Derailment: Insurers ease claim settlement norms

Private insurers including Bajaj Allianz Life and Max Life on Tuesday announced easing of claim settlement process for people affected by the Indore Patna Express train derailment, which has left 148 passengers dead. As many as 14 coaches of the train with close to 600 passengers rolled off track close to Pukhraya near Kanpur 

Bajaj Allianz Life said it has reduced the documentation for claim applications for the train accident victims.

While the requirement for documents has been already minimised, procedure for investigation conducted by insurers may be waived if prima-facie documents establish the life assured’s death is due to the accident, the Pune-headquartered company said in a release issued here.

It has announced that it would make efforts to settle a majority of the claims coming out of this accident within 72 hours and these claims will be attended on priority.

Wherever death certificate issued by Registrar of Births and Deaths is not available, the insurer will accept the certified list (government gazette copy) issued by either of hospitals or police or the government authorities or armed forces involved in rescue operations, said Bajaj Allianz.

Meanwhile, Max Life has set up a special claims help-desk to expedite claim settlement process.

The insurer will accept any evidence from the government or designated district officials of the state government or hospital authorities showing death due to the train accident, it said in a statement.

Photo ID proof of nominee or the beneficiary will also be required, it added.

The death toll today mounted to 148 in the Indore-Patna Express derailment even as railway services resumed on Jhansi- Kanpur section after damaged tracks were replaced between Pukhrayan and Malasa stations.