Insurance regulator IRDAI has advised insurers in the wake of the Air India plane crash to ensure no claim pertaining to those who died is either denied or delayed on account of procedural formalities.
“Ensure no claim is denied or delayed… in the case of confirmed deceased individuals from the passenger list and persons at the affected buildings of the crash area,” the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India said in a circular to all insurers, reinsurers, Life Insurance Council and General Insurance Council.
It asked the councils to set up a dedicated joint cell at the hospital where those injured after the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed into BJ Medical College hostel and other buildings were getting treatment. This will help provide information to insurers immediately in respect of the claims or any other assistance required for any of their health/life insurance policies.
The London bound Air India Flight 171 had crashed on Thursday minutes after taking off from Ahmedabad resulting in the death of 241 out of 242 people, including 12 crew members, on board. There were also casualties in the neighbourhood following the crash.
Describing it as a moment that calls for compassion, responsiveness and utmost efficiency in supporting affected families, IRDAI wanted all insurers to act immediately as the passenger list has already been released. Since medical insurance cover for overseas travel is mandatory, it wanted them to obtain an authenticated list of the passengers as well as insurance policy details of those affected in the vicinity of the crash area.
Verify details in the respective data base of the insurers with regard to the overseas medical insurance policies, personal accident policies and life insurance policies and initiate fast-track processes for claim settlement,” the regulator said.
It wanted insurers to waive requirements such as first information report (FIR) or post-mortem reports where official confirmation from authorities concerned are available. It also wanted them to note the claim settlement to the nominee as recorded in the policy.
IRDAI also advised the insurers to nominate a nodal officer at senior level to co-ordinate with the joint cell for speedy settlement of claims. Starting June 16, the insurers should submit a report on weekly basis for a month. The Councils should publish insurer-wise summary level claims settlement data, it said.
Published – June 14, 2025 09:07 pm IST
