Insurance regulator IRDAI on Monday allowed insurers to continue selling and renewing short-term Covid specific health insurance policies till March 2022.

Amid rising number of coronavirus cases in the country, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) had last year asked all insurance companies to come out with 'Corona Kavach' policies (standard indemnity based health policy) and 'Corona Rakshak' policies (standard benefit-based health policy).

Several insurance companies had come out with short-term products, which became popular because of lower premiums compared to regular health insurance policies.

In a circular, the regulator said all insurers are 'permitted to offer and renew' short-term Covid specific health policies up to March 31, 2022.