Tamil Nadu has reported around 200 deaths since the situation worsened in mid-November. (Reuters photo)
As Tamil Nadu and its capital city Chennai grapple with the worst floods in a century, general insurers are gearing up to settle claims which are pegged at over Rs 600 crore so far.
As unseasonal rains continue to lash the state and the metropolitan region of Chennai, forcing the airport, railway stations to be shut today, the industry feels the deluge alone may add an additional burden of Rs 100 crore to them.
The spate of rains is the worst in a century. The state has reported around 200 deaths since the situation worsened in mid-November. The city turned an island today with roads, railhead, air links disrupted.
"Even as we don't expect much damage in the form of insured loss from the recent floods, which may be around Rs 100 crore for the industry, we feel that the total insured loss may top Rs 600 crore," ICICI Lombard General Insurance chief for underwriting, claims and reinsurance, Sanjay Datta told Press Trust of India.
SBI General has already received 200 claims and it expects that claims may go up. "We have already received 200 claims from the floods so far amounting to Rs 50 crore. However, we expect the claims will go up," SBI General Insurance managing director and chief executive Bhaskar J Sarma said.
Meanwhile, Tata AIG General Insurance said it has set up a dedicated team to fast-track claims settlement for claims from the killer flood.
The unprecedented rains have created havoc in Chennai, Puducherry and the surrounding areas.
In response to the calamity, a dedicated team at Tata AIG, is ready to attend to all the claim intimations quickly.
"We will ensure that every customer and claim is attended to, with empathy and we will fast-track the claim settlement process to bring quick relief to our customers in the region," a company statement said.
The Chennai Corporation has announced Emergency Contact Numbers for all the regional zones in the city. People can contact the following numbers in case of any emergency due to the floods.
Emergency Toll Free Number: 1910, State Emergency: 1070, District Emergency: 1077, Electricity:1912, Fire & Rescue: 101, Ambulance: 108, Tree fall, waterlogging - 1913, Sewage overflow - 45674567, 22200335
Helpline Numbers: Tiruvottiyur : 09445190001, Manali: 09445190002; Madhavaram: 9445190003, Ambattur: 9445190007; Tondiarpet: 9445190004, Royapuram: 9445190005; Annanagar: 9445190008, Teynampet: 9445190009, Alandur: 9445190012, Adyar: 9445190013,Perungudi: 9445190014
Flood Control Room: 28593990, 044-28410577,9445869843/47