Mashak Rakshak Policy To Be Rolled Out On 1 April 2021

The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has issued guidelines stating all general and health insurance companies in India are supposed to offer Mashak Rakshak, a standard vector-borne disease health insurance policy. The policy is supposed to be available starting 1 April 2021.

There are many existing policies that cover vector-borne diseases, but there is a need for the standard vector-borne diseases health policy. Launching this policy before the monsoon season will give people some time to understand the policy’s benefits and opt for it in advance. Since there are no variants of this policy across insurers, the policy’s terms and conditions will remain similar across insurers.

What is the need for such a policy?

During the monsoon, many people fall prey to vector-borne diseases, such as dengue and malaria. Mosquitoes and ticks generally cause these diseases. Also, not everyone can afford the treatment as the treatment cost can range from Rs.25,000 up to Rs.1 lakh or even more. Having a vector-borne diseases health insurance policy can come in handy.

Key features of the standard vector-borne diseases policy

• The policy can be opted as an individual or a floater cover.
• The sum insured can range from Rs.10,000 up to Rs.2 lakh.
• The sum insured can be increased in the multiples of Rs.10,000.
• The tenure of the policy is one year.
• The benefit of the policy is paid as a lump sum on diagnosis.
• Single-premium plans.
• Domestic coverage only.
• The policy terms are simple and easy-to-understand.
• Easy to compare prices across insurers.

Pricing

It was revealed that the policy premiums might range from Rs.800 to Rs.3,000 for a sum insured of Rs.50,000-Rs.1 lakh. The pricing will be decided based on the policy type and the insurer.

Why should you buy it?

Adding vector-borne diseases health insurance policy to your bucket will provide an extra layer of protection in addition to your existing health insurance or corporate health insurance policy. 

If you are unable to purchase a comprehensive health cover due to age, you can purchase these vector-borne diseases cover to get protection. 

In case you prefer having the vector-borne diseases policy as an additional cover (or rider) on your existing health insurance policy, the vector-borne diseases policy will compensate for the loss of income with its lump-sum payment the existing health insurance policy will pay for the hospitalisation expenses.

For any clarifications/feedback on the topic, please contact the writer at apoorva.n@cleartax.in