What Are Vector-Borne Diseases?

Research states that India ranks fourth globally in the total number of malaria cases. Malaria is considered to be a vector-borne disease generated by the plasmodium parasite, which is transmitted to humans through mosquito bites. Besides malaria, numerous other vector-borne diseases are triggered by bloodsucking insects like triatomine bugs, fleas, flies, sandflies, ticks, and mosquitoes like dengue, chikungunya, kala-azar, zika virus, filariasis, and Japanese encephalitis.

It is vital to emphasise that vector-borne illness accounts for over 17% of every infectious disease, killing over 700,000 people every year. Many people who suffer from vector-borne diseases die due to a lack of funds for medical treatment or the inability to obtain the best therapy at the right time.

Thus, Tata AIG has developed health insurance policies to prevent patients from feeling powerless if they are diagnosed with vector-borne diseases and cannot afford treatment.

As there has been loads of awareness about various illnesses and viral infections since the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19), it has served as a sharp reminder of the significance of health as well as healthcare infrastructure. As a reputable health insurance company, we consider awareness the first step in any form of advancement, including the progression we make toward our general health and well-being.

So, consider purchasing health insurance with vector-borne disease coverage to ensure adequate financial protection against such diseases. Such a policy for you must provide ideal coverage while not drying your bank accounts, and our policies rightly tick all the boxes.

We have penned this health reference on vector-borne transmissions for you to know. Everything from vector-borne diseases in India to the many types of diseases and treatments almost commonly spread to shield yourself from them is listed here. Continue reading to learn more. But first, we understand why you should consider purchasing vector-borne disease health insurance cover.

If you got your answer to "what is a vector-borne disease", you should be aware that different nations are affected differently by vector-borne diseases depending on their population and climate. There are essentially five vector mode diseases that are endemic or were widespread in India:

• Dengue Fever

Dengue fever is a persistent vector-borne disease in our country, transmitted by the bite of the daytime feeding mosquito - Aedes Aegypti. Every year, thousands are affected in India, particularly during the monsoon season. Dengue fever, like most vector-borne diseases, causes flu-like symptoms. It dehydrates the body and causes blood loss.

• Malaria

Research states that India ranks fourth globally in the total number of malaria cases. It is considered a pandemic in our country. It is transmitted by the bite of a female mosquito - Anopheles, which is a carrier of the Plasmodium parasite. Even though India wants to be free of malaria by the end of 2030, it now accounts for over 87 per cent of malaria infections in South-East Asia. Malaria may now be addressed with competent medical care.

• Zika Virus Infection

You have certainly heard of the Zika virus and read a lot while flying overseas at airports (before coronavirus, of course!) The first occurrence of the disease in India was in 2018. The central health officials launched several testing procedures; it was later discovered that about 157 persons were sick and tested positive. The Zika virus is caused by the same mosquito that spreads dengue disease, yellow fever, and chikungunya. It also bites throughout the day. Although it's not life-threatening, it's reported to cause serious abnormalities in babies if a pregnant woman gets infected with it.

• Japanese Encephalitis

This disease is lesser known yet quite frequent in India, particularly among children aged 3 to 6 years. This disease affects humans and animals and is transmitted by pigs, mosquitoes, and waterfowl. In Asia, it's the leading cause of inflammation of one or several areas of the brain). Last year, over 150 newborns and kids perished from this viral illness after consuming infected litchis in Muzaffarpur, Bihar. Every year, between 1,500 and 4,000 instances are recorded in India.

• Nipah Virus Infection

This virus is spread to people by animals such as infected bats and pigs. There was an outbreak of the Nipah Virus in 2001, and it was discovered that it might transmit from one sick individual to another. The virus is most commonly spread across India and Bangladesh via date palm saps infected with fruit bat saliva or urine. Like other viruses, the symptoms of this viral infection are flu and can appear five to fourteen days after infection.

The month of June is approaching, with the long-awaited reprieve from the sweltering summer heat. Probably all of us enjoy the monsoon since it brings about a shift in the weather. The dry trees are adorned with beautiful green leaves, and the earth's refreshing aroma raises the spirits. The monsoon is a favourite pastime of both adults and children.

While the rain helps to keep the earth's temperature down, as time passes, it begins to hobble with a new set of issues. Waterlogging, for example, is causing an exponential increase in occurrences of vector-borne diseases. While purchasing health insurance with vector-borne disease cover is a preventive step, there are a few things you can do to protect yourself.

