Faster insurance claims processing for Yolanda victims

MANILA, Philippines – Typhoon-stricken communities in Visayas can expect faster processing and release of insurance claims.

In a statement on Tuesday, December 3, the Department of Finance said the Insurance Commission has launched the program, “Agarang Proseso, Benepisyo ay Sigurado,” which will set up “Claims Action Centers” (CACs) in various areas in Visayas.

Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) struck the Visayas region on November 8, killing at least 5,600 people and  causing P34.3 billion damage to infrastructure and agriculture, according to the latest report of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

So far, CLIMBS Life and General Insurance Cooperative, a life and property insurer that is composed of more than 2,000 members, has established CACs in Ormoc City and in Cebu City, the DOF statement said.

Another CAC will be set up by CLIMBS in Tacloban City that will be operational on December 8. 

Other non-life insurance companies will also deploy their personnel to Visayas this week to expedite the processing and release of insurance proceeds for covered typhoon victims.

DOF also said that microinsurance providers released substantial amounts of claims for covered fisherfolk, farmers, vendors and members of the marginalized sector in Tacloban, Ormoc, Samar, Southern Leyte and Biliran, as well as other affected areas.

The following amounts have been released by microinsurance providers:

P83,641,400 – non-life claims

P811,000 – death claims

P680,000 – relief assistance

Microinsurance companies additionally approved the release of P110 million to more than 19,000 beneficiaries and claimants in Visayas this week. These companies will deploy their personnel to put up a CAC and facilitate the release of claims at the Tacloban City Hall on December 13.

In the meantime, the Insurance Commission is mulling requiring insurance providers to relax claims requirements such as documentary evidence and notices of loss for victims of Typhoon Yolanda. The commission said insurers may use “satellite imaging” or “crisis mapping” as basis for the payment of property insurance proceeds.

Supplemental budget

In another development, Davao Rep Karlo Nograles, chair of the House committee on labor and employment, on Tuesday urged the Aquino government to appropriate a portion of the proposed P14.6-billion supplemental budget for livelihood creation and job generation in areas ravaged by Yolanda. 

“A part of the budget for rehabilitation should go to job generation because we have to get the money flowing,” Nograles said in a media briefing. 

He added that both the Department of Labor and Employment and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority should be provided with funds from the supplemental budget. 

The International Labor Organization said some 5.6 million workers lost their livelihood, temporarily or permanently, because of Yolanda.

The Aquino administration outlined a massive rehabilitation plan for Yolanda areas that will cost at least P40 billion. It appointed former senator Panfilo Lacson as the “czar” for rehab efforts. – Rappler.com