Hong Kong insurance complaints hit record high, but many lack prima facie evidence
The number of complaints received by the insurance industry’s self-regulator last year rose 13 per cent to a record of 603, with 78 claimants receiving a total of HK$3.86 million in claims.
The number of complaints received by the insurance industry's self-regulator rose 13 per cent to a record 603 last year.
But the Insurance Claims Complaints Bureau insisted that the record number was not because more insurance companies were using unscrupulous sales tactics.
"We received many complaints last year. But if we take away the complaints with no prima facie evidence, the number is actually quite similar to before," said Michael Tsui Fuk-sun, chairman of the bureau's complaints panel.
The panel closed its files on 344 complaints last year.
The panel found no prima facie evidence in 53 per cent of the completed cases. Another 20 per cent were settled by the parties in dispute before the panel made a ruling, while 12 per cent were withdrawn. It upheld the insurer's decision in another 12 per cent of cases, while awards were made in just 3 per cent of all claims.
The amount paid out totalled HK$3.86 million, which included awards and cases settled between parties.
