BY NKECHI NAECHE-ESEZOBOR: In line with its profession as risk managers and in the face of the global COVID-19 pandemic, the umbrella body of insurance in in the country, the Nigerian Insurers Association ( NIA) on Monday said it has arranged a special life insurance cover for all health personnel and allied professionals who are attending to victims of COVID-19.
The Chairman of the association, Tope Smart, disclosed this today during a briefing with insurance journalists in Lagos, that life insurance companies will be responsible for the payment of the benefits.
He added that member companies has also decided to procure testing kits and protective materials worth N100million for the use of medical personnel saddled with this responsibility.
He added that the materials when available will be delivered to the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC).
He explained further that the benefits include death policy of N1million in case any of the medical personnel died in the during the period of discharging his/ her duty and a permanent disability benefits of N1million will be paid to the medical personnel.
He added that the health personnel are not expected to pay for any premium, adding that the premium payment will be paid by insurance companies.
He noted that the frontline staffs are exposed to a lot of risks and as an association “we felt the need to provide cover for them against their exposures.”
He said the association will liaise with the Federal Ministry of Health, NCDC and state governments to provide them with detailed information about those personnel so they can prepare their insurance cover.
The association advised the general public to adhere to the guidelines issued by the World Health Organization (WHO), Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and other government agencies and institutions as they relate to efforts to curb the disease.
“Observe restriction of air travels into the country, limits on religious and other mass gatherings, interstate movement by some state governments, closure of schools and markets and other public places.
“Observe regular hand washing regime, use of alcohol based hand sanitizers and enforcement of social distancing among others.
“We urge Nigerians to STAY SAFE and STAY INSURED.
The association also urged Nigerians to STAY SAFE and STAY INSURED, while assuring them that activation of business continuity and disaster recovery strategies by providing the necessary support for the wellbeing of employees, clients and other stakeholders.
“Ensuring delivery of quality services to clients through prompt payment of genuine claims.
“Deployment of alternative channels for effective provision of insurance services to customers.”
