RIYADH -- The National Company for Cooperative Insurance (NCCI) has launched a new policy to protect Haj and Umrah pilgrims.
Ahmed Al-Shalan, NCCI Group marketing manager, told Arab News that the Haj and Umrah Manasek policy provides a maximum coverage of SR50,000 ($13,333) for personal accidents involving pilgrims during their stay in the Kingdom.
The launch of the new Haj- and Umrah-related insurance policy comes against the background of statistics which show that about 1,000 Haj pilgrims die annually in Makkah and Madinah due to various reasons. Also, 11,800 pilgrims are admitted to hospital.
Spelling out the features of the new policy, Al-Shalan said that in case of death from personal accidents, NCCI guarantees the return of the remains of the policy-holder to their country at a cost not exceeding SR10,000 ($2,667). Also, the policy covers emergency medical care for up to SR25,000 ($6,667).
The NCCI official pointed out that Haj and Umrah performers are susceptible to accidents, injuries, sickness, heat exhaustion and death in some cases during their stay in Saudi Arabia. Through extensive research, NCCI recognized the need for such a product, which it developed and customized to meet specific needs.
Al-Shalaan said its main objective is to provide clients and their families with peace of mind while they perform their religious duties. It is expected that approximately two million Haj pilgrims and five million performers of Umrah will benefit from the new program every year.
As for the mechanism put in place to ensure the maximum level of services, Al-Shalaan stated that they will give the policy-holders a list of medical service providers and a toll-free number which will assist them in solving any problems they may face. The list of medical service providers will mainly cover Makkah, Madinah and Jeddah. In case of deaths, NCCI will contact the beneficiary named in the policy and discuss compensation.
"NCCI will assist policy holders in locating suitable medical service providers in emergency cases where they can receive the care required," Shaalan said.
The coverage becomes affective once the insured person enters Saudi Arabia and is valid for one month. The policy can be extended for another month for an additional premium.
Asked about the prospective customer base, Al-Shalan explained that NCCI expects the main customers for Manasek Insurance Plan to be foreign organizers of Haj and Umrah trips. Under Saudi law, these companies are required to provide an accepted level of care for Haj and Umrah pilgrims, including emergency medical care. The Manasek Program will help these companies in fulfilling their obligations toward their clients , he noted.
Asked about the premium, Al-Shalan indicated that NCCI has taken into account the heavy financial burden on the Haj and of Umrah performer. Therefore, it kept the premium at a reasonable rate. The cost of insurance is determined at SR100 ($ 27) per insured person per month. Al-Shalan emphasized that the new program will help hospitals and health clinics by taking on the financial burden of its clients. It will help the industry in strengthening its services and developing its ability to provide a high standard of medical care for the increasing number of Haj pilgrims and performers of Umrah.
Javid Hassan
© Arab News 2005
