Saturday August 22, 2009

Insurance firms to cover claims

By SHAUN HO

PETALING JAYA: Insurance companies have decided to allow payouts on claims for treatment, hospitalisation and death as a result of Influenza A(H1N1).

The Life Insurance Association of Malaysia (LIAM) said yesterday that its 16 member companies would honour such claims.

Its president, Md Adnan Md Zain said policyholders could contact their respective insurance companies for further details.

“Even though a majority of medical policies carry exclusions on communicable diseases requiring quarantine by law, life insurers are responding to an immediate need of the nation in light of the increasing number of people who have been infected,” said Md Adnan.

“In the event of any review of this decision on life insurance coverage, the policyholders will be duly informed,” he added.

On Thursday, Depu-ty Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin told insurance companies to explain clearly whether those infect-ed with Influenza A(H1N1) could make claims for treatment, hospitalisation and in the event of death.

Etiqa Insurance Berhad said it would be paying out on claims made by its medical and health plan policyholders if they are hospitalised for A(H1N1).

Great Eastern Life Assurances Berhad and Overseas Assurances Corporation (Malaysia) Berhad also released statements saying their companies would compensate policyholders hospitalised for treatment of the disease.

An ING Malaysia agent said the guidelines on claims varied for different policies but the company generally covered hospitalisation claims for those with the illness.

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