KUALA LUMPUR: Life insurance companies and takaful operators will provide hospitalisation coverage and treatment to policyholders afflicted by the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV).

Life Insurance Association of Malaysia (LIAM) chief executive officer Mark O’ Dell said the World Health Organisation (WHO) recently declared the 2019-nCoV outbreak as a global health emergency.

“Even though a majority of the medical policies or certificates carry an exclusion on communicable disease requiring quarantine by law, Malaysian life insurers and takaful operators are responding to an immediate need of the nation by waiving the exclusion of quarantine by law in light of the increasing number of people who have been affected,” the statement read.

He also advised policyholders to check with their respective insurance companies and takaful operators for the benefits as well as terms and conditions of their health insurance policy or takaful certificate.

“Kindly contact your respective life insurance companies directly if you wish to find out more about your insurance coverage.

“To our fellow Malaysians, we wish to advise you to take precautionary measures as advised by the Health Ministry such as practising the highest standard of hygiene by often washing hands with soap or hand sanitizers, using a face mask, avoid visiting crowded places and others,” he said, adding that LIAM member companies are listed on its website at www.liam.org.my.