General and Health Insurers are advised to grant 60 days grace period in respect of all health insurance policies due for renewal up to 30th September, 2018 in the State of Kerala and flood affected districts in the State of Karnataka. While extending the grace period, insurers shall comply with Clause (15) of Chapter I of Guidelines on Standardization in Health Insurance (Ref: IRDAI/HLT/REG/CIR/146/07/2016, dated 29.07.2016) for such extended period so as, to protect the continuity of benefits as specified therein. Where the policies are due for renewal during the extended grace period, all the insurers are advised to ensure compliance to Regulation 2(i)(e) of IRDAI (Health Insurance) Regulation, 2016.
Further, in respect of deposits / premiums collected for issue of health insurance policies during the period of August, 2018, where such deposits/premiums collected could not be converted to policies within the stipulated time as prescribed in Regulation 8 (6) of IRDAI (Protection of Policyholders’ Interests) Regulations, 2017, Insurers are allowed to convert such deposits into policies by 30th September, 2018. Where the premium collected is not converted to policies by 30thSeptember, 2018, such premiums shall be refunded by duly complying with Regulation 8(7) of IRDAI (Protection of Policyholders’ Interest) Regulations, 2017.
