Cyclone Fani: How to File Insurance Claims

By | May 6, 2019

An unexpected natural calamity can leave you gutted if you’ve witnessed the loss first hand. Here’s how you can file Life, Motor and Home Insurance claims during these testing times.

Cyclone Fani_How To Claim Insurance

Cyclone Fani has left 10,000 villages and 52 urban areas grappling with water shortage and power cuts in Odisha. With many families having been displaced, lives lost and homes damaged, one can only hope that the victims can gather enough courage to recuperate from these losses.

Even though the families can get aid using their Life Insurance policies, undoubtedly, loss of human lives cannot be fully compensated for. But to a large extent, the loss incurred on vehicles and houses can be claimed if you have your Home Insurance and Motor Insurance policies in place. In Odisha, most claims are expected for damage of property and vehicles and hospitalisation and some for damage to crops. And if you’re wondering how to go about filing these claims then look no further.

Check This: Floods In Kerala And Coorg – How You Can Help

First And Foremost – Inform the Insurer

Yes. If you are an insured victim then the first thing that you need to do is to intimate your insurer. Do not wait to submit the original policy papers or worry about how to get copies of the same. You need to inform the insurer by either writing to them or calling them on their toll-free numbers or customer service numbers.

You can also use the help of your agent to get in touch with the insurance company and file the application in writing along with an acknowledgement copy. Once you register your claim, you will be given a registration number.

Even though you need to file the claim as soon as possible, in such circumstances, you can expect an extension on the deadline to make your claim. Ideally, the timeline given is seven days.

After that, you can access the policy documents and see whether you have all the relevant documents and figure out what’s lost or missing. The claim related documentation process for most insurance companies are similar.

How To File Claims For Life Insurance

The mandatory submission of a death certificate will not apply during a natural disaster. Some insurance companies accept a certificate from the hospital, police or the armed forces if victims cannot get a death certificate on time.

As per the Indian Evidence Act, the claim for a missing person can be settled only after a waiting period of seven years from the date of filing an FIR. However, in case of a natural disaster, this rule is waived.

Here are the documents you need for a Life Insurance claim.

  • Death Certificate issued by the municipal corporation or any competent Government authority like the local authority, armed forces, Government hospital or Police authority
  • Filled death claim form or claim intimation form
  • Claimant ID and residence proof
  • Claimant bank account details
  • Photo ID of the nominee or beneficiary

Additional Reading: Death Claim: Documents Required For A Life Insurance Claim

How To File Claims For Motor Insurance

It is no surprise that the severe storm Fani has left tonnes of cars damaged. If your car is still in a waterlogged area, then you shouldn’t start the engine and cause more damage to the car.

If the owner of the said car tries to start the engine when the vehicle is parked in a waterlogged condition, then it could cause more damage to the vehicle and the Car Insurance policy won’t cover for such damage. This is only because the basic Car Insurance policy does not cover any consequential loss.

A regular policy which covers both own damage and third-party liability will be sufficient in cases of natural disasters.  A basic Car Insurance policy will cover damage to the car’s engine.

Insurers might provide documentation waivers. Also, they may accept photographs shared digitally to settle motor insurance claims.

All you need to do is:

  • Provide the insurer with basic information details such as your name, phone number, and car number. The insurer will then be able to pull out your policy information with the help of these details.
  • Once you register your claim, you need to wait for further instructions from the insurer as the vehicle will be towed to the nearest garage to ascertain further losses.

Additional Reading: The Ultimate Guide To Insurance Claims For Flood-Damaged Cars

How To File Claims For Home Insurance

If you had insured your home, then you have probably saved yourself from incurring mighty losses. However, this will depend on the type of insurance policy you opted for because all policies are different. Depending on this, you may or may not be able to claim for things inside your house like furniture, utensils, electrical appliances etc.

However, in case of damage to property during storms, you don’t have to file an FIR as you would in case of theft. Most insurance policies cover losses to the structure of the house and its contents.

Here’s what you need to provide your insurer:

  • Register your claim by informing the insurer
  • Provide your insurer information regarding the policyholder like PAN, date of birth and details of your house
  • Provide details of damage to your house with subsequent evidence/explanation to support the claim
  • Once you register your claim, the insurer will send an officer to inspect and assess the damage. Then, the insurer will value the property for settlement

Additional Reading: Protect Yourself From Natural Calamities With Home Insurance

It is heart-wrenching to see the after-effects of the storm in Odisha. No one can prepare you for a natural disaster. But luckily you can insure yourself and your loved ones/things (car, home) by means of a good insurance cover. Want to know more about it? Just click on the button below to compare policies and get one.

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