World · East Asia & Pacific · 16 hrs ago
South Korean court rejects insurer’s claim that stroke cover was time-barred
A South Korean court sided with an insured person in a dispute over a stroke insurance payout.
The person had bought a policy in 2010 that promised 20 million won for a confirmed stroke diagnosis.
The insurer argued the claim was too late, saying the stroke had already occurred during a 2021 hospital stay and the three-year deadline had passed.
Medical reviews found no stroke in scans from 2021 or August 2023, but found new stroke damage in February 2024.
The court accepted that the 2024 stroke was a separate illness from the bleeding caused by the earlier head injury.
The ruling means the insurer’s time-limit argument did not defeat the claim, though the account does not say whether the insurer has paid.
People should claim illness-related insurance within three years of diagnosis to reduce the risk of a dispute over the deadline.
A South Korean court rejected an insurer’s claim that a stroke insurance claim was time-barred.
The insurer argued that the policyholder’s stroke had begun in 2021, more than three years before she claimed benefits.
A medical review found no acute stroke in 2021 or in an August 2023 scan, but identified a new stroke in February 2024.
The court accepted the review’s finding that the 2024 stroke was separate from the earlier head injury.
The policyholder had claimed 20 million won in benefits in October 2024.
- Who
- A policyholder identified as A and her insurer.
- What
- The court rejected the insurer’s claim that A’s stroke benefit claim was time-barred.
- When
- A was diagnosed with a stroke in February 2024 and claimed benefits in October 2024. The article does not state the date of the court ruling.
- Where
- South Korea; the article does not identify the court.
- Why
- The medical review found the 2024 stroke was a new condition, not one that had begun in 2021.
The policyholder
The insurer
Claim timing
The policyholder
A claimed the benefit after a stroke diagnosis in 2024.
The insurer
The insurer argued the stroke had occurred by July 2021, so the claim made in October 2024 came after the three-year deadline.
Eligibility
The policyholder
A sought the policy’s 20 million won stroke benefit.
The insurer
The insurer also argued there was insufficient evidence that a stroke diagnosis had been confirmed.
A took out a policy providing 20 million won if a stroke diagnosis was confirmed.
A was admitted to hospital after a head injury and was diagnosed with traumatic subarachnoid haemorrhage.
An MRI showed no signs of stroke.
An MRI identified a new stroke, and A was diagnosed with stroke and dementia.
A claimed 20 million won in stroke benefits; the insurer refused payment and sued to confirm it had no liability.
- Policy benefit
- 20 million won
- Policy taken out
- 2010
- Head injury admission
- July 2021
- Stroke diagnosis
- February 2024
- Benefit claim
- October 2024
What people are saying
For insurance benefits related to a disease diagnosis, you must claim within three years from the time the diagnosis is confirmed.
If you delay making a claim, you should be aware that a dispute with the insurer over the claim’s limitation period may arise.