With all the news reports on coronavirus (COVID-19), we understand that this is a worrying time for you and your family. To help keep you informed and reassured, here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions.
I’ve been financially impacted as a result of COVID-19, how can you help me to keep my cover?
We’re here to support you with options to help you to keep your cover in place. So if you think you might have a problem keeping up your payments, please contact us to see how we can support you through this emergency.
How is my existing Life cover benefit impacted by COVID-19?
With life cover we will pay a lump sum if you or anyone covered under the plan dies. If you die as a result of COVID-19, or a complication associated with it, your life cover will pay out as normal. There are no changes to terms and conditions arising from COVID-19.
How is my existing Specified Illness Cover benefit impacted by COVID-19?
With specified illness cover we will pay you a lump sum to help you recover if you suffer one of the specified illness conditions covered under the plan, for example malignant cancer or heart attack. COVID-19 is not a ‘specified illness’ within the list of covered conditions for Irish Life or other insurers.
However, you may be eligible to claim for a condition arising from COVID-19 if this condition is one of the specified illnesses covered under you plan and according to the plans other normal terms and conditions.
There are no exclusion clauses in Specified Illness Cover plans in respect of COVID-19.
How is my existing Income Protection benefit impacted by COVID-19?
With income protection we will pay you a regular income if you cannot work because of illness or injury. When you took out this plan, you chose a deferred period of 8, 13, 26 or 52 weeks. This is the continuous amount of time you need to be medically off work before we will pay the incapacity benefit.
If you have been diagnosed with COVID 19 or have a resulting medical condition which means you can’t work, you will be able to submit a claim and be medically assessed as normal at the end of your deferred period. The illness must continue for longer than your chosen deferred period.
How is my Bill Cover benefit on my OnePlan Protection plan impacted by COVID-19?
Bill cover helps you pay your essential bills (like your mortgage or rent and your utility bills) if you can’t work due to injury or illness while you are employed or self-employed with an income. If you have Bill Cover, you would have chosen a deferred period of 8, 13, 26 or 52 weeks when you took it out. This is the continuous amount of time you need to be off work due to illness or injury before we will pay this benefit.
If you have been diagnosed with COVID 19 or have a resulting medical condition which means you can’t work, you will be able to submit a claim and be medically assessed as normal at the end of your deferred period. The illness must continue for longer than your chosen deferred period.
I have Income Protection or Bill Cover and I am self-isolating as a precaution due to COVID-19 - am I covered?
Bill Cover and Income Protection are payable if you can't work due to an illness or injury. The need to self-isolate as a precaution is not considered an illness or injury.
I have Income Protection or Bill Cover and I am made either temporarily or permanently redundant as a result of the COVID-19 economic impacts - am I covered?
Bill Cover and Income Protection are payable if you can’t work due to illness or injury – they do not cover unemployment or redundancy. You can visit gov.ie for details about claiming the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment.
How can I use your Nurse-care services?
With some of our life insurance plans, you can have 24/7 access to the Nurse-care team of experienced, professional nurses. They can help from treating or assessing minor family ailments or accidents, to advice on dealing with more traumatic events. For full information on this service please see https://www.irishlife.ie/life-insurance/nursecare
Can I apply for a new life assurance plan as normal?
Yes you can continue to apply for life insurance, specified illness cover or income protection as normal. In some cases, where we ask for additional medical evidence for underwriting, this is likely to take longer than usual to obtain as a result of the Covid-19 emergency.
If you are in self-isolation as a result of the COVID -19 outbreak or recent travel abroad, we will defer your new business application for cover until after you have been given the all clear.
If you has tested positive for COVID -19, we will defer your new business application for cover until you have fully recovered or been given all clear. This could take a number of months.
Please note: None of this information should take the place of medical advice or official guidance/direction issued by public health authorities or Government.