SINGAPORE: The family of a nine-year-old pupil who died after he was hit by a car outside his school will receive S$15,000 from NTUC Income.
The insurer said it will make an "exceptional" payout under its Student Protection Plan, even though the fatal accident happened before the contract was finalised.
Lee Yu Heng, a
Primary Four pupil of Sembawang Primary School, was knocked down by a
car when he was crossing the road just outside the school's entrance in
Sembawang Drive at about 1.30pm last Friday. He died later in the
evening.
NTUC Income said its decision to pay is unusual from a
legal stand as insurers do not have the liability to pay as long as
there is no signed contract.
It said that in this case, the
school decided to award the contract to NTUC Income but the accident
occurred while the paperwork had yet to be settled.
NTUC Income investigated and chose to honour the intent of the contract and make the payout.
Under
the Student Protection Plan taken by Sembawang Primary School, pupils
are insured for death, disability and medical expenses from accidents.
Under
circumstances of death, the payout is S$15,000. There will be an
additional payout when the deceased's hospital expenses are confirmed.
Senior
vice president & general manager of NTUC Income's Group &
Health Division, Ms Lee How Teck, said: "NTUC Income felt it was the
right thing to do to put people above processes ... We hope the payout
will help provide some relief to Yu Heng's family in this trying time."
- CNA/cc