Hurtfie, killfie: Will insurers pay claims linked to selfie accidents?

Mumbai Police pulled up actor Varun Dhawan last week after he was spotted at a traffic signal partly out of his car's window as he took a ‘selfie’ with a female fan travelling in an auto rickshaw. In October, a 17-year-old student from Bengaluru purportedly drowned while taking a selfie at a pond. And some months back, a man fell off a train for a dramatic selfie, while 4 friends died trying to save him. Little wonder why the craze for the perfect selfie has made India the no. 1 in such accidents. Clearly, a selfie can become a ‘hurtfie’ and even a ‘killfie’. With so many people taking life insurance, accident insurance, and health insurance policies these days, the important question is whether insurers cover such incidents and pay resulting claims? DNA Money spoke with experts on the matter and lists the key things you must remember.

Accident insurance: An accident is defined as an unexpected incident that causes damage or injury. Accident insurance policies are extremely cheap, with some costing less than Rs 1000/year. If you get hurt by falling from a tree or get struck by a vehicle while posing or taking a selfie, questions will be raised whether it is indeed an accident.

Rajiv Kumar, MD & CEO, Universal Sompo General Insurance says: “Social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp have led to the steady rise of 'selfie craze'. Many accidental insurance policies will not approve claims if the insured injures himself while posing for a selfie as a result of gross negligence or a reckless act. Policies won't pay out if, injury or death is directly or indirectly caused by exposing yourself to significant risk or whilst engaging in hazardous activities.”

In case of personal accidents, death certificate, a copy of the FIR and doctor’ death certificate are required in case of death. In case of disability, a copy of the FIR, a certificate confirming disability by a recognized government hospital, and a self-attested letter narrating the incident are required.

Hospital expenses cover: While you may not die from a selfie-linked injury always, you can require hospitalization.

Dhruv Sarin, head of health insurance, Policybazaar.com says: “While selfie-linked injuries are not strictly excluded, any hospitalization will be tested for whether the customer took due regard with respect to one’s own safety and whether there was a sufficient element of self-inflicted risk. In such cases, the permanent exclusion provision may be invoked.”

Kumar of Universal Sompo agrees. “Medical insurance does not cover selfie linked accidental hospitalization or consultation if the injury is related directly or indirectly due to exposing to significant risk. Posing for a selfie in a difficult situation can be termed as a hazardous activity,” he adds. Expenses for hospitalization or outpatient treatment under mediclaim insurance policies are not covered for insured persons whilst engaged in hazardous activities.

In case of health insurance claims, documents required can range from original bills of hospitalisation, discharge summary, a letter from the doctor and self-attested letter, narrating the reason for hospitalisation.

Death claims: A selfie may be the last picture you take, but will life insurance firms pay out claims where deaths are linked to selfie? Anil P M, head - legal and compliance and chief compliance officer, Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance says life Insurance claim will be paid if a policyholder dies during taking a selfie, provided the incident is accidental in nature.

“However we would caution our customers not to put themselves in danger while taking a selfie,” he advises. After receiving a claim, companies would first call for an FIR (First Information Report) to establish circumstances to rule out the possibility of suicide. “Basis the verification, all valid claims would be paid,” Anil added.

Dhruv Sarin of Policybazaar.com pointed out that if the person has not died in the incident and only met with an accident, the insured has to submit a police investigation report which will clarify whether the incident had happened due to negligence. “Usually, claims arising due to negligence are rejected by the insurance companies,” he added

In case of natural death, additional documents required include attending physician's statement and medical records. In case of an accidental/unnatural death case, copies of FIR or panchanama/police complaint, post-mortem report/autopsy, and viscera report and the final police investigation report/charge sheet may be required.

...& ANALYSIS

• Social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp have led to 'selfie craze'
   
• Claims against accident policy may not be approved if the insured is injured while posing for a selfie as a result of a reckless act
   
• Even any hospitalisation will be tested for whether the customer took due regard with respect to one’s own safety
   
• Life insurance claim will be paid if a policyholder dies during taking a selfie, provided the incident is accidental in nature