Residents can seek compensation for damage caused by public property

Friday, 13 January 2012 20:40

People can initiate insurance claims for any damage or injury caused by public property or in public premises in Petaling Jaya, said Petaling Jaya mayor Datuk Mohamad Roslan Sakiman.

Street trees that fall in a thunderstorm causing damage to property, motorists suffering injuries after driving into potholes, children getting hurt due to defective playground equipment could be the factor to initiate an insurance claim for compensation.

Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) has awarded RM148,245 to claimants from 2009 to 2011, for various cases involving damage to vehicles going into potholes, trees falling on private property in a storm and children hurt at playgrounds.

Roslan said the Public Liability Insurance Policy was unique in that it covered, in addition to physical damage, theft of personal items from the city council’s premises as well as any accident that might occur while ratepayers use the facilities on the council’s premises.

“For example if a person visits the PJ Library and personal items go missing from the lockers then they can claim compensation. Our insurance under PNSB Insurance Brokers Sdn Bhd is hassle free, provided the claimant gives all the required documents, including a police report,” he said.

Roslan added that in 2009, only one claim of RM1,500 was made for damage to a car that had gone into a pothole.

In 2010, some 20 people sought compensation totalling RM144,117 and the insurance firm has awarded RM76,681 while another RM67,435 in claims are waiting for documentation.

Last year, the claims doubled, where 48 people sought compensation totalling RM171,220 and the insurance firm paid out RM70,064 and another RM101,156 is still waiting for required papers and photos of the incidents.

Roslan said the insurance had specific compensation that the claimant would receive in the event of structural damage, damage to vehicles or injury.

“Compensation could be reimbursement for vehicle repairs or medical bills due to injury suffered,” he said.

“In the case of a tree planted by the PJ City Council falling on a house, the owner can initiate an insurance claim,” he said.

“In some countries people can be charged for planting trees outside their houses and insurance has to be taken on the tree. Here it is free,” he said.

He said for those wanting to make an insurance claim could go to the General Administration Division Service Management Department on the second floor at the MBPJ headquarters in Jalan Yong Shook Lin in PJ New Town.

Senior assistant director Azizah Kosni (03-7956 3544 ext: 327) or senior clerk Ibrahim Abdullah (03-7956 3544 ext 310) are well versed with the claims process and would give advice to people.

From The Star