Insurers Debunk Bogus Claims the COVID-19 Vaccine Invalidates Life Insurance

A forged document purporting to be from insurer Allianz has fuelled rumours that people who receive the COVID-19 vaccine are invalidating their life insurance policies. The Association of British Insurers (ABI) and a host of individual insurers have dismissed the claims as conspiracy theories and reassured customers that the jab has no impact on their insurance.

The rumours appear to have originated from a fraudulent document first circulated in Australia. It’s since spread to the UK, sent to policyholders by scammers and posted on social media by vaccine sceptics.

The document purports to be a product disclosure statement and policy document for Allianz’s life insurance. It lists scenarios under which claims would be rejected, highlighting a line that reads: “We will not pay critical illness or permanently unable to work benefit where the condition is intentionally self-inflicted.”

It then goes on to erroneously state: “If you consent to taking a Covid-19 vaccine your consent is 'self-inflicted', it was your choice to have the experimental medical procedure and therefore insurance will not cover any damage or death.

“All injuries for insurance must not be accidental and a treatment by consent is not an accident.”

The bogus document has fed rumours that policyholders won’t be able to claim on their life insurance policy if they die within a year of receiving the vaccine.

Allianz has dismissed claims as false. The insurer said in a statement: “Allianz is aware of incorrect information being distributed in relation to Covid-19 vaccinations and life insurance.” 

It directs customers to a FAQ page about its policies which states: “Your Allianz life insurance policy does not contain a specific policy exclusion for COVID-19 or for taking the COVID-19 vaccine.”

The Association of British Insurers also states on its website that the jab won’t affect cover: “There are some claims being made that having the Covid-19 vaccine will impact your life insurance cover. This is false. Receiving a vaccination against Covid-19 will not impact your insurance cover, be it life insurance, private medical insurance or other forms of insurance.” 

Individual insurers have also debunked the claims. Zurich states on its FAQ page: “We have seen suggestions being made that having the Covid-19 vaccine will impact your ability to claim on your life insurance cover. This is definitely not the case. Our policies continue to offer the same ongoing support and peace of mind, and all claims will be assessed in the usual way.”

Life insurers don’t ask new applicants or existing customers whether they’ve received the COVID-19 vaccination. Having the jab won’t affect your application or premiums for a new insurance policy or payouts from any existing policy you hold.

Additionally, having the virus also doesn’t invalidate your life insurance or mean you’ll be rejected for cover. Some insurers have delayed life insurance applications for those who are currently testing positive for COVID-19, asking them to submit medical evidence. The delay is short—30 days is typical—and largely applies to those with underlying medical conditions. Those applicants are assessed again under normal procedures when they've recovered and tested negative.

Finally, life insurance policies don’t include exclusions for deaths caused by pandemics or viruses.

The ABI states: "If you or a loved one has to make a claim on a life insurance policy as a result of coronavirus, it would be handled like any other life insurance claim and would be paid subject to the usual policy terms and conditions."

The trade body says UK insurers paid out £202 million to the families of those who died of coronavirus last year.