Government leans on insurers
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has pledged to monitor insurance companies’ performance in the wake of the Victorian bushfires.
An ICA spokesman told insuranceNEWS.com.au the general insurance industry “has the infrastructure in place to allow payment of claims”.
“The general insurance industry has activated the catastrophe co-ordination arrangements in Queensland and Victoria and will continue to work with the Federal and Victorian governments,” he said.
“Insurers will continue to encourage policyholders to make contact with their insurer, their broker or the Insurance Council if they are unsure of their insurance details.”
Mr Rudd has asked federal MPs to report immediately to Assistant Treasurer Chris Bowen any case of undue delay in insurance claim payments.
The PM was quoted in the Sydney Morning Herald last week referring to “long delays in settling insurance claims after previous disasters”.
Some victims of the 2003 Canberra bushfires have been outspoken about protracted claims processes. In at least one case, policyholders allegedly waited a year for a settlement to be reached.
An ICA spokesman told insuranceNEWS.com.au the general insurance industry “has the infrastructure in place to allow payment of claims”.
“The general insurance industry has activated the catastrophe co-ordination arrangements in Queensland and Victoria and will continue to work with the Federal and Victorian governments,” he said.
“Insurers will continue to encourage policyholders to make contact with their insurer, their broker or the Insurance Council if they are unsure of their insurance details.”
Mr Rudd has asked federal MPs to report immediately to Assistant Treasurer Chris Bowen any case of undue delay in insurance claim payments.
The PM was quoted in the Sydney Morning Herald last week referring to “long delays in settling insurance claims after previous disasters”.
Some victims of the 2003 Canberra bushfires have been outspoken about protracted claims processes. In at least one case, policyholders allegedly waited a year for a settlement to be reached.