Insurers will encourage policyholders to use electronic communication for filing the claim and ensure digital processes for the assessment of claims To mitigate the hardship caused to the affected insured population because of cyclones Tauktae and Yass in states such as Maharashtra, Gujarat, Odisha, and West Bengal, Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (Irdai) have issued guidelines to live, general and standalone health insurance companies for quick registration and settlement of eligible claims.
Guidelines from Irdai
Insurance companies will have to nominate a senior officer at the company level who would act as a nodal officer for the affected states. The officer will coordinate the receipt, processing, and settlement of all eligible claims. The nodal officer will establish contact with the chief secretary or the officer concerned of the state governments for subsequent follow-up.
General insurers must ensure that all claims are surveyed immediately by engaging an adequate number of surveyors and that claim payments are disbursed at the earliest. Insurers will encourage policyholders to use electronic communication fto file the claim and ensure digital processes for assessing claims.
The regulator’s guidelines underline immediate action for life insurers o ensure that all reported claims are registered and eligible claims are settled promptly. Special attention is to be given to Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana’s (PMJJBY) shares. In case of loss of life, where there is difficulty obtaining a death certificate due to non-recovery of the body, the process followed in the Chennai floods in 2015 will have to be considered. Irdai has asked insurers to submit a weekly state-wise progress report on claims settled. PMJJBY claims data need to be submitted separately in total shares. If a person has a householder’s, house, or motor policy, he can file for claims settlement. The policyholder should not remove items from the place of occurrence as the insurer will depute a loss assessor to inspect the affected site or the damaged property. All the things must be allowed for inspection in the ‘as is where’ conditHe should inform the company ifn. If he cannot locate the insurance pmpany.
Home insurance policies cover building and household goods; a policyholder can claim the cost of repairing the building and furniture, electronic goods, clothing, etc. In the claims form, the policyholder must give personal details and the details of the damage. An insurance company assesses the damage, and the claim amount will be fixed. Suppose the policyholder is not satisfied with the assessment of loss made by the insurer. In that case, he must insist that the insurance company review the evaluation before signing the discharge voucher to settle claims.
