Amazon to arrange free Covid-19 health insurance for its sellers in India
Amazon India on Thursday said it is arranging COVID-19 health insurance cover for registered sellers on its marketplace through Acko General Insurance.
Amazon.in will fully fund the premium cost for this group insurance policy that will be valid for one year after activation. Thus, sellers with an active listing on Amazon.in between January 1, 2020, and May 1, 2021, can enroll themselves under the group policy to get coverage for Covid-19 hospitalization and medical expenses up to ₹50,000. In addition, the insurance policy will also cover domiciliary treatment expenses, as prescribed, up to the sum insured.
Manish Tiwary, Vice President, Amazon India said, “We remain committed to serve the nation in its fight against COVID-19. As part of our efforts to support marketplace sellers during these challenging times, we are and funding and enabling sellers to opt for this COVID-19 health insurance policy for their benefit. We are working tirelessly with sellers to serve customers across India safely and we want to ensure that medical expenses is the least of their worries at this time. While we sincerely hope that none of the marketplace sellers need to use this, the policy ensures that if they need it, their medical expenses are taken care of through the insurance.”
In a press note, Amazon said that the company has engaged with Acko to provide coverage, manage the policy delivery and handle claims and reimbursements and it will open a 30-day enrolment window wherein eligible sellers can enroll themselves by providing basic personal particulars and KYC documents. No medical tests will be required for registration and opt-in.
For each seller account, only one person may be covered under the insurance policy. Once the requisite details are processed, a Unique Health Identification (UHID) number will be issued post-registration to the marketplace sellers by Acko, which they can use to file their claims and reimbursements.
“To claim reimbursement for COVID-19 related hospitalization and treatment expenses, we will set up a mechanism to enable eligible sellers to apply directly to Acko. The claim under the policy will be payable for a seller who is enrolled under the policy and who tests positive for COVID-19 for the first time, after 15 days from the date of issuance of cover. Expenses incurred on co-morbidity in case of COVID-19 hospitalization will be covered under the policy, ” the company said.
