Earthquake victims to be prioritized in their insurance claims

THE Insurance Commission has activated its disaster response mechanism to fast-track claims from earthquake-affected residents of Mindanao.

Insurers have been requested to ease claim requirements such as documentary proofs, the agency said in a statement yesterday.

Under the mechanism, a Claims Action Center was set up and insured victims can process their legitimate insurance claims.

“We directed insurance companies to put up a system to guarantee the speedy processing of claims upon submission of minimum documentary requirements,” Insurance Commissioner Dennis Funa said.

“We requested insurance providers to relax claims requirements such as documentary evidence and notices of loss for the victims of the earthquakes in Mindanao,” he added.

Headquartered in the Davao District Office of the agency, the claims center started operating on Nov. 4. Mr. Funa said they would require insurance companies to file reports on the number and types of insurance claims filed and the amounts released.

At least 12 people died in the quake that hit central Mindanao on Oct. 29, while 12 more died in a temblor that followed two days later, the commission said, citing a report by the national disaster agency. About 28,932 structures were also damaged. — Luz Wendy T. Noble