THE INSURERS

Insurance companies are watching medical research closely to see if they will have to adjust the cost of cover for people who had Covid.

Any evidence of long-term damage on vital organs could make policies more expensive, according to experts.

It comes as research is beginning to reveal if patients with the virus can suffer long-term damage.

The Association of British Insurers says it is monitoring data on the long-term impact Covid has on the future health of policy holders, saying: “Insurers are committed to helping people get the cover they need and will regularly review their approaches as new data and medical understanding of Covid-19 develops.”

Research from Glasgow University has uncovered lung damage in some recovered Covid patients who had been so seriously ill they needed hospital treatment.

A number will make good recoveries but others are still recovering more than seven months later.

Leading longevity specialist Conor O’reilly said: “The long-term impact on vital organs could make some people a considerable long-term risk. Insurers will be examining carefully all the data.”

Mr O’reilly, an actuary from Club Vita Actuaries, added: “There are life insurers who will lose out because they did not plan for a pandemic but who now have to pay out on policies held by previously healthy people. Pension funds who do not have to pay out for people who died earlier than expected will benefit.”