Death, Tax & Insurance

KUALA TERENGGANU: Terengganu plans to provide comprehensive insurance coverage for senior citizens so that their relatives need not worry about funeral expenses upon the death of the policy holders.

State Welfare, Community and Women Development Committee chairman Ashaari Idris said some 160,000 locals were expected to benefit from the insurance scheme when it is implemented.

The indemnity would cover funeral expenses and compensation for the next-of-kin upon the death of the policy holder, he said.

He added that the insurance coverage would also pay a quantum to the spouse of the deceased if they had dependents under their care.

Ashaari said a proposal had been outlined on the types of coverage that eligible recipients would receive.

“I will table the proposal during the state executive council meeting on Wednesday and follow up on the next course of action once the Exco gives the go-ahead,” he said.

Ashaari said most insurance companies paid RM1,500 for funeral expenses while a lump sum of about RM30,000 is paid to the next-of-kin.

However, he said the state government had to also take into account the total cost involved in providing the coverage, as it would have to fork out the monthly premiums.

He added that once the insurance scheme was approved, locals who were eligible would be identified through the state Welfare Department’s database of recipients on state aid.