Will your insurance in Malaysia cover the Wuhan Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) and other influenza-like outbreaks? What are the risks you face? What can you do about it?

Updated: Feb 2, 2020

What is the Wuhan Coronavirus?

Coronaviruses are a large group of viruses that are common among animals. In rare cases, the coronovirus can be transmitted to humans, which is believed to have happened from eating infected animals like bats. It causes a moderate upper repository tract illness (URTI) that can be especially fatal to the elderly, young children, pregnant women, and those with a lowered immune system. The Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) a.k.a. the Wuhan Coronavirus is believed to have started in Wuhan, China in December 2019 through an animal to human infection.

  • Symptoms: runny nose, cough, sore throat, fever, headache, pneumonia
  • Mortality rate: 10%
  • Incubation period: 2 weeks (at time of writing, it is believed that patients are infectious even during incubation period; before symptoms show)
  • Spreads: Contact with oral secretions from infected person, i.e. coughing, sneezing, touching something infected person has touched followed by your own mouth, nose or eyes
  • Prevention: wearing surgical masks, avoiding sick people, washing hands thoroughly, disinfecting area affected by coughing and sneezing
  • Previous coronaviruses: Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS, 2003), Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS, 2012)

Total Confirmed Wuhan Coronavirus Cases (as of Feb 2, 2020)

  • 14,451 Mainland China
  • 20 Japan
  • 19 Thailand
  • 18 Singapore
  • 15 South Korea
  • 14 Hong Kong
  • 12 Australia
  • 10 Taiwan
  • 8 Germany
  • 8 Macau
  • 8 US
  • 8 Malaysia
  • 6 France
  • 6 Vietnam
  • 5 United Arab Emirates
  • 4 Canada
  • 2 Italy
  • 2 Russia
  • 2 Philippines
  • 2 India
  • 2 UK
  • 1 Nepal
  • 1 Cambodia
  • 1 Spain
  • 1 Finland
  • 1 Sweden
  • 1 Sri Lanka
  • Total: 14,628

Total Deaths: 305

Total Recovered: 348

What Does Your Insurance Cover?

The Wuhan Coronavirus is a upper repository tract illness which is basically a lungs-related illness. If you are hospitalised, then you can claim under medical insurance for hospitalisation, pre-hospitalisation and post-hospitalisation. A few life insurance companies in Malaysia have also come out to state that the Coronavirus will be covered under medical insurance.

However, if the Coronavirus is designated as an epidemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) and recognised as such by the Malaysian government, your medical insurance policy may not cover epidemics. This is applicable for life insurance policies with medical riders, standalone medical insurance, and travel insurance.

Exclusions: Epidemic or pandemic as declared by the World Health Organization

Epidemic: a disease outbreak that spreads quickly affecting many people rapidly

Pandemic: when an epidemic spreads globally.

Life Insurance Association of Malaysia (LIAM) member companies will cover the hospitalisation and treatment of the Novel Coronavirus even if under exclusion.

“Even though a majority of the medical policies or certificates carry an exclusion on communicable disease requiring quarantine by law, Malaysian life insurers and takaful operators are responding to an immediate need of the nation by waiving the exclusion of quarantine by law in light of the increasing number of people who have been affected,” Mark O’ Dell, LIAM CEO

LIAM Members

  1. AIA
  2. Allianz Life
  3. AmMet Life
  4. AXA Affin Life
  5. Etiqa Life
  6. Gibraltar BSN Life
  7. Great Eastern Life
  8. Hannover Rueck (reinsurer)
  9. Hong Leong Assurance
  10. Manulife Insurance
  11. Malaysian Life Reassurance (reinsurer)
  12. MCIS Insurance
  13. Prudential Assurance
  14. Sun Life Malaysia
  15. Tokio Marine Life
  16. Zurich Life

 

Coverage Specific Info

Critical illnesses coverage will payout as per your insurance policy critical illness coverage if applicable.

If death occurs i.e. lung failure, the death benefit will be paid out.

 

What You Can Do

  1. Check the terms and conditions in your insurance policy whether there is an exclusion for epidemic, pandemic, or outbreak of infectious disease.
  2. Make sure you have adequate insurance coverage that will provide coverage/payout in case anything untoward happens.
  3. Avoid traveling to places which are at risk or public places with many travelers. If really necessary to travel, do put on a good quality surgical mask and wash your hands often.
  4. If you are sick or in the at-risk groups, stay home and avoid traveling altogether.
  5. Consider getting a flu shot or flu vaccine to reduce the risk of flu and to alleviate diagnosis/fears.
  6. Do not spread fake news irresponsibly about the Wuhan Coronavirus.
  7. If suspected of the Coronavirus do visit one of the MoH designated hospitals and avoid socializing to prevent infecting others.

26 hospitals nationwide that will serve as referral hospitals in handling cases of patients under investigation (PUI) and those confirmed with the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV)

 

FAQ

Q: Does my insurance policy take effect during the initial stages where it is suspected but unconfirmed to be the Wuhan Coronavirus?
A: No, your insurance policy will not take effect until it is confirmed. Once confirmed, your insurance may cover pre-hospitalisation.

Q: Does my travel insurance cover flight cancellation due to the Wuhan Coronavirus?
A: Most travel insurance are not covering flight cancellation (do check with your policy terms & conditions). However, a number of airlines and hotels are cancelling flights and stays and refunding to travelers.

 

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