As media coverage of COVID-19 increases amid Government advice to avoid crowds, insurer Cigna issues a reassurance that its customers are covered, while putting a hold on new applications for redundancy insurance policies.
The company says customers can still apply for, and be underwritten for redundancy cover, but is currently unable to assess the risk.
“All new applications will be deferred for approximately three months at this stage,” says a spokesperson. “We’re regularly assessing the situation and will update customers as soon as anything changes.”
The company also says that so long as clients disclosed any pre-existing conditions at the time of application, and all terms and conditions have been met, then existing cover will continue as normal.
“There are no specific exclusions that would prevent valid claims being paid where they relate to the contraction of coronavirus or COVID-19,” says a company spokesperson.
The company also says its customers who have recently taken out life insurance with the firm are not being treated differently.
“There is no change to the general terms and conditions of their policies as a result of COVID-19,” says the spokesperson.
“Our customers can feel confident that there are no pandemic exclusions on their life insurance, TPD, trauma, or income protection policies and we will not exclude COVID-19 as a cause of claim.
“The COVID-19 situation has rapidly evolved and was declared a pandemic on 11 March. Since then we have been taking additional steps to ensure new applicants – those not yet insured with us and with a heightened risk – are managed appropriately and assessed on a case-by-case basis.”