The Pandemic Shield insurance policy provides cover for the current coronavirus pandemic – and for future pandemics. Any sudden outbreak of disease declared to be a pandemic by the World Health Organisation (WHO), and recognised as such by the national government, will be covered under your Pandemic Shield policy.
To qualify for a fixed sum pay-out under your Pandemic Shield policy, you will need to have been hospitalised for at least 48 hours, and to have tested positive for COVID-19.
On the Diamond Plan, you will receive a once-off payment of R50 000, plus R500 per day for the duration of your hospital stay (up to a maximum of 14 days, whichever is the shorter). On the Gold Plan, you will receive R25 000 as a once-off payment.
If you are hospitalised due to COVID-19, you will be unable to work – possibly for several weeks. Even with the best medical care, it may take you some time to fully recover. Even if you are not earning, you will still have bills to pay – and additional expenses related to your treatment.
Pandemic Shield insurance provides a fixed sum pay-out that can make a real difference. You can put it towards:
No, Pandemic Shield insurance is not a medical scheme. Rather, it pays out a fixed amount if you are hospitalised as a result of COVID-19.
Any person younger than 60 years at the time they apply may take out this insurance. Only one policy is allowed per insured person.
A 21-day general waiting period applies to all Pandemic Shield policies under this policy. No claims can be made during the waiting period. Events that occur during the waiting period cannot be claimed for, even if the claim is submitted after the expiration of the waiting period.
No, this is not necessary. You can still be accepted for Pandemic Shield cover if you have a pre-existing condition.
You can make a subsequent claim under your Pandemic Shield policy but only once a 21-day period has elapsed since your previous discharge from hospital following treatment for COVID-19.
No, you must have been admitted to a registered hospital for the ongoing treatment of a pandemic illness (This includes COVID-19) to qualify for a claim under the Pandemic Shield policy.
Please note: These FAQs are merely for information purposes and do not purport to be or act as advice.
No, at present the policy only covers one individual. This is currently being reviewed.
A parent can take out cover on behalf of a minor and sign the application on their behalf. The parent will be the premium payer.
Yes, this would be possible. Please discuss this option with your broker.
Please remember that this policy covers any sudden and global outbreak of a disease classified by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as a pandemic after 1 January 2020, and subsequently recognised by the country it is contracted in and acknowledged as a pandemic. This pandemic insurance is therefore not only applicable to Covid-19, but also covers any future WHO declared pandemics. If a member cancels, giving the mandatory 30-days’ notice, a 6-month waiting period will be imposed before they can join again.
Yes, with all the required supporting documentation and evidence.
Unfortunately not. Once assessed and approved, applicable benefits will be paid directly into the policyholder’s account.
You will be covered in any registered hospital where you have been admitted for a minimum admission period of 48 hours for medical treatment directly related to the pandemic.
Unfortunately, not.
South Africa only. If you are admitted to a registered hospital in South Africa for treatment after a positive diagnosis for Covid-19 After the 21-day waiting period, and are hospitalized in SA, for longer than 48 hours, the location of contraction is irrelevant.
The Overall Annual Limit (OAL) for claims is aggregated to a maximum of R164 000 per annum per policy.
Any person younger than sixty (60) years can take out this insurance policy. Only one policy is allowed for one Insured Person. This policy has a cover cease age of sixty (60) years.
Unfortunately not, as this will result in significantly higher premiums. In addition to this, if you contract the disease whilst in hospital as a result of a different admission, this policy will not pay out.
This policy only caters for an admission to hospital, for ongoing treatment, as a result of a positive diagnosis for a registered pandemic.
In the event of death of the policyholder, benefits will be paid to the member’s estate unless a beneficiary is nominated, in which case payment will be made to the beneficiary.
The daily cash allowance is only claimable for registered days in hospital. If you are discharged because of capacity and re-admitted within a few days for the initial diagnosis, then the days will accumulate again from the readmission date. Only upon a new positive pathology test after the additional 21 day waiting period has elapsed between admissions, will a secondary claim be able to be submitted.
Before you make any decisions around purchasing or cancelling an insurance policy, always consult with your or an accredited advisor. This is the only way to ensure that you are not compromising or prejudicing any party. However, as per the policy rules, there is a standard 30-days cancellation notice period required. However, the Insurance Act and the Policy allows for a cooling off period of 14-days, which only leaves an additional 7 day waiting period.
As an example, we believe that it would be unwise to cancel the policy due to the following reasons:
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Pandemic Shield is administered by Sirago Underwriting Managers (Pty) Ltd, an Authorised Financial Services Provider (FSP: 4710), underwritten by GENRIC Insurance Company Limited (FSP: 43638). GENRIC is an Authorised Financial Services Provider and licensed non-life insurer.
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