12 insurance policies settled for M’sians missing after Nepal floods
KUALA LUMPUR: Insurance claims involving Malaysians missing after flash floods in Nepal are being progressively settled, with at least 12 policies already paid out to their next of kin, says the General Insurance Association of Malaysia (PIAM).
Its chief executive officer Chua Kim Soon said preliminary records showed more than 50 insurance policies linked to the incident.
“We expect more of these matters to be resolved in the coming weeks. We will also continue providing support to the next of kin of those missing,” he said after PIAM’s Monsoon Readiness Media Roundtable yesterday.
He added that the more than 50 insurance policies do not immediately refer to 50 separate individuals.
According to Chua, the identified policies include travel insurance, annual personal accident insurance and group personal accident coverage.
Chua said that the insurance industry has been working with Bank Negara to reach out to the next of kin and family members of the missing Malaysians.
“We want to make sure that if there are any insurance policies, the claims will be expedited as fast as possible.
“The biggest challenge still remains determining these individuals’ status.”
He also said those requiring further support on insurance claims can reach out to PIAM for assistance.
On Aug 26, devastating flash floods struck the Nepal-China border, killing more than 1,400 people to date, while thousands more remain missing.
Previously, families of 28 victims of the flood that struck the Nepal-Tibet border region on Aug 26 were found to be eligible for benefits amounting to RM174,000 from the Social Security Organisation (PERKESO).
Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan had said that PERKESO had screened 54 victims and found that 28 met the contribution requirements for benefits to be paid to their eligible next of kin.
He said the family members would receive an immediate financial assistance payment of RM3,000, and would also be eligible for Survivors’ Pension under the Invalidity Scheme.
Ramanan said the payment process will begin once the relevant information and documents have been completed.
According to an analysis by the United States Geological Survey, the collapse of a Himalayan glacier was believed to have triggered the incident, generating energy equivalent to a magnitude 5.2 earthquake. A total of 54 Malaysians remain missing.
