Does ZIKA Virus being covered by your insurance company? (Sept 2016)

We can't 100% eliminate the risk of getting ZIKA virus, but the contagious virus infection is hitting right on our shore lately. Although only a few cases being reported in Malaysia as to date, we can't deny that the virus can spread very fast nationwide within a short span of time. Does your insurance cover you if we unfortunately infected by the virus?

The popular question in town...

Spread by this deadly Aedes mosquitoes, it brings with it the contagious dengue bacteria and also Zika virus now. The symptoms are very similar for both. People with Zika virus disease can have symptoms including mild fever, skin rash, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain, malaise or a headache. These symptoms normally last for 2-7 days. There is a scientific consensus that Zika virus is a cause of microcephaly and Guillain-Barré syndrome. Links to other neurological complications are also being investigated.

Covered by insurance?

Finance Malaysia Blog took the initiative to get the answer from a few insurance companies. Generally, hospitalization due to Zika virus is cover by life insurance companies. Below is the reply from AIA for your information:

Meanwhile, Prudential also stated that:

"We will cover the hospitalization expenses arising from the Zika virus across all our medical plans. Please note that the usual waiting period of 30 days after the policy commencement will still apply, and hospitalisation primarily for investigatory and diagnostic purposes will not be covered. 

With reference to the general exclusion where a “communicable disease requires quarantine by law” provided under the PRUhealth, PRUflexi med and PRUvalue med policies, the Company remains committed in covering Zika even if at any point of time the disease is declared as a communicable disease which requires quarantine by law.

Similarly, this extension of coverage will also apply to Group H&S and PRUmajor med series. Furthermore, in the unfortunate event of death or TPD due to Zika virus, it will be payable as long as the definitions in the policy contract are met."

As you may notice, the Personal Accident (PA) policies are extended to covers Zika virus infection (same coverage as dengue infection). Another insurance company, Allianz General also mentioned that they will extend the cover to medical expenses incur due to Zika infection under their Allianz Shield PA plan.

How about travel insurance?

Generally, if the travel trip was canceled by you voluntarily due to scared of Zika virus infection, it was not covered and cannot be claimed under 'trip cancellation'.

We will update here if there is more info being given by various insurance companies. Please consult with your insurance company if needed. This only serves as a general public info. Thanks.