OJK Calls for Expediting Insurance Claim to QA8501 Accident Victims

 
Robert Sidauruk, Fathan Qorib
 
The crash involving Air Asia flight QZ8501 on 28 December 2014 has needless to say been devastating for all the victims’ families and relatives. Given that more than 160 individuals were killed in the plane crash and the bad weather that has plagued search efforts, the government and related parties are still busy recovering bodies and plane debris.
 
At the same time as the recovery operations gradually move towards their conclusion, the Financial Services Authority has reminded the private insurance companies to expedite the processing of insurance claims for the victims, particularly as their families, relatives, and heirs will soon be turning submitting their attention to making claims.
 
Muliaman D Hadad, OJK’s Chairman of the Board of Commissioners, said that payment amounts for claims must be in accordance with the insurance policy between the victim as the passenger and the insurance company. However, regardless of the amount involved, the insurance companies must provide convenient procedures for families of victims to claim compensation.
 
“The procedure must be simplified and expedited”, said Mr. Hadad in Jakarta on Friday (2/1).
 
In regard to compensation from PT Jasa Raharja, Mr. Hadad indicated that the OJK is currently reviewing whether this entity as the organizer of public transportation insurance is responsible for compensating victims.
 
Sharing the same view as Mr. Hadad, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Sofyan Djalil, stated that the government will review whether PT Jasa Raharja is obligated to provide compensating to victims. Mr. Djalil admitted that PT Jasa Raharja is responsible for compensating victims of transportation accidents in Indonesia, however, several victims of Air Asia QZ8501 are also covered by private insurance.
 
“At the moment, I’m not quite sure whether PT Jasa Raharja is also responsible, and whether Air Asia is also covered by PT Jasa Raharja,” added Mr. Djalil.
 
Compensation Entitlements
Julian Noor, Executive Director of the Indonesian General Insurance Association is of the view that PT Jasa Raharja is responsible for compensating the victims. Mr. Noor further informed that those killed on Air Asia QZ8501 may be entitled to a maximum payment of IDR 50 million from PT Jasa Raharja.
 
“If all the victims are found death, then the amount of compensation for each victim will likely be equal,” added Mr. Noor.
 
Moreover, heirs of the victims may also be entitled to additional compensation as provided for under Law No. 1 of 2009 on Aviation. This additional compensation is further regulated under Minister of Transportation Regulation No. 77 of 2011 on Responsibility of Air Transportation Carriers that provides death victims of air transportation accidents may be entitle to maximum compensation of IDR 1,250,000,000 per passenger. This compensation, however, can only be granted based on a court decision.
 
Finally, victims may also be entitled to additional compensation if they are covered by transportation insurance that was separately purchased from an insurance agent outlet at the airport.
 
“The victims will get further compensation if the bought this additional insurance,” added Mr. Noor.
 
(hot/kc)