Digi offers dengue insurance to its subscribers

FIGHTING THE DENGUE : A private contractor fogging the compound of a housing estate at Rimba Kiara Townhouse in an effort to control dengue in Kuala Lumpur, yesterday. MUHAMAD SHAHRIL ROSLI/The Star..

Digi customers will be able to buy and manage insurance coverage – specifically for both dengue and the Zika virus – online, which is payable as part of their phone bill.

Customers can sign up online via Digi's EasyAdd service by choosing the package of their choice, filling in a policy form, then just waiting for the insurance underwriter to approve it.

Leveraging on Health Ministry data, the telco will text customers in high alert dengue areas that their residential area is a hotspot and offer the plan.

After signing up, users can manage the subscription via EasyAdd. 

Digi Telecommunications Sdn Bhd is partnering with Gibraltar BSN Life Bhd on the Dengue Cover+ plan, which provides coverage for both dengue and Zika virus induced illnesses.

The plan is available for existing Malaysian postpaid and prepaid subscribers between 18-45 years old, plus applicants are not required to undergo medical examinations to qualify.

The plans come in three tiers – Platinum at RM20 a month or RM220 a year, Gold at RM10 a month or RM110 a year, and Silver at RM5 a month or RM55 a year.

Premiums will be directly debited to customers' Digi account.

The plans provide compensation for Total Permanent Disability (TPD), Accidental Death Benefit, Accidental TPD Benefit and up to 10 days of Hospital Cash Benefit.

Digi chief marketing officer Loh Keh Jiat says many Malaysians still lack access to affordable healthcare, though dengue is a rising concern here.

"Our new partnership with Gibraltar BSN enables us to connect our customers who matters most, by offering hassle-free digital insurance solutions and keeping them protected with up-to-date health alerts,” he said, in a press release.

The Health Ministry recorded 3,223 cases of dengue in the fifth week of 2019, a 3.1% increase from the previous week which had 3,127 cases reported. This brings the total for dengue cases in 2019 to 15,469, with 25 deaths associated with the virus so far. 

EasyAdd is a subscription marketplace by Digi, where its customers can subscribe for insurance, e-papers, video streaming and more.