Irdai asks insurers not reject claims on grounds of genetic disorder

MUMBAI: The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority has asked all insurance companies not to include ‘Genetic Disorders’ as one of the exclusions in new health insurance policies issued in respect of all their existing health insurance products after a ruling by Delhi High court.

The court has directed all insurance companies offering health insurance that no claim in respect of any existing health insurance policy shall be rejected based on exclusions related to ‘Genetic Disorder’.

In the matter of United India Insurance versus Jai Parkash Tayal, Delhi high court held that the exclusionary clause of ‘Genetic Disorders’, in the insurance policy, is too broad, ambiguous and discriminatory – hence violative of Article 14 of the Constitution of India.


The court directed Irdai to re-look the exclusionary clauses in insurance contracts and ensure that insurance companies do not reject claims on the basis of exclusions relating to genetic disorders.