What is war or nuclear attack in health insurance?

These are strange and unstable times we live in. Almost every continent is under some kind of geopolitical/political tension. India is not immune to such tensions, as the country has been plagued by terrorist attacks and wars right from the time it attained nationhood. Every time a skirmish happens at the borders, the possibility of escalation is always on the cards. With these threats looming large, can one depend on health insurance to take care of the fallout from war and nuclear attacks? Let’s find out.

These are strange and unstable times we live in. Almost every continent is...

How does health insurance treat war and nuclear claims?

Unfortunately, health insurance doesn’t cover the cost of injuries and treatment sustained from wars and nuclear attacks. They are a part of specific exclusions, which are common across the board for health insurance plans in the country. Here are some of the specific exclusions found in standard health insurance policies when it comes to combat and nuclear threats in India:

War

Any health-related fallout due to conflicts will not be covered by health insurance. This includes injuries from:

war (declared/undeclared)
invasion by foreign enemies
civil war
revolutions
military coups

Nuclear attacks

Any health-related fallout from nuclear attacks and the resulting radioactivity is not eligible for coverage under health insurance plans. This includes:

illnesses
disabilities
death

Why are conflicts such as wars and nuclear attacks excluded from health insurance coverage?

Here are some reasons why health insurers don’t entertain claims related to war and nuclear threats.

Scale

When a war or a nuclear event takes place, the destruction is not limited to just a few people, as large swaths of citizenry are affected. This is beyond the scope of what a health insurance provider can do, as it can destroy the insurance company’s business due to the sheer scale and unpredictability of casualties and the resultant claims.

Infrastructure collapse

In times of war and nuclear attacks, the entire healthcare ecosystem, including hospitals, could be difficult to access or even completely decimated. This also limits what health insurance can do at such times.

Force majeure

War is considered a force majeure, an act/event that cannot be controlled by anyone. Insurance companies are usually exempt from providing coverage under such circumstances.

Global standards

Nuclear war has catastrophic and far-reaching consequences. The aftereffects stemming from such warfare are considered to be uninsurable globally.

Governmental response

The fallout from war and nuclear attacks can be crippling and severe. The response to such events has to be well thought out, immediate, large-scale, and sustained over a long period of time. Governments usually have some sort of contingency plan in place for such events, as they require massive amounts of resources and coordination, which can’t be provided by individual insurance companies.

Moral hazard

During uncertain times, people behave in an unpredictable manner. Some use health insurance as a fallback, thinking that whatever happens, health insurance can take care of them. This can lead to some risky behaviour, like ignoring calls for evacuation, creating a moral hazard. Health insurance companies also want to avoid such situations; hence, they don’t offer coverage during wartime.

The consequences of war and nuclear attacks are so far-reaching that health insurance companies can’t handle them on their own. It needs a full-fledged response from those in power. But there are products, such as life insurance in the insurance sector, that may specifically address some war-related issues. Do read all the clauses and exclusions in such cases before committing to such insurance policies to see if they meet your needs.

Frequently asked questions

Will health insurance cover health-related claims resulting from wars?

No, health insurance companies don’t entertain such claims. Wars are one of the exclusions in a standard health insurance policy in India. Some insurers may offer limited coverage in case of a terrorist attack, but do read your offer document to see if such a clause is included in the plan.

Do illnesses resulting from nuclear attacks fall under health insurance coverage?

No, any illness that occurs due to radiation stemming from a nuclear attack will not be covered by a health insurance plan in India.

Does insurance cover against war?

Most insurance products designed for your vehicle, properties, and health do not cover damage incurred from war.

Which insurance can offer protection against war?

There may be a few life insurance policies that can offer some coverage in such cases if you are not a war combatant. Do read the fine print before opting for such schemes.

What does health insurance in India not cover?

Health insurance in India doesn’t cover injuries and treatments sustained from war and nuclear attack. There are other standard exclusions, such as cosmetic procedures, substance abuse, self-harm, and sexually transmitted diseases, which are also not covered by a health insurance policy.

Written by Roocha Kanade

2.5K Linkedin Followers

Reviewed by Dr. Harshita Dahiya

Health Insurance content enthusiast who turns complex topics into easy, binge-worthy reads—fueled by SEO, creativity, and way too much chai! Loves juggling multiple projects, cracking impossible deadlines, and sprinkling humor into the mix. When not geeking out over digital trends, you'll find her lurking on Quora and Reddit, planning the next getaway, or passionately decoding all things health and insurance!