Infectious diseases, changes to our policies from 1 October 2009
Date: 1 October 2009
Why we’re making these changes
In many of our policies, under the business interruption or consequential loss section, we provide cover for loss of income following the occurrence of an infectious disease This is usually described as a ‘notifiable’ disease, which the relevant local authority has stated must be notified to them.
It is not always clear to our customers what these diseases are. Recent new viruses and pandemics such as the H1N1 (swine flu) virus have led us – like many other insurers - to review the cover we provide.
What we’re changing
From 1 October 2009 for new business and 1 January 2010 for renewals, Baptist Insurance will continue to offer cover but for specified diseases rather than for ‘notifiable’ or any infectious or contagious disease. We are sorry that it is not economically viable for us to provide cover for pandemic viruses, but with this approach you and your customers can be clear on exactly what is covered.
At the same time we are limiting the time span we will cover to 3 months per incident and the amount we will pay to £250,000 or 25% of the sum insured, whichever is less. However, we are prepared to consider an extension to these limits for the payment of additional premium.
In our continuing commitment as a specialist insurer, we recognise the needs of our different customer groups and have:
Added three additional specified diseases to cover for our care customers
Maintained a 25 mile radius for cover (rather than just at the premises) and the 12 month indemnity period for our education customers.
Please note, we are also making changes to the prevention of access extension and will be adding a special condition in respect of the reinstatement of data endorsement extension.
Further details
Full details of the changes to policy wordings, including the list of specified diseases covered for each can be viewed in the policy update documents below.
Changes to policy 1 October 2009 - Church
Changes to policies 1 October 2009 - Commercial
If you have any further questions please contact us.