Chopper Crash: Linkage Assurance Settles N375m Claims

As part of its obligations to policyholders, Linkage Assurance Plc has settled the hull claims for the Quorum Aviation helicopter that crashed in Lagos last year.

The underwriting firm disclosed this while hosting members of the Lagos Area Council of Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB).

According to the Managing Director, Linkage Assurance, Daniel Braie, the underwriting firm insured 100 per cent the chopper that crashed in the Opebi area of Ikeja killing three people. Braie said: “We had the largest aviation treaty in the market last year, and this year we about the highest in fire treaty.

So, we are ready to serve you well. “Linkage insured 100 per cent of the helicopter that crashed last year in Opebi, Ikeja, Lagos and has settled the hull claim of N375  million and about concluding the settlement of the passenger liability claim of $300,000 for the three passengers that died in that unfortunate incident.”

It would be recalled that the helicopter operated by Quorum Aviation had departed Port Harcourt, Rivers State, with one passenger onboard.

It was gathered that the copter dropped from the sky around 12 noon and crashed into a residential building on Salvation Road in the Opebi area. Two crew members died on the spot while the passenger, who chartered it, later died in an hospital.

Each of the victims’ families have  received $100,000 insurance claim, according to global aviation standard.

Meanwhile, while appreciating the brokers for the continuous growth of the underwriting firm, the managing director said its focus going into 2021 and beyond would be to strengthen the relationship by continuously providing efficient services and meting claims obligations promptly.

Braie said: “Linkage Assurance Plc recognises the pivotal role of the broker’s community in the growth of insurance business and that is why we decided that apart from hosting the national body, we would go a step further to host the various Area Councils across the country.

“So far, we have done this in Abuja, Kaduna, Port Harcourt and now Lagos. If not for the COVID-19 that broke last year, which affected businesses all over the word including Nigeria, we would have covered more states.”

Wole Shadare