Abstract: A protective device against side impacts for passengers in an automotive vehicle comprises at least one inflatable airbag which in its folded state is arranged behind at least one A column covering and whose interior communicates with a gas generator. To provide a sufficiently stable covering while permitting an unobstructed exiting of the airbag to protect a passenger, the A column covering is manufactured from a material particularly resistant to bending and has a pivot line (6) which extends substantially in the longitudinal direction of the A column and around which at least one covering section of the A column covering can be pivoted to release an outlet gap for the airbag relative to the A column in the direction of the passenger compartment.