Extra Benefits for the Insured under the Pandemic
COVID-19 is spreading around the world in recent years, and the 5th wave of infections in Hong Kong has repeatedly hit new highs. Many people worry that once the infection is confirmed, not only would affect their health and work, it will also put their families at risk. Under the pandemic, is there any insurance coverage developed for the pandemic to protect yourself, your family, and even your foreign domestic helper?
COVID-19 Symptoms and Testing Methods
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is the disease caused by a new coronavirus called SARS-CoV-21.
Symptoms of COVID-19
Common symptoms of COVID-19 include2:
Other symptoms include loss of taste or smell, nasal congestion, conjunctivitis, sore throat, headache, muscle or joint pain, skin rash, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, chills or dizziness. The severity of the disease varies among different people. Some patients may have mild symptoms, while others may have severe symptoms. People of older age or those with underlying medical problems such as high blood pressure, diabetes or cancer, are more likely to have serious conditions.
Testing of COVID-19
There are currently 2 main testing methods used to identify COVID-19:
Rapid Antigen Tests（RAT）
Rapid Antigen Tests collect nasal and nasopharyngeal swab samples or deep throat saliva samples to detect virus proteins (antigens) in respiratory specimens3. Results are usually available within 30 minutes.
At present, there are different manufacturers of rapid antigen test kits on the market for the public to purchase for self-testing. The testing procedures are quite simple. Please refer to the product manual before use.
However, during the rapid antigen test, there is a chance that the patient is infected with the virus but shows a negative result, commonly known as "false negative". Those with positive results will generally undergo a nucleic acid test to review and reconfirm the results.
RT-PCR Test
RT-PCR test is a kind of nucleic acid testing that is considered the standard for diagnosing COVID-19 by detecting genetic material within the COVID-19 virus by taking samples from saliva, nasal or throat specimens. Nucleic acid testing is more accurate than antigen testing, but it takes a longer time to get results.
How to Choose the Best Insurance to Protect Yourself and Your Family under the Pandemic?
What is the Insurance Coverage if You and Your Family are Infected with a Communicable Disease, such as COVID-19?
COVID-19 is highly contagious, and even maintaining good personal hygiene doesn’t mean that you won’t be infected. Is there any insurance coverage for the pandemic if I or any of my family members are infected?
AIG SafeGuard Accident and Illness Insurance provides protection against accidental medical expenses and potential loss of income even if you are contracted and hospitalized due to infectious diseases such as COVID-19. The insurance can provide you with the daily hospital cash cover, with sum insured up to HK$1,300/day.
