The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) issued an advisory on June 13, 2025, to all insurers and reinsurers following the Air India Flight 171 crash in Ahmedabad. The advisory directs insurers to expedite claim settlements for victims of the crash, which occurred shortly after takeoff on June 12, 2025. Key instructions include obtaining authenticated victim lists from authorities, fast-tracking processes for overseas medical, personal accident, and life insurance policies, and waiving requirements like FIR or post-mortem reports if official confirmations are available. Insurers are to ensure claims are settled to nominees without denial or delay due to procedural formalities for confirmed deceased individuals. A joint cell is to be established at the hospital for health and life insurance policy support. Each insurer must nominate a senior-level nodal officer for coordination, and weekly reports on claim settlements are required. The Life and General Insurance Councils will publish summary claim data on their websites.
INSURANCE REGULATORY AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF INDIA
Advisory to All Insurers, Reinsurers, Life Insurance Council and General Insurance Council
On June 12, 2025, Air India Flight 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, tragically crashed into BJ Medical College hostel, shortly after take-off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, India. The flight was en route to London Gatwick and was carrying 242 people, including 230 passengers and 12 crew members.
It is with deep pain and anguish that IRDAI expresses its condolences to all the families of the victims of this incident.
Insurance Sector. as always, given its purpose to support through insurance during such incidents. will remain committed and serve the families of the victims with the quickest possible support through settlement of claims.
In this regard, all insurers are advised to immediately act as under:
1. A publicly available passenger list has been released by the relevant authorities. Since It was mandatory for all the passengers to take overseas medical insurance for the travel, based on this. please arrange to:
a. Obtain the authenticated list of the victims of the crash from relevant authorities i.e.. passengers in the plane and persons at the affected buildings of the crash area.
b. Verify the details, as available in the respective data base of the insurers on issuance of the Overseas Medical Insurance policies, Personal Accident policies and Life Insurance policies and initiate fast-track processes for claim settlement relating to this incident:
i. waiving requirements such as FIR or post-mortem reports where official confirmations (confirmation from relevant Authorities) are available.
ii. claim settlement to the nominee as recorded in the policy.
iii. ensure that no claim is denied or delayed on account of procedural formalities in the case of confirmed deceased individuals from the passenger list and persons at the affected buildings of the crash area.
2. With regard to the incident of crashing into BJ Medical College hostel and other buildings at the crash area, a dedicated joint cell arranged by both Life Insurance Council and General Insurance Council may be established at the Hospital, where the accident victims are being treated to provide necessary support by disseminating the information to the insurers immediately with respect to claims or any other assistance required for any Health Insurance policies / Life Insurance policies.
3. Each insurer shall nominate a Nodal Officer at Senior level who shall be co-ordinating with the Joint Cell. who will be responsible for speedy settlement of the claims of their Insurance Company.
4. Insurers are requested to submit a report to the Authority starting June 16. 2025 on weekly basis for a month and subsequently, as may be directed as per the formats enclosed.
5. Both the Councils shall publish the insurer-wise summary level claims settlement data on their websites.
This is a moment that calls for compassion responsiveness. and the utmost efficiency in supporting affected families.
J. Meenakumari
Executive Director
