Finally, a special cover for differently-abled children

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INSURANCE

By Vilasini Roy

Illustration: Naorem Ashish

IN INDIA, insurance for children with special needs has never been easy. Companies are reluctant to come forward, and when at all they do, they charge very high premiums. But things are starting to look up. The National Trust, under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, has tied up with private sector Bajaj Allianz to offer Asmita, a group insurance scheme, tapping economies of scale while offering lower premiums. The Trust was set up to help children suffering from autism, cerebral palsy, mental retardation and multiple disabilities.

Under the scheme, the parent/guardian pays an annual premium, based on their age — from Rs 1,490 for 18-year-olds to Rs 14,780 for 59-year-olds. Upon their death the sum assured — Rs 10 lakh — is given by the insurance firm to the Trust, which pays for services like healthcare, group shelter and individual caregiver facilities. Even those not related to the child can pay the premium. On the payer’s death, the money goes to the child named or designated by the Trust. Says Atul Prasad, its joint secretary and CEO: “The idea is to create a common networking platform for parents and well-wishers of those with disabilities. The margins in the premium will be used to cross-subsidise the poor in the long run, making care-giving possible for those who can’t afford it.”

According to a 2002 survey by the National Sample Survey Organisation, about two percent of Indians suffer from some disability; and of them, only 49 percent are literate and 34 percent can hold down jobs. Public facilities, too, remain woefully inadequate.

Parents and guardians constantly worry about leaving challenged kids in other people’s care. Geet Oberoi, who runs Orkids, an organisation for children with special needs, says most parents are clueless about how their wards’ long term needs can be channelled. “They find no one to guide them,” says Oberoi. And only a few are able to form parents’ associations or trusts.

But there’s scepticism too. Says Madhusudan Srinivas, a parent: “I am not looking for institutional support for my son and do not know whether the facilities provided by the National Trust will be adequate.” Superstition is another roadblock. An earlier attempt by LIC to offer a pre-natal insurance against disabilities was refused by parents who feared it might invite ‘bad luck’.

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