Right after super typhoon “Yolanda” left the country greatly devastated, the Insurance Commission, together with industry stakeholders, immediately approved and implemented the program, “Agarang Proseso, Benepisyo ay Sigurado” to address the victims’ urgent need of any relief available.

With the joint efforts of all industry stakeholders, Agarang Proseso established on-site Claims Action Centers (CAC), namely: CLIMBS General Life and Insurance Cooperative CAC in Tacloban City, CLIMBS CAC in Ormoc City and

CLIMBS CAC in Cebu City.

Another CAC will be set up by CLIMBS in Tacloban City which will be operational on December 8, 2013. The IC was invited to participate and observe how Microinsurance providers process payments after catastrophic events.

Meanwhile, the traditional non-life insurance providers have committed to deploy their personnel to strategic areas in the Visayas in the first week of December 2013 to further expedite the processing and release of the insurance proceeds to the covered victims. A Claims Action Center in Tacloban City Hall is expected to be launched on 13 December 2013.

Immediately after the launch of the “Agarang Proseso” program, Microinsurance providers have already released substantial amounts of claims for covered fisherfolks, farmers, vendors and members of the marginalized sector in Tacloban, Ormoc, Samar Southern Leyte and Biliran and in other affected areas in the Visayas:

§ Php83,641,400.00 – for non-life claims

§ Php811,000.00 – for death claims

§ Php680,000.00 – for relief assistance

Through its efforts, an active industry player facilitated the release of insurance claims of at least 8,000 insurance policyholders amounting to Php60,000,000.00.

Microinsurance providers have additionally approved PhP110,000,000.00 for release to more than 19,000 beneficiaries and claimants in the affected area. This amount is expected to be released in the first week of December 2013.

In furtherance of its mandate and to provide an even much faster relief to “Yolanda” victims, the Insurance Commission pushes further for a quicker insurance claims processing. The Insurance Commission has called upon the industry players to process and release payments to the affected insuring public without the necessity of an actual claim filed before them.

Moreover, the Insurance Commission is seriously entertaining the possibility of requiring insurance providers to release insurance proceeds to covered “Yolanda” victims without relying mainly on traditional documentary proofs and notices of loss. Extensive discussions on “satellite imaging” and “crisis mapping” as basis for the payment of property insurance proceeds, in lieu of the traditional and actual documentary proof and professional adjustment, have already been made. If implemented, the processing and release of property insurance claims would be even quicker and more expeditious.

Agarang Proseso program is a collective effort and undertaking of the Insurance Commission and all industry stakeholders. Ongoing coordination with the industry stakeholders is being made to ensure proper and prompt actions of all concerned.

The affected policyholders, planholders, beneficiaries and other concerned persons are advised to visit the Insurance Commission’s website at www.insurance.gov.ph for updates and other announcements the Commission may issue from time to time.