationMost accumulators placed by bettors fall outside the qualifying bracket for acca insurance as bettors like to take the shortest prices possible for the best chance of a winning acca. This is why the minimum odds requirement is built into the terms of accumulator insurance promos. Other factors that disqualify accas from a refund include cashing out bets, which means punters settle the acca all the legs have finished. Bets placed via bonus credit or free bet tokens generally do not qualify for acca insurance either. This is especially important to know for new account holders who are working through a welcome bonus.Bettors should also be aware that the maximum free bet or cash refund via acca insurance is capped, so if you are staking higher on multiple bets, only a fixed amount of your total stake will be returned.Acca insurance vs bet builder and other acca promotionsAcca insurance differs from an odds boost or a price boost. An acca boost changes the price a bettor is offered before a bet is placed. This is often done by adding a percentage boost, like 30%, to winnings from an accumulator bet.Bet builders also come into the equation. This bet type is where a punter combines multiple selections from a single match or event into one wager. The selections in Bet Builders are often correlated rather than mutually exclusive, and therefore the odds on specific selections are reduced to allow for this.Many bookmakers now offer bet builder insurance, giving punters their stake back as a free bet if their wager does win. These bet builder refunds have replaced many acca insurance offers because the bookmaker’s overround on bet builders is generally higher than on accas.What to know about acca insurance offersThe margin on every leg in an acca is multiplied, and as the odds are typically in favour of the bookie, it is why the bookmaker's margin makes this a cheap offer to run. An accumulator bet is already the bookie’s best-value product, which is the reason the acca insurance offer exists. Most bettors do not know that the difference in probabilities between, for example, getting all five selections up, against a winning combo of any four from five, can be very large. If a bettor loses just one leg of an acca insurance multiple, they typically think they were close, possibly enticing them in to place another acca bet. This is also why money is refunded as a free bet token rather than withdrawable cash, as it means the bettor must place another bet.Although it may sound like there are a lot of hidden T&Cs surrounding promos and bets like acca insurance, acca boosts and bet builders, these conditions are legitimate and it is up to the punter to decide whether to place a wager.Read MoreResponsible gamblingBettors are reminded to always gamble responsibly by using the safer gambling tools available on UK betting sites.We also recommend setting a budget, taking regular breaks, and not chasing losses when gambling.Betting should only be viewed as a source of entertainment, never as a way to generate income.The following services offer free, confidential support to those who want to talk about their gambling: GambleAwareGamCareGamblers AnonymousNHS gambling support Acca insurance FAQsWhat does acca insurance mean?Acca insurance refers to a promotion on multiples that returns a stake in either free bets or cash when one leg of a qualifying accumulator fails to win. The meaning of acca insurance does not refer to a bet type and does not change the price of the accumulator; it only affects what happens if it loses on a single leg. Does acca insurance offer a cash refund?Refunds from acca insurance usually come in the form of a free bet rather than cash, and the free bet typically has to be used within a stated period before it expires. Selected operators may pay a cash refund, so it is worth checking before choosing where to place an accumulator bet. Can I cash out an acca and still get the refund?No, if you cash out a multiple bet that qualified for acca insurance, you end the promo as there is no potential for a losing leg left. To use the acca insurance promo in full, bettors need to let the whole acca bet play out.Does taking acca insurance cost me a better price?Taking acca insurance does not change the price of the accumulator itself, as an acca boost or price boost promo would. The acca insurance offer is funded by the compound interest effect via the betting margin on the legs of the acca. Conditions are typically set to limit how often the offer pays. We aim to offer every online gambler and reader of The Standard a safe and fair platform through unbiased reviews and offers from the UK's best online gambling companies.Gambling can be addictive, always play responsibly and only bet what you can afford to lose. Gambling sites have a number of tools to assist you to stay in control, including deposit limits and time outs. If you think you have a problem, advice and support is available for you now from BeGambleAware or Gamcare.Any offers or odds listed in this article are correct at the time of publication but are subject to change. Terms & Conditions apply to all offers.