Covid survivors buying new insurance cover face exclusions

Covid-19 survivors who are planning to buy new health insurance could face hurdles in future claims if their ailments can be linked to the viral infection. With the coronavirus affecting different organs over time, future complications could be categorised as a ‘pre-existing’ condition by insurance companies.

Insurers cover pre-existing diseases only after a ‘waiting period’, which varies from 2-5 years which is a standard clause in health policies. For example, a person with bronchial asthma and is admitted in the ICU for Covid-19, any lung condition will be endorsed as a ‘pre-existing’.