For customers with active and eligible life insurance plans, additional lump sum medical and funeral benefit will be provided if diagnosed with COVID-19. We have your back no matter the challenge of the COVID-19.

We have your back no matter the challenge of the COVID-19.

Special coverage period from March 9, 2020 up to April 15, 2020

COVID-19 Ready Benefit Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is COVID-19? 

COVID-19 is the infectious disease caused by the most recently discovered coronavirus. This new virus and disease were unknown before the outbreak began in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses which may cause illness in animals or humans.  In humans, several coronaviruses are known to cause respiratory infections ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). The most recently discovered coronavirus causes coronavirus disease COVID-19.

If COVID-19 leads to a covered critical illness, for example, chronic lung disease, we provide the corresponding benefits. However, COVID-19 is not a covered critical illness of our Set for Health product, HealthPro add-on, and Critical Illness add-on. 

4. What can I do to avoid getting infected by COVID-19? 

• Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water.
• Maintain at least 1-meter (3 feet) distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
• Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth.
• Make sure you, and the people around you, follow good respiratory hygiene. This means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately.
• Stay home if you feel unwell. If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention and call in advance. Follow the directions of your local health authority.
• Stay informed on the latest developments about COVID-19. Follow advice given by your healthcare provider, your national and local public health authority or your employer on how to protect yourself and others from COVID-19.
• Keep up to date on the latest COVID-19 hotspots (cities or local areas where COVID-19 is spreading widely). If possible, avoid traveling to places, especially if you are an older person or have diabetes, heart or lung disease. 

 

9. How do I file the claim for the additional benefits for COVID-19

You need to present medical evidence for the diagnosis of COVID-19 to support your claim. The medical evidence must come from a recognized medical authority in the Philippines and abroad. Soft copies of claim documents will also be accepted in this instance.

10. If the insured recovers from COVID-19 then subsequently, I am diagnosed with a new instance of the condition outside the special coverage period, will they still be eligible for the additional funeral benefit?

If you have subsequent instances of COVID-19 outside the special coverage period, you are no longer covered for the additional benefit. Your beneficiary, however, will still receive the death benefit from your existing plan.

11. Do I have to pay extra to be eligible for the additional COVID-19 benefits?

FWD COVID-19 Ready benefits are available at no additional costs for active and eligible FWD insurance plans.

12. Can I claim if my policy is lapsed and I am diagnosed with COVID-19?

If your policy lapsed after February 29, 2020 and you have this reinstated, you can claim for the additional FWD COVID-19 Ready benefits if you are diagnosed with COVID-19.

If your policy lapsed before February 29, 2020 and you reinstate after, you cannot claim for the additional FWD COVID-19 Ready benefits even if you are diagnosed.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on how to claim your additional benefits for COVID-19

1. Do my existing FWD insurance plans cover COVID-19?

For active and eligible FWD insurance plans, an additional ‘FWD COVID-19 Ready’ death benefit can be claimed in case of death due to COVID-19. 

You can also file a claim for the following benefits if you have them in your plan: 
a. Hospital cash benefit, which is subject to the conditions in the plan
b. Critical illness benefit, should COVID-19 lead to a critical illness

For as long as you were under investigation for COVID-19 during the coverage period, you will still receive your additional benefits even if you submitted your claim documents late, and even after the special coverage period. 

Late submission of claim documents also applies to all FWD policyholders who are not diagnosed with COVID-19.

4. Is there a grace period for the payment of insurance premiums?

FWD offers an extended grace period of up to 90 days for the insured, diagnosed with COVID-19. For all other FWD life insurance plans, FWD offers an extended grace period of up to 60 days. This grace period is applicable to premium due dates from March 9, 2020 to April 15, 2020.
FWD COVID-19 Ready benefits are available at no additional costs for active and eligible FWD insurance plans. None but the claimant will shoulder the fees related to the required documents like a medical evidence certificate. No amount will be deducted as the FWD COVID-19 Ready coverage is available at no cost for eligible active FWD insurance plans.