A Hybrid insurance product is basically a combination of two insurance products
which may include few featured of financial instrument, however not necessarily
accessing the capital market. A variety of Hybrid products have been developed.
Hybrid insurance plans have been primarily innovated by the insurance companies
providing private long-term care insurance. This is one of the ongoing and
quickly developing advancement in the insurance market. In light of the
customers' demands, the insurance business has made innovative combinations, or
'hybrid', and other wellbeing strategies. These courses of action offer health
advantages which are given by annuity or life coverage and any other long-term
insurance plans. The historical background is mainly the continuing interest of
government and policy-makers to increase such innovations especially in the
long-term care insurance to reduce strain on the payment of such facilities in
the long run. This not only helps in curbing the spiraling cost of affording
long term care insurance for the insured as well as reduces the risk factor,
thus benefiting the profit motive insurers. Thus, it is more convenient for the
insured because of variety of benefits offered by hybrid product than compared
to a traditional insurance product. In addition to this hybrid insurance plans
though enables economies of scale, the charge on premiums differ from person to
person depending on the age and health conditions.
Nature of Long-Term Care Insurance:
The nature of such insurance is to cover for all the costs and expenses incurred
for the services done to ensure well-being of the individual. It becomes more
useful where an insured is suffering with a certain disability and need constant
care. A certain class of financial loss due to such disability will be covered
under such insurance. This is different from a health insurance which is
prevalent in India. The concept of long term care insurance (hereinafter
referred to as LTC) is new to India because of its limited customers and high
premium. However, the traditional long-term care insurance unlike reimbursing
medical expenses for certain illness, it also covers the day to day care taken
to ensure the health of the customer. The introduction of long term care
insurance has been long brought up by the IRDAI, which has recently started
formulating guidelines for the long-term care insurance. This is because of the
growth of health care in India and the new development based on the need for a
now innovative policy in the insurance sector. This is also different from the
Term insurance as long-term care insurance primarily covers the expenses of
basic needs of aging people. Ostensibly, these insurances may sound expensive,
but they are feasible with the growth of nuclear family, increase in population
of older people, and so on. Additionally, they also provide tax benefits.
Nature of Disability Insurance-
Disability insurance is basically that the insurer provides for financial
benefits that maybe equal to the income the insured could have earned in the
absence of disability. Usually it replaces the a portion of your lost income
caused due to such disability. Disability insurance includes both short term
disability benefits as well as long term disability benefits. Additionally,
disability insurance policy can be taken for permanent disability or temporary
disability; full disability or partial disability, and depending on the degree
of disability, shall the insurance company shall make payment. It ensures
financial security to your lifestyle and family in case of any unfortunate
circumstances. This type of insurance is usually taken by the employer of an
organization on behalf of the employees and in case of any misfortune, the
insurance company shall pay monthly benefits for the lost period, however in
this case this insurance taken by the employer is subject to taxes unlike a
purchase of disability insurance by a non-employee. Disability insurance are
importance as much as health insurance in India. The growth and scope of
disability insurances in private sector is very limited, exactly why the need
for awareness of disability insurance as based on the recent report on the
survey of disabilities in India.
Difference Between Disability And Long-Term Care Insurance-
Most of the time, these insurance policies overlap and misunderstood to be more
or less the same. However, there are unique elements in each insurance that
distinguishes one from the other. Ostensibly, both help in financial planning,
nevertheless, have distinct characteristics. Disability insurance is monthly
benefits provided to the disabled and his family only for a specific time or
until the retirement age, which is usually 65 years. While, having a long-term
care insurance extends until the maturity or as long as such care and services
is necessary for the insured.
Hybrid of Disability And Long-Term Care Insurance And Its Feasibility In
India-
According to the World Bank, more than 40% of hospitalized people borrow money
or sell assets to cover expenses and 35% fall below the poverty line.
Disability protection and life coverage are ordinarily bought before in life
than long- term care protection. Thus, if hybrids of long term care protection
with both of these two kinds of protection were showcased to people at ages when
incapacity and life coverage are ordinarily advertised, these combinations could
have a helpful impact of empowering the growth of such insurances.
In India, the recognition for hybrid insurance models began around the early
months of 2015 and later on based on the report conferred by the Confederation
of Indian Industries (CII) recommended the introduction of hybrid model as an
implementation step towards universal health coverage. Thus, the IRDA in 2016
introduced the IRDA (Health Insurance) Regulations 2016 which covered hybrid or
combinations plans of health insurance with any life insurance plan, which is
still practiced in India. However, what observe that the scope of hybrid
insurance plans in India is only limited to life insurance. The development in
such area is the need of the hour. Even with the existence of disability
insurance, the concept of long term care insurance is relatively new term,
though they maybe a part of the health insurance per se. However, it is not
always necessary that all health insurance plans are also long-term care
insurance plans.
Conclusion-
It creates the impression that undeniable hybrids that significantly protect
against the dangers secured by the both the protection plans are uncommon in the
market. This may demonstrate that one potential interest of hybrid insurance of
long-term care is that they enable the purchaser to buy one strategic plan that
guarantees against two dangers, despite the fact that scope will be restricted
for the existence of both the risks. Rather, the protection gives the
adaptability of paying out which is subjected upon which misfortune happens
first and repayment for the same. The hybrid protection items may subsequently
exhibit one approach to accomplish a fractional and second-best answer for the
issue of numerous critical dangers. The few long- term care insurance hybrid
with disability protection plan are deserving of further examination. Such
combinations can enable the purchaser to assess in a reasonable procedure, the
potential needs to supplant income lost because of incapacity and in addition to
pay for that might be required health care services and necessities because of
the handicap, and may advice the insured to buy an insurance on the risk that
has not been covered under the combined risk. At the same time, it is better
than getting separate insurance covers for varied misfortunes that may be the
result of disability. Therefore, hybrid protection items will require a well
aware customer with a specific end goal to settle on the money-related choice
that is best for him or her. This type of insurance has been emerging aspect and
since IRDA is gradually recognizing this insurance product, it can be inferred
that the need is real, and the government must act swiftly for consumer
protection.
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