Ravi Chandran
DBS to offer free COVID-19 relief insurance coverage for all five million DBS/POSB customers and families – Customers can sign up for the COVID-19 Hospital Cash insurance policy online, or at any DBS/POSB bank branch island-wide from 24 February till 15 March
By: Hitesh Khan/
DBS on Feb 17 announced that it has partnered with Chubb Insurance Singapore Limited (Chubb) to offer all its five million customers in Singapore complimentary insurance coverage in relation to COVID-19.
Both parties are also in discussions to introduce similar COVID-19 relief insurance coverage policies for customers in the regional markets that DBS operates in.
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Launching on 24 February, the COVID-19 Hospital Cash policy is a 30-day free cover that provides a daily cash benefit for hospital confinement and a lump sum payout for ICU confinement, in relation to COVID-19. It also provides worldwide coverage for policyholders who must travel during this period. DBS/POSB customers who are Singapore Residents aged 18 and above can apply for the COVID-19 Hospital Cash policy as the main policyholder, and include their immediate family members1 as additional insured persons. There is no age limit, though the policy can only insure those who are one month and above, and family members do not have to be DBS/POSB customers.
COVID-19 relief insurance coverage meant to further enhance community support measures
Said Shee Tse Koon, DBS Singapore Country Head, “On the back of the liquidity relief measures we introduced last week, we wanted to further enhance the community support measures for our customers and the public in Singapore. Alongside the public health measures announced by the Singapore Government, we hope this coverage – which will be available to almost all Singapore residents – will help to further cushion affected patients’ healthcare expenses during a difficult period. Together with our partner Chubb, we stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the people of Singapore and will continue to do our best to support everyone here.”
Scott Simpson, Country President of Chubb in Singapore said, “Chubb, like DBS, recognises the importance of aiding customers during this critical period. In view of the evolving coronavirus situation, we want to provide DBS customers with appropriate protection, peace of mind and confidence to carry out their daily activities, knowing that in the event of the unfortunate, they are protected. As partners, we stand in solidarity to give the local community our full support in this time of need.”
COVID-19 relief insurance coverage includes cash for hospitalisation and admission
Those who are diagnosed with COVID-19 while being covered by the COVID-19 Hospital Cash policy will receive SGD 100 per day of hospitalisation and a lump sum of SGD 1,000 upon admission to the ICU.
The COVID-19 Hospital Cash policy will be available for customers to sign up online from 24 February till 15 March. Customers may also apply at any DBS/POSB bank branch island-wide. The 30-day free cover commences on the date of application and will expire automatically. Should customers wish to extend their coverage beyond the 30 days, they can also choose to purchase additional coverage with the Recovery Hospital Cash policy. It provides policyholders with daily cash payouts for hospitalisation stays due to COVID-19, as well as other sicknesses (including dengue fever) and accidental injury.
The offer of free COVID-19 relief insurance coverage for all DBS/POSB customers is a part of the bank’s overall community support efforts during this difficult time.
The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) said in a press release on Feb 14 that it welcomes the recent announcements from banks and insurers in Singapore to support their customers who may be facing financial difficulties brought about by the impact of the ongoing 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
The support announced by financial institutions thus far include moratoriums on repayments for affected corporate and individual customers, extension of payment terms for trade finance facilities, and additional financing for working capital.
MAS noted that the measures are in line with guidelines on corporate debt restructuring by the Association of Banks in Singapore (ABS). Insurers in Singapore have clarified that Integrated Shield Plans (IP), IP riders and most other personal and group health insurance policies will cover hospitalisation expenses related to COVID-19.
Some insurers have extended additional benefits to life insurance policyholders diagnosed with COVID-19, such as complimentary lump sum payments upon diagnosis, as well as daily cash payment for the duration of hospitalisation.
MAS said it supports these efforts by financial institutions to work constructively with customers affected by COVID-19 while adhering to prudent risk assessments. The various measures by financial institutions will help corporates and individuals facing short-term cash flow constraints and provide timely insurance coverage for policyholders affected by COVID-19. Taken together, these measures by financial institutions should help to buffer some of the impact on corporates and individuals from the COVID-19 outbreak, said MAS.
UOB, another financial institution, announced a $3billion relief assistance especially for SMEs affected by Covid-19. It said in a press release on Feb 12 that it has allocated S$3 billion to provide companies, especially small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in Singapore with relief assistance to tide over the negative impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on their business.
UOB announces package to help corporate clients
In the face of the likely economic fallout and its impact on industries and businesses, UOB sees the need to help its corporate clients, in particular the SMEs, in addressing their near-term liquidity needs. The Bank’s relief measures aim to enable those affected companies, who have good track records and who have been servicing their repayments promptly, to have more flexibility in their cash flow management.
