Expansion of Comprehensive Social Disaster Coverage and Citizen Safety Insurance Benefits
[Asia Economy Reporter Kiho Sung] The Ministry of the Interior and Safety announced on the 5th that, following the Itaewon tragedy, it has established a special coverage item for death caused by social disasters within the scope of the Citizen Safety Insurance and has guided local governments nationwide on the "2023 Citizen Safety Insurance Operation Promotion Plan," which includes this coverage.
Citizen Safety Insurance is an insurance policy that local governments voluntarily subscribe to based on ordinances to support the livelihood stability of citizens affected by disasters and accidents. Citizens residing in the respective local government area (including registered foreigners) automatically receive insurance benefits.
Previously, the coverage items (36 types) focused on accidents frequently occurring in daily life, such as natural disasters, fires, and public transportation accidents. However, starting this year, the coverage scope has been expanded to compensate for a wide range of social disaster damages, including accidents involving densely crowded gatherings.
At the end of last year, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety promoted the development of a social disaster death special coverage product in collaboration with related organizations (private insurance companies, Korea Local Finance Association, and local governments). Since January this year, Citizen Safety Insurance with the added social disaster special coverage has been launched by 11 insurance and mutual aid companies, with 2 companies preparing to launch.
Local governments that newly contract Citizen Safety Insurance from January this year can subscribe including the social disaster death special coverage, and local governments whose contract period has not expired can additionally subscribe to the social disaster death special coverage until the contract expiration date.
Meanwhile, although the number of Citizen Safety Insurance claims and the insurance payout rate have been increasing annually, the Ministry plans to strengthen publicity together with local governments to ensure that no citizens miss out on benefits due to lack of awareness of the Citizen Safety Insurance.
From February this year, when reporting a death and when using the Government24 "Safe Inheritance Service" to check the deceased's assets, guidance on Citizen Safety Insurance support will be provided. Updated information can also be checked through the National Disaster Safety Portal, Naver, and KakaoTalk apps.
Minister of the Interior and Safety Sangmin Lee stated, “We will further strengthen the social safety net by expanding the coverage of Citizen Safety Insurance to ensure that no blind spots in coverage occur when disasters and accidents happen.”
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