To maintain transparency and accountability, the task force will develop a mechanism for obtaining daily and weekly claim settlement reports from various insurers.
Published Aug 08, 2024 | 6:50 PM ⚊ Updated Aug 08, 2024 | 6:50 PM
The 2024 Wayanad landslides were one of the deadliest disasters in Kerala's history. (X)
In the wake of the devastating landslides that ravaged Meppadi, Punjirimattom, Mundakkai, Chooralmala, Attamala and Kunhome villages in Wayanad district of Kerala on 30 July, a specialised task force has been set up to ensure swift and efficient processing of insurance claims of the affected communities.
The team began work on Tuesday, 6 August offering support to victims by processing insurance claims expeditiously.
Acknowledging the severe impact of the landslides— which tragically resulted in the loss of lives and extensive destruction of movable and immovable property— the government emphasised the critical need for a streamlined mechanism to facilitate the rapid resolution of insurance claims from various agencies.
The task force will mainly consider claims regarding, life insurance, vehicle insurance, house insurance, crop insurance, and livestock insurance.
The task force is led by the deputy district collector (revenue recovery) of Wayanad, and the lead district manager serves as the convenor. The general manager of the District Industries Centre, Wayanad, and the deputy director of the district statistics and economics department serve as members of the team.
The initiative follows a crucial meeting on 5 August between the home secretary and the State Level Bankers’ Committee, bankers, and various insurance agencies.
The primary responsibility of the task force is to gather data on insurance claims from the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) and the affected parties. “This data is essential for ensuring prompt processing by insurers. The task force will also oversee the submission process, assisting those who face difficulties filing their paperwork,” an official with the Wayanad DDMA told South First.
According to the official, a key function of the task force will be to serve as a single point of contact for insurance agencies and banks regarding insurance claims as this centralised approach aims to streamline communication and reduce delays in the claim settlement process.
To maintain transparency and accountability, the task force will develop a mechanism for obtaining daily and weekly claim settlement reports from various insurers. These reports will be submitted to the DDMA and the state nodal officer, the executive director of Kudumbashree. This will ensure prompt resolution of any bottlenecks.
Help desks will be set up at relief camps, panchayat and village offices; the task force itself will remain accessible to those who have lost moveable or immovable property and need to claim insurance. An insurance surveyor mentioned that some evidence would be required to ensure that claims are genuine and the required documentation is completed.
“Insurance claims for shops, houses, vehicles or other property damaged by the landslides will be processed; in such a situation, the insurance company may waive some requirements, but proof of some form will be necessary,” the surveyor said, adding that houses on which housing loans exist are covered by insurance policies.
“Banks typically grant housing loans with an accompanying insurance policy. If a house has been constructed using a loan amount of ₹10 lakh, the insurance company will process the claim for the full amount and transfer it to the concerned bank.
However, if the loanee had repaid only ₹5 lakhs, the bank will deduct ₹5 lakh from the credited claim and hand over the remaining half to the loanee,” the surveyor explained, adding that in his experience, people rarely insure their shops or shop items. He explained that most claims are likely to relate to damage to vehicles. “Other kinds of insurance are likely to be a rarity,” the surveyor said.
The convenor of the task force, Muraleedharan TM, told South First: “If applicants could provide detailed information, it would be of great help in the processing of claims by banks and insurance companies. The absence of full names and incomplete addresses could pose difficulties. We have decided to deploy special teams to the relief camps to lessen the complication involved in the processing of claims.”
(Edited by Rosamma Thomas)
