MH370: PIAM pledges to give priority to insurance claims

The General Insurance Association of Malaysia (PIAM) and its member companies have agreed to simplify procedures for processing all the personal accident insurance claims for passengers and crew

members onboard Malaysia Airlines flight MH370.

In a statement today, PIAM chairman, Chua Seck Guan said due to the nature of the incident, its members agreed that a death certificate would not be a requisite when submitting claims.

"All 15 insurers that have directly insured the passengers and crew members of MH370 have agreed to simplify the documentation and claims processes and the claims will be paid out speedily.

"The industry is committed to providing all necessary assistance to all parties involved in the incident. We would like to stress that our member companies are well-positioned to provide services and quickly pay out the claims to help the affected parties ride through these difficult times," Chua said.

Flight MH370, carrying 239 people, disappeared from radar screens when flying over the South China Sea on March 8 after taking off from the KL International Airport at 12.41am.

The Boeing 777-200ER aircraft was supposed to have landed in Beijing at 6.30am the same day.

A search that involved the assistance of several countries was launched for the aircraft, initially in the South China Sea and then in the Indian Ocean when it was said to have deviated from its original path.

After the analysis of satellite data showed that the final position of the aircraft was in the Indian Ocean, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak announced on March 24 that Flight MH370 had "ended in the southern Indian Ocean".

Chua said the association had also received calls from the affected families and tried its best to advise and assist them.

"To file a claim, the affected members will need to present the duly completed claim form and other relevant documents," he said.

The affected family members can contact PIAM's Complaints Action Bureau at 03-22747395/9 or e-mail piam_sec@piam.org.my.

PIAM is the national trade association of all licensed direct and reinsurance companies for general insurance in Malaysia.