THE EDITOR, Sir:THERE IS a massive disillusion in my immediate community, and, indeed, the wider Jamaica community regarding the inadequate settlement of claims to damaged houses following the ravages of the recent hurricane.
The insurance companies happily accept your coverage for houses without highlighting the conditions in the fineprints. Firstly, the unsuspecting clients are under the illusion that their annual coverage has a cumulative effect. When the clients point out that their remittance covers 16 years since 'Gilbert', the fine print, which nullify this claim comes into play.
Initially, you are asked to submit an estimate of cost from a builder and a photograph of the damaged building, all added to your cost. Eventually, an overseas 'assessor' appears, an em-ployee of some foreign company, to reduce your claims to a laughable minuscule.
'FOREIGN AGENT'
This 'foreign agent' treats you to a lecture that Jamaica is the worst uneducated country in the matter of insurance. He unveils a number of conditions to your claims which hardly cover your 'estimate' and photograph costs.
We are appealing for combined effort of the media, (newspapers, television, radio) and the relevant ministry of government to mount an effective public education campaign on this matter of insurance. It would be in the interest of the insurance companies themselves to mount their own education programme. There are many clients who will not return to them.
The argument is that it is better to place their remittances in some other investments. The availability of some funds are assured in a time of need.
Finally, why must the insurance companies employ some overseas 'assessors' to quantify our claims? Why not our own people?
I am, etc.,
ARTHUR S. BYFIELD
PO Box 2162
Boscobel P.O., St. Mary
