THE Insurance Association of Jamaica (IAJ) has promised players in the tourism sector that its members are working to resolve some claims and questions surrounding settlement calculations, deductibles, property valuations, and the application of the average clause.

Last week the Jamaica Hotel & Tourist Association (JHTA) reported that a new survey of its members found that six in 10 tourism claims made after Hurricane Melissa last October remain unresolved, and that most operators expect to recover well short of what they lost.

According to JHTA President O’Brian Herron, major players in the insurance sector committed to accelerate the resolution of outstanding Melissa claims, with the objective of settling the vast majority, excluding complex and litigated matters, by the end of September 2026.

“We welcomed that commitment. The evidence from our members shows how far there still is to go,” said Herron.

In a media release over the weekend, the IAJ said it has taken careful note of concerns raised publicly by the JHTA.

“We have heard the concerns raised by the tourism sector and we take them seriously. Questions surrounding the time taken to resolve claims, settlement calculations, deductibles, valuations and the application of policy provisions deserve clear and constructive engagement. Our objective is to work with our members and stakeholders to address these concerns while ensuring that claims are assessed fairly and in accordance with the terms of each policy,” said IAJ President Rosemarie Henry.

She added that the IAJ believes policyholders should understand how their settlements are calculated, how relevant policy provisions are applied and have an appropriate channel through which questions or concerns regarding their individual claims can be addressed.

“The association remains committed to constructive engagement with the tourism sector and other affected policyholder groups as Jamaica continues its recovery from Hurricane Melissa,” said Henry.

The IAJ head pointed out that the Category 5 storm posed an exceptional test for policyholders, insurers, brokers, loss adjusters, reinsurers and the wider Jamaican economy, highlighting important lessons on catastrophe preparedness, claims communication, loss-adjusting capacity, and the timely provision of financial support to affected policyholders.

“Hurricane Melissa tested Jamaica at every level, including our insurance ecosystem. We must carry forward lessons, and the industry has a responsibility to learn from them. Our commitment is to support the completion of outstanding claims, strengthen the experience of policyholders and continue working with our partners to build an insurance sector in which Jamaicans can have confidence, particularly when they need it most,” Henry added.

The IAJ said it will continue working with its member companies, the Financial Services Commission, the Jamaica Insurance Brokers’ Association, the Loss Adjusters’ Association of Jamaica, the JHTA, other policyholder groups and relevant stakeholders to support the completion of outstanding claims and Jamaica’s continuing recovery.

In the meantime, the IAJ reported that its member companies are intensifying efforts to bring remaining claims to resolution, with industry data showing that 90 per cent of motor claims and 77 per cent of Jamaican dollar-denominated claims have been fully settled and paid, while progress has been slower among non-motor and US dollar-denominated claims.

The IAJ said it recognises that outstanding claims continue to place financial and operational pressure on families and businesses working to recover and rebuild. Additionally, greater attention is now being directed towards progressing these matters and strengthening communication with affected policyholders.

“Our responsibility is to ensure that the remaining claims receive the attention they require and that policyholders are kept informed throughout the process. Insurance is fundamentally about being there when people and businesses experience loss, and we understand the importance of delivering on that promise.

“Our members are focused on bringing outstanding matters to resolution and helping policyholders move forward with greater certainty,” said Henry.

The release noted that, as at the end of September 2026, 49 per cent of US dollar-denominated claims and 54 per cent of non-motor claims had been fully settled and paid.

“Transparency is essential as the industry works to complete the remaining Hurricane Melissa claims.

When we report a claim as closed, we mean that all outstanding obligations related to the claim have been paid.

These figures show where progress has been made, but equally important, they identify the areas where greater attention is required.

Our immediate focus is on working with our members to accelerate outstanding claims and move as many as possible through to final settlement and payment,” said IAJ Executive Director Everton McFarlane. The IAJ said it will continue to monitor claims progression with its member companies and will provide further industry updates as claims move towards completion.

“For insurers, the priority now is to work through the remaining claims with the level of attention each case requires and to keep policyholders informed as matters progress. Where additional information is required, an assessment remains outstanding, or there are questions about a settlement, there needs to be clear communication so those issues can be addressed and the claim can move forward.

As an industry, we recognise how important it is for policyholders to have clarity about where they are in the process and what comes next,” said Tammara Glaves-Hucey, chair of the IAJ’s General Insurance Committee.

The IAJ said its member companies have been asked to provide policyholders with up-to-date information on the status of their claims and any information still required; identify a clear point of contact through whom the claim can be progressed; explain the basis of settlement offers, including applicable deductibles, the average clause or other material policy provisions; and provide clear next steps and, where reasonably possible, an expected timeline for completion.