In the backdrop of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in the country, a message has surfaced on social media platforms claiming that insurance benefits for COVID-19 deaths can be claimed under two of Prime Minister’s Suraksha Yojana Schemes — Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY).
Several users on Facebook users are sharing this message that reads, “If someone in close relative/friends circle has died due to Covid-19 or for any reason, ask the bank for an account statement or passbook entry from 01-04 to 31-03 of the financial year. Seeing the entry of Rs. 12/- or Rs. 330/- , mark it,Go to the bank, and Claim for Insurance. My Humble Request to All of You is that if such cases happen around you.”
The message is also doing rounds on Twitter.
Similar posts can be found here and here.
FACT CHECK
NewsMobile fact-checked the above post and found the claim to be false.
Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 28, 2015. Under this, two schemes were announced for providing social security at affordable premiums for citizens across the country having savings bank accounts.
Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY)
PMJJBY is a one-year life insurance scheme, renewable from year to year, offering coverage for death due to any reason and is available to people in the age group of 18 to 50 years (life cover up to 55 years of age) having a savings bank account who give their consent to join and enable auto-debit.
Under this scheme, a life cover of Rs. 2 lakhs is available for a one-year period stretching from June 1 to May 31 at a premium of Rs 330 per annum per member and is renewable every year. It is offered/administered through LIC and other Indian private Life Insurance companies. For enrollment, banks have tied up with insurance companies.
The assurance on the life of the member shall terminate on any of the following events and no benefit will become payable thereunder:
1) On attaining age 55 years (age near birthday) subject to annual renewal up to that date (entry, however, will not be possible beyond the age of 50 years).
2) Closure of account with the bank or insufficiency of balance to keep the insurance in force.
3) A person can join PMJJBY with one insurance company with one bank account only.
More information about the scheme could be found here.
Therefore, insurance related to COVID-19 deaths can be claimed under this scheme but only if certain conditions are fulfilled. This scheme will not be applicable if the claimant does not have a bank account or does not fall in the age group of ’18-55′. Further, COVID-19 deaths of people older than 55 years are not entitled to payments under this scheme.
Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY)
PMSBY scheme is applicable in cases of accidental deaths or permanent disabilities. According to the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority, accidental death indicates death caused by sudden, unintended, and fortuitous external and visible events. Hence, COVID-19 deaths are not considered accidental deaths.
Therefore, PMJJBY covers COVID-19 deaths but with certain conditions and is only applicable to people between the ages of 18-55 years only who have voluntarily signed up for the scheme that was launched in 2015. PMSBY does not cover COVID-19 deaths since it is only applicable for accidental deaths.
PIB Fact Check has also dismissed the viral claim on Twitter. The government’s fact-checking arm clarified that Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) doesn’t cover COVID-19 related deaths, however, Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) covers COVID-19 deaths with certain conditions.
PIB Fact Check wrote, “Claim: Kins of those who died of COVID-19 can claim insurance under Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) #PIBFactCheck: PMSBY doesn’t cover COVID related deaths, while PMJJBY covers COVID deaths with certain conditions.”
Therefore, the message claiming kins of those who died of COVID-19 can claim insurance under Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) is MISLEADING.
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