The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) on August 04, 2026, advised Insurance Companies to settle Insurance claims relating to natural disaster affecting four districts of Assam, viz. Sivasagar, Charaideo, Jorhat and Golaghat on Fast Track.
The natural disaster affecting four districts of Assam — Sivasagar, Charaideo, Jorhat, and Golaghat — has resulted in widespread loss of lives, property (homes and businesses), and infrastructure. In response, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has issued instructions to all insurers, including Life and Standalone Health Insurance Companies, directing them to mobilize all available resources to ensure an immediate service response, including engaging Surveyors, Loss Adjustors, and Investigators for the quick settlement of claims arising from the disaster and the subsequent flooding caused by heavy rains.
Insurers have been advised to promptly nominate a Senior Executive and communicate this appointment to the Chief Secretary. For districts reporting a large volume of claims, a designated District Claims Service Head must be assigned to oversee the claims process. Insurers are further required to give wide publicity to the contact details of these designated officers through their websites and media channels, ensuring affected policyholders can easily reach out for assistance.
To streamline claims handling, insurers have been instructed to operate 24x7 helplines and set up special claims desks at the district level, staffed with officers holding delegated Claims Settlement Authority, to enable speedy processing and settlement. Additionally, insurers have been advised to settle claim payments or on-account payments at the earliest opportunity and to encourage policyholders to use electronic communication for correspondence wherever possible, facilitating faster and more efficient claims resolution during this crisis.
