Insurance, national fund and EVCAT: Moroccans affected by quake could receive compensation from different sources

The Moroccan Federation of Insurance Companies (FMA) is reminding Moroccans that all those who have registered vehicles could benefit from compensation for physical and personal harm, or material loss caused by the recent earthquake.

Law No. 14.110 pertaining to insurance compensation in the country outlines the reimbursement of personal harm or material loss caused by natural disasters.

“In accordance with law no. 14.110, any person insured in a coverage plan will be able to benefit from compensation for bodily injury or material damage resulting from this event to the extent that they are located in one of the zones defined as part of the disaster zones,” said FMA in a statement.

This law intends to establish a framework to handle the effects of catastrophic events to compensate the victims of terrible calamities. 

Insurance companies operate under this law to guarantee and compensate all damages caused by natural disasters for everybody who has registered in their insurance systems.

The same applies for Sanlam Insurance Marrakech Targa, which is attentively responding to calls from victims who require assistance getting compensated.

“We are keeping an eye on the calls on this issue.” The insurance company spokesman told Hespress EN that one of the victims called to report his broken car glass because of the earthquake and asked to be compensated for the damages that had occurred to it.

The spokesperson for Sanlam Insurance Agency confirmed to Hespress EN that all natural catastrophe damages to homes and cars that are registered in insurance systems will be covered by the service.

Additionally, insurance companies are responsible for repairing any damage to joint ownership property.

The compensation process is also a source of concern for people who directly experienced physical injuries, including those who helped with rescue, relief, and security operations.

The FMA invited citizens to get in touch with their insurers to assist damaged cases through the declaration process and determine whether their insurance policy entitles them to compensation.

EVCAT

Morocco implemented a system known as the “EVCAT” to cover the consequences of catastrophic events in 2020. Its primary goal is to compensate victims of direct damages caused by natural disasters or violent human actions. 

In order for this system to be activated, the head of the government must declare an event as a catastrophe, which has been done for Al Haouz earthquake. 

This declaration has not been made for the recent Al Haouz earthquake.

The EVCAT regime’s coverage extends to various catastrophic events, including floods, earthquakes, tsunamis, acts of terrorism, and severe riots of popular uprisings. It excludes events related to chemical, biological, bacteriological, radioactive, or nuclear weapons, as well as civil wars, foreign wars, and crimes of cybercrime. 

The recognition of a catastrophic state requires a decree from the head of the government, published in the Official Gazette within a maximum of three months from the event’s occurrence. 

This declaration initiates the registration of victims on the census register, granting them  the right to compensation. 

The EVCAT regime comprises both an insurance and an allocation system. 

For individuals without insurance coverage, there is an allocation component that offers minimal compensation, particularly for bodily injuries and the loss of their primary residence. 

Management of this compensation falls under the purview of the Fund for Solidarity against Catastrophic Events (FSEC). 

Compensations for bodily injuries depend on the victim’s permanent physical disability rate and are subject to specified limits. 

In the unfortunate event of fatality, indemnities are distributed among beneficiaries according to percentages outlined by law. 

In cases of primary residence loss, an expert committee assesses whether the residence is uninhabitable. Compensation includes an allowance for deprivation of enjoyment and funds for premises’ rehabilitation. 

Victims must submit compensation requests within 90 days from the event’s declaration as a catastrophe. The necessary documents vary based on the type of damage but generally include medical certificates for bodily injuries, death certificates for fatalities, and an expert report for primary residence losses. 

Emergency earthquake Donations Fund

Morocco’s National Earthquake emergency fund, which manages donations for the recent earthquake, will benefit the rebuilding and infrastructure projects in the quake-devastated regions. 

Hespress sources stated that the volume of donations the fund has so far received, 5 days after its launch, approached the MAD 5 billion.

The source, who did not wish to be named, confirmed that the level of optimism within the government is great, as donations to the fund for managing the effects of the earthquake are likely to reach significant numbers that exceed what was recorded during the period of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Official figures showed that the resources of the fund for managing the pandemic exceeded MAD 42 billion, collected through donations from public and private institutions, as well as widespread popular involvement in the process.