ICICI Prudential Life strengthens health insurance

30 July 2007

Mumbai: India''s largest private life insurer, ICICI Prudential Life Insurance, has launched its newest health insurance product, Crisis Cover, to provide comprehensive cover against disease, disability and death to policyholders.

The product is unique because it offers the widest coverage against 35 critical illnesses, total and permanent disability, and death over the long-term, making it the most comprehensive critical illness plan available in India today.

"Rapid progress has the unfortunate side effect of increased stress, poor diet and lack of exercise, which has led to an increase in the incidence of illnesses, particularly lifestyle diseases," said Shikha Sharma, managing director and CEO, ICICI Prudential Life Insurance.

"For many, financial constraints keep them from accessing appropriate healthcare, and we believe that Crisis Cover, with its long-term, benefit-based approach and cover against a comprehensive list of illnesses is ideally positioned to bridge this gap," Sharma added.

The 35 conditions covered by Crisis Cover include angioplasty, brain surgery, coronary artery bypass surgery, kidney failure, heart attack, major organ transplant, stroke, etc. With such a comprehensive list of illnesses, the plan would provide cover against disease related to most body organs and even loss of senses such hearing, eyesight and loss of limbs. The applicable sum assured is paid in the event of being diagnosed with a critical illness or on being rendered totally disabled or on death, whichever occurs first.

Features of Crisis Cover:

• Benefit amount paid on diagnosis of any of the 35 critical illnesses, disability or death
  
• Receive lump sum benefit amount irrespective of actual billing and in addition to other benefit received under another medical insurance plan.
  
• Long-term coverage upto 75 years of age
  
• Coverage continues even after claiming benefit on select critical illness
  
• Tax benefits u/s 80C and 80D