• To begin, while certain vector-borne diseases do not currently have vaccines, there are plenty that does. As a result, if you reside in a region where there is a danger of vector-borne illnesses, you must get vaccinated as recommended by your doctor. It's especially critical to visit a place where there is even a remote possibility of sickness. Before going, ensure you're up to date on your vaccinations and obtain your doctor's advice on any medications or several other precautions you might require before and during your trip.
• You should avoid contact with sick people's blood, body fluids, secretions, etc.
• Maintain proper cleanliness at all times, like food hygiene, and please avoid unpasteurised dairy items in locations where tick encephalitis might be spread.
• If you reside in a high-risk location or the season for a certain disease (dengue), it is best to wear long-sleeved and light-coloured clothes. And do not forget to apply insect repellents on clothing and exposed body parts to avoid getting bitten by sandflies, mosquitoes, or ticks.

Nobody can have sufficient medical insurance for themselves or their loved ones nowadays. Because of the uncertainties of health issues, illnesses are rising. People today are increasingly prone to various diseases, let alone unintentional health problems. Therefore it's necessary to have a solid medical insurance plan to provide enough financial assistance against such conditions.

Nevertheless, because medical inflation is increasing on a daily basis, even a basic medical insurance policy can not be enough to assure comprehensive health coverage for you and your loved ones. For this reason, it's prudent to get a vector-borne disease policy in addition to a regular health insurance policy.

• Coverage Against Vector-Borne Disease

By purchasing a vector-borne disease policy, you'll be able to conveniently supplement the coverage provided by your current medical insurance policy. As a consequence, if you're ever diagnosed with vector-borne diseases like malaria or chikungunya, you'll have appropriate financial assistance.

• Financial Security for Your Savings

You'll have to bear the financial burden of enormous medical expenditures resulting from vector-borne disease treatment if you do not have medical insurance covering vector-borne diseases. You might lose all of your funds or be compelled to go into debt. None of them is a viable alternative for long-term financial security. Your savings are sacred, and you should never use them. And here is when a vector-borne disease insurance policy might come in handy.

After all, effective treatment and healthcare are more important than anything else in the battle against infections and viruses.

With Tata AIG, you may receive one of India's top vector-borne disease policies and medical insurance coverage. Our vector-borne disease insurance policy has several features that make it the #BestBet for you. The following benefits from Tata AIG Vector-borne disease insurance:

• **Financial Assistance **: You can say goodbye to your financial worries throughout treatment by choosing the Tata AIG vector-borne d, disease policy. Under our vector-borne disease coverage plan, we give an enormous payout of your total sum assured.

• Seek a Second Opinion: If you plan to get a second opinion on your vector-borne disease diagnosis, you may do so without distressing about the costs since we will cover them.

• Increase Your Amount Assured : You can do so while renewing the plan if you want to raise the total amount assured under your vector-borne disease insurance.

• No-fuss Online Process: Because digitalisation has been a blessing to all of us, purchasing a medical insurance policy is now easier than ever. Everything from purchasing health insurance or a vector-borne disease cover to renewing it and submitting a claim is relatively effortless.

• Monthly Income Benefit: The total value of the amount insured under your vector-borne disease cover can assist in compensating for any loss of your monthly income that can occur as a result of your incapacity to work full-time soon after vector-borne disease diagnosis. It protects you and your loved ones against financial hardship as a result of vector-borne disease treatment.

Purchasing vector-borne disease insurance from Tata AIG provides policyholders with several substantial benefits. Some are listed below:

• Keeps You Ready for the Unplanned: Tata AIG medical insurance aims to ensure that you're financially backed in sickness or condition. While we are typically hopeful that nothing terrible is going to happen to us, it is a wise idea to be proactive and shield yourself with medical insurance.

• Get Top-Notch Healthcare for Treatment : Healthcare is extortionate, yet when you're sick. The last thing you want to sacrifice is your health. A medical insurance policy purchased from Tata AIG can protect you financially. We strictly believe in not placing a financial strain on our policyholders, allowing you to pick and get excellent treatment without worry.

• Say bye to Financial Worries : When you're not feeling well, probably the last thing you need is to be anxious about anything else. In such a scenario, cash! Tata AIG's medical insurance policy protects you financially if you or one of your loved ones contract a vector-borne disease or any other ailment.

• Tax Savings: With a medical insurance policy, you'll not have enough coverage for vector-borne disease treatment but also can claim tax benefits for the premiums you paid for your medical plan. You can claim a tax deduction of ₹25,000 for health insurance premium payments under Section 80D of The Income Act of 1961. This deduction is ₹50,000 for senior citizens.

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Tata AIG provides the best vector-borne disease coverage for our policyholders. Furthermore, purchasing a vector-borne disease cover from us is a simple process. To proceed, complete the following steps:

• You need to visit the official website of Tata AIG and provide us with your contact information.
• Our staff will contact you as soon as possible to assist you in selecting appropriate vector-borne disease coverage.
• You may also contact our customer service department, and we'll handle it.
• Finally, you may select a vector-borne disease cover policy by visiting the local Tata AIG office.

