Insurers' goodwill questioned

I am a policy holder acting for three insured parties, PT Coca Cola Bottling Indonesia, PT Jasprim Dinamika Global and PT Bakrie Building Indonesia, in a matter of marine cargo insurance by PT Asuransi Purna Artanugraha (Aspan), Jakarta. I also act for Tjin Taju Liang and TB Tunas Baru in the same insurance matter by PT Asuransi Puri Asih.

The cargo was shipped aboard a barge, Ekadaya-1, pulled by a tugboat, Triguna Nusantara, from Jakarta's Sunda Kelapa port to Pangkal Balam on July 15, 2004. The barge and tugboat had to return to Sunda Kelapa on July 16 because Triguna's main engine broke down. After being repaired, both vessels departed again on July 22 with a sailing license from the Sunda Kelapa port administrator.

However, on July 24, Ekadaya-1 sank in waters south of Bangka Island, causing the loss of the entire cargo due to adverse weather conditions. With this accident, I suffered financial loss totaling Rp 1,477,450,000, comprising Rp 700 million to be covered by Aspan and Rp 777.45 million to be covered by Puri Asih.

On Nov. 8, Aspan rejected my claim for reasons that the vessel was unseaworthy, while in fact both Triguna and Ekadaya-1 were certified as seaworthy. I sent my note of objection to Aspan's rejection on Jan. 25, 2005 and presented facts about the accident. On March 3, Aspan replied and still rejected my claim for the same reason.

Puri Asih answered my letter only on March 15 by asking for further clarification. On March 23 I again responded to Aspan and make clarifications as requested by Puri Asih. Aspan persisted with its rejection with similar reasons while Puri Asih has made no reply.

I wonder why Aspan turned down my claim without examining the facts and responding to the recommendation for an underwater survey of the cargo and Ekadaya-1, even without the support of adjuster's opinion.

Nonetheless, I maintain my goodwill by continuing my marine cargo coverage with Aspan and paying a monthly average premium of Rp 15 million. I feel disappointed and would like to see Aspan's reciprocal response to my goodwill. I have the same attitude to Puri Asih. I wonder if they just want to get premiums without considering their business relations with the insured.

FRANKY SETIAWAN, Jakarta