The Insurance
Regulatory Authority (IRA) has assured policy holders who test positive for the
COVID-19 Virus, that they will still access medical cover.
IRA has taken
this step following confirmation of the first case of Corona virus case in
Kenya, in Ongata Rongai-Kajiado County.
“Following our engagement with insurance companies, I would like to dispel fears by members of the public that insurance companies will not cater for the needs of those affected or infected by the Corona Virus,” said Mr. Godfrey Kiptum, Chief Executive Officer at IRA.
In a statement issued on Friday last week, Mr Kiptum said this decision had been arrived at in support of the Government’s efforts to deal with the spread of the disease.
It is still unclear how insurance firms will compute premiums to be paid for those infected by the virus or how much these payments will be.
IRA has also not disclosed any punitive measures, if any, will be taken against insurance firms that deny Corona Virus victims medical cover.
In a letter to its clients, dated 13th March, 2020, Pacis Insurance- a medical insurance provider stated that Corona virus is a pandemic.
“It is a general exclusion in the insurance policy and therefore Pacis would not undertake the hospital bills that come with the management of the infection,” said Mrs Jane Ngugi, Medical claims department, Pacis Insurance Company Limited.
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