Wayanad Landslides: Govt Asks LIC, Other Insurance PSUs To Expedite Claim Settlements To Support Victims

Even as extremely heavy rainfall triggered the deadly landslides in the hilly areas of Kerala’s Wayanad, the government on Saturday mandated all public sector insurance companies to speedily disburse the claim amounts to the victims. The insurance PSUs are Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), National Insurance, New India Assurance, Oriental Insurance, and United India Insurance.

“In view of the unfortunate landslide incident and heavy rains in Kerala, the government has mandated the Public Sector Insurance companies (PSICs), including Life Insurance Corporation of India(LIC), National Insurance, New India Assurance, Oriental Insurance, and United India Insurance, to extend all possible support to the victims of the calamity so that the insurance claims can be expeditiously processed and paid,” the finance ministry said in a post on X on Saturday.

The insurance companies have initiated efforts for reaching out to their policyholders through various channels (local newspapers, social media, company websites, sms, etc) to provide the contact details for assistance in the districts of Wayanad, Palakkad, Kozhikode, Malappuram, and Thrissur, where a significant number of claims are being reported, it added.

“LIC has been asked to speedily disburse the claim amount in respect of the policyholders under the PM Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana,” the ministry said in the post.

The documentation required for processing of claims has been relaxed comprehensively to ensure speedy dispersal of the claim amount, it added.

“The General Insurance Council will coordinate with the insurance companies to ensure that claims are processed and paid expeditiously and will host a portal for all insurers to report claim status daily,” the ministry said.

The central government remains committed to supporting the victims of this calamity and ensuring they receive the necessary assistance without delay and trouble, it added.

As many as 215 people have died and over 500 were injured in the massive landslides that hit Wayanad district in the wee hours of July 30.

Hundreds of people are suspected to be missing, and rescue operators are battling adverse conditions, including waterlogged soil, as they search through destroyed homes and buildings.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday said search and rescue operations in disaster-hit Wayanad are in their final stages, but 206 people remain missing.