Air India crash: insurers urged to expedite claims processing

The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has instructed insurers to facilitate and speed up the processing of claims in connection with the Air India plane crash which occurred on 12 June 2025.

As a reminder, Air India flight 171 (Ahmedabad-London) tragically crashed shortly after take-off from the airport. The plane crashed into the BJ Medical College student residence.

The accident claimed the lives of 241 passengers and more than 40 people on the ground.

Insurance companies are being asked to take the following steps:

• retrieve the verified lists of victims (plane passengers and people present in the affected buildings) from the relevant authorities and check the information on insurance coverage in their databases
• process claims without requiring documents such as first information reports (FIRs) or autopsy reports when official confirmations are available
• set up a joint assistance cell within the hospital where accident victims are being treated. This unit will be set up by the Life Insurance Council and the General Insurance Council.