Insurance claims hit cops’ English

Insurance claims of 300 accident victims have not been settled because of issues related to the police’s use of the English language.

The Delhi Police may be trying to teach its men and women English before the Commonwealth Games, but it seems their preparations are also behind schedule. Insurance claims of 300 accident victims have not been settled because of issues related to the police’s use of the English language.

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Last week, representatives of 17 insurance firms met senior police officers to discuss the matter. “Documents sent by the police are illegible... We can’t understand what they’re trying to say. This leads to delays in settling claims,” said Naresh Kumar Sharma, nodal officer, National Insurance Company Ltd.

“A common grievance is that circulars sent by insurance companies to the police hit a language hurdle. There are other issues too,” said a police officer on condition of anonymity.

In July, the Delhi Police launched a website — www.dpacciclaim.net — where accident victims can claim insurance by entering their case details. After an accident, the station house officer uploads information on the victim, accused, eyewitnesses. The Motor Accident Claim Tribunal court can access this. But in practice, the system doesn’t quite work that way.

“Certain modalities for exchange of information through online facilities were discussed in the meeting. It is a new system so efforts were taken to streamline it,” said Rajan Bhagat, spokesman, Delhi Police.