Dubai: Top causes of health care insurance claims in the region are from Cardiovascular disease and cancer as the claim trends corresponds strongly with the region’s leading causes of premature death and critical illness, according to Zurich International Life Limited (Zurich).
Claims Insights, a study of patterns of health insurance claims from January 2015 to December 2017 in the region showed that more than 80 per cent of all claimants were under 60 years of age. The average age for customers claiming for critical illness was 48 and the average age for life cover claims was 50.
Among the critical illness claims, the data showed 71 per cent of women claimed coverage due to cancer, and 52 per cent of men claiming due to cardiovascular disease. The data also shows Zurich paid Dh273 million ($80 million) in critical illness and life cover claims, up 20 per cent from the previous period, January 2014 to December 2016.
“Since publishing our claims statistics in 2011, we have seen a steady increase in critical illness and life cover claims. This reflects the demographic shifts in health within the region with an increasing prevalence of obesity, diabetes, tobacco use and heart disease in this region,” stated Rohan Chittal, Zurich Middle East’s Chief Underwriter and Head of Claims.
The average age for customers claiming for critical illness was 48 and the average age for death claims was 50, meaning these individuals and their (young) families were being affected in the prime productive years of their lives.
A review of the amount of cover selected by Zurich customers showed the reality that underinsurance is a pressing issue. Many claimants were underinsured, with two thirds of death claims and 81 per cent of critical illness claims under $200,000.