New insurance policies for advocates

The Bar Council of Andhra Pradesh has introduced Group Mediclaim and Group Personal Accident Policies for advocates on rolls at the Bar. This is being done to shoulder the burden of advocates at the time of contingency.

A Narasimha Reddy, chairman of the Bar Council, stated that this year also the National Insurance Company will provide Mediclaim Policy to the tune of Rs 1 lakh to advocates and their family members and personal accident policy for a sum of Rs 5 lakh.

These policies will be adopted in a single slot and will come into force from February 22. The last date for submitting the forms is February 15. The premium payable for a sum of Rs 1,00,000 is Rs 4,500 for self, Rs 7,050 for coverage of 1+3 (advocate, spouse and 2 dependent children -- son should be below the age of 21 and unmarried daughter below the age of 25) and Rs 12,000 for coverage of 1+5 (advocate, spouse, 2 dependent children and parents, to a maximum age of 80 years for advocates as well as parents.)

The Mediclaim policy covers pre-existing diseases and ailments without any waiting period and also provides maternity benefits. The policy is a floater policy and the insured sum can be utilised by any of the family members under the scheme.

The Group Personal Accident Policy is also being provided for a sum of Rs 5 lakh on payment of Rs 150, which also covers permanent total disablement. The same is applicable only to advocates, but not to their family members, which will be provided only on taking the Group Mediclaim Policy.