You may also get a medical insurance policy that includes vector-borne disease coverage to receive the benefits of both a vector-borne disease cover and a health insurance policy.

You should understand the included and non-included in a Tata AIG vector-borne disease cover plan:

• Inclusions under the Tata AIG Vector-Borne Disease Cover Plan

• Detection Phase: Vectors are living creatures, like insects and flies, that may transfer infectious illnesses between animals and humans. Diseases caused by vectors are spread when a fly or an insect consumes parasites, bacteria, or viruses from a host and then inserts them into another person. To achieve proper clinical care, diagnosis (accurate) is essential. For several fly-borne diseases, a range of diagnostic approaches is available. The vector-borne disease insurance plan will cover all costs paid throughout the detection phase.

• Consumable Expenditures: Other expenses such as pre-hospitalisation and post-hospitalisation fees, domiciliary hospitalisation, ambulance charges, childcare procedures, associated medical expenses, etc., will be covered by the medical plan.

• Second Opinion Benefits: If you're dissatisfied with your doctor's diagnosis of vector-borne disease, you might seek a second opinion. The medical plan will reimburse any expenditures spent during this period.

• Exclusions under the TATA AIG Vector-Borne Disease Cover Plan

• Only hospitalisation is available if the policyholder tests COVID-19 positive or other vector-borne illnesses;

• From the date of plan initiation, there's a 15-day waiting period;

• Symptomatic therapy isn't covered in the absence of a positive test result;

• Treatment received outside of India isn't covered;

• Comorbidities, whether stated or not, are not covered;

• Hospitalisation costs for any illnesses other than vector-borne or COVID-19 are not covered;

• When they purchase this coverage, members who are already suffering from or diagnosed with vector-borne diseases or coronavirus won't be covered;

• This plan doesn't cover home hospitalisation.

If you want to go through the claim settlement procedure as smoothly as possible, you must present all relevant documents on time. To file a vector-borne disease insurance claim, you must have the few required paperwork. Here is a list of the papers necessary to file such a claim:

• Claim Form: To begin, you must submit an entirely and duly signed health insurance claim application. You may fill out and submit the form online by clicking on this link. You can then follow the status of your claim here. You must notify us and complete this application within one month of receiving a vector-borne disease diagnosis.

• Other Required Documents: As soon as we get your vector-borne disease cover claim application, we'll request that you or whoever is making a claim on your behalf supply the following paperwork:

• All necessary medical records, case histories, treatment documents, investigation results, and hospital discharge documents.

• A comprehensive and precise vector-borne disease diagnosis for which the insurance claim is filed.

• Any other paperwork required by our insurance claim department for the claims procedure.

We will verify the correctness of the paperwork you supplied in support of your insurance claim for vector-borne disease coverage. And we shall take this up within 15 days of your treatment completion or hospital release. If we are happy with your insurance claim form, we will pay the awarded money to you within one month of receiving all relevant paperwork.

You should consider certain critical things while purchasing a vector-borne disease insurance policy. Here are a few examples:

• Amount Insured: Although the Indian medical sector has grown by leaps and bounds, the expense of medical care has also soared. As a result, we advise you to select the amount assured wisely so that you may deal with the disease without financial stress.

• Benefits: Before purchasing vector-borne disease insurance, you must review the policy's characteristics and select the one with the most advantages and features.

• Types of Disease Vectors: It is essential to examine the types of vector-borne diseases covered by the health insurance plan before purchasing them online. You may also compare health insurance plans online and then choose the one that provides the best coverage.

• Waiting Period: Before making an insurance claim, you must be informed that you must first finish the waiting period. As a result, ensure that the policy you select does not include a long waiting time.

• Policy Renewal Period: It's essential to examine the maximum age of the policy renewal and several other terms so that you may continue policy renewal for a longer time and get a significant amount as compensation if something unpleasant occurs.

The premiums you pay for a vector-borne disease coverage plan are tax-deductible under the Income Tax Act of 1961 (Section 80D). Nevertheless, your age group will determine the tax benefits you receive.

Here is a short rundown of the tax advantages of vector-borne disease insurance:

1. While searching for a vector-borne disease insurance cover online, I found Tata AIG’s plan to be the best suited for my family and me. - Ameer Ali

2. I found Tata AIG’s online purchase of vector-borne disease insurance cover to be the most hassle-free one. Extremely happy with the purchase! - Sahana Sen

3. Tata AIG’s insurance coverage plan for vector-borne diseases is the most affordable one. - Jignesh Shah