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Reported Oct 11, 2026Quickanomics write-up updated Oct 11, 2026, version 14 min read
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Jamaican insurers report substantial hurricane payments, but category differences and the definition of settlement leave important gaps before the FSC’s planned review.
Jamaican insurers have reported J$54.35 billion in property and motor payments arising from Hurricane Melissa, while 983 claims remained outstanding at September 30, 2026, according to new Insurance Association of Jamaica figures published by the Gleaner. The storm struck in October 2025.
The association counted 8,357 settled claims out of 9,340 across the specified categories, an overall settlement rate of 89.5%. Its figures come from participating insurers and can change as assessments and settlements progress. They offer a record of the industry’s response, with a definition of settlement that matters when interpreting the headline rate.
Settled does not always mean paid. The association includes claims closed after full and final payment, but also those closed because the insurer has no liability, the claimant withdraws the claim or the loss falls below the policy’s deductible. The count consequently cannot be read as proof that every settled policyholder received money.
Property claims account for J$51.98 billion of the payments and motor claims for J$2.37 billion. Within property insurance, commercial claims received J$41.61 billion, or 80%, and residential claims J$10.37 billion. Those payment totals describe amounts distributed, while the settlement rate describes the number of cases closed.
IAJ president Rosemarie Henry said more detailed disclosure and further updates were intended to improve transparency. She described the payments as an important contribution to recovery, while recognising continuing concerns about outstanding claims, especially in commercial and tourism businesses, and disputes involving deductibles, valuations and underinsurance. The association said it would keep monitoring claims and engaging insurers, the FSC, brokers, loss adjusters and affected stakeholders.
St James received the largest recorded property payout, J$30.55 billion, representing 58.8% of the property total. Hanover received J$3.52 billion, Westmoreland J$2.94 billion and St Ann J$1.75 billion. Another J$9.33 billion related to islandwide and multi-location policies. St James, Hanover and Westmoreland together accounted for approximately 71.2% of recorded property payments.
The association said relatively low insurance payouts in badly damaged St Elizabeth reflected limited insurance penetration. That qualification prevents the payment map from being mistaken for a complete map of hurricane losses: owners without adequate cover can sustain heavy damage without appearing prominently in insurance payments.
Settlement also varies by category. Motor claims reached 96.5%, residential property 85.7%, commercial property 83.1% and engineering claims 55.2%. Commercial and residential property accounted for 740 of the 983 unfinished cases, approximately 75% of the remaining workload.
General-insurance vice-president Tammara Glaves-Hucey said the figures would help focus work on unresolved assessments, reinstatement, documentation and claims requiring additional review. Insurers were working with loss adjusters and customers, whose settlement timelines had differed.
Alongside delays, policyholders have raised concerns about how claims are valued. An average clause can reduce payments where a property is insured below its value or required level of cover. Interim payments are available where appropriate, the association said, but remain subject to policy terms and reinsurance arrangements.
The industry disclosure comes before a separate verified review by the Financial Services Commission. The update is planned for October 16, 2026. In a Thursday release reported by the Gleaner, executive director Keron Burrell said the FSC intended to distinguish fully settled claims from partly settled cases, agreed amounts awaiting payment, disputes and claims still being assessed.
The regulator is meeting insurers to identify prolonged delays, weaknesses in communication and additional assessment or documentation requirements, and to determine whether further supervisory action is needed. Burrell said delayed payouts can hold back home repairs, business continuity, employment and wider recovery. Responsibility for settling individual claims remains with insurers under their policy terms.
General insurance liabilities increased from J$63.3 billion in September 2025 to J$151.7 billion in June 2026. The FSC attributed part of the change to Melissa but warned about the figures’ limits. Its claims-level analysis is intended to establish settlement progress more accurately, so the liability totals should not be presented as a tally of unpaid hurricane claims.
The FSC expects insurers to explain their decisions clearly and resolve outstanding matters promptly. A policyholder dissatisfied with the handling of a claim should first use the insurer’s complaints process and may then make a written complaint to the commission.
The FSC says dissatisfied customers should use their insurer’s complaints process first and may then submit a written complaint to the regulator.
The FSC says delayed settlements can impede repairs, business continuity and employment.
Reports from the same original source are not independent confirmation.
The Insurance Association of Jamaica reports J$54.35 billion paid on property and motor claims from Hurricane Melissa as at September 30, 2026. Across the specified categories, 8,357 of 9,340 claims were settled, an 89.5% settlement rate, leaving 983 outstanding. Hurricane Melissa struck in October 2025.
The Insurance Association of Jamaica reports J$54.35 billion paid on property and motor claims from Hurricane Melissa as at September 30, 2026. Across the specified categories, 8,357 of 9,340 claims were settled, an 89.5% settlement rate, leaving 983 outstanding. Hurricane Melissa struck in October 2025.Jamaica Gleaner: Insurers pay $54b in Melissa claims, 983 outstanding
Participating insurers supplied the figures for specified claim categories, and assessments and settlements can change them. Settled means full and final payment or closure for no insurer liability, withdrawal, or a loss below the deductible. The settlement count is therefore not exclusively a count of paid claims.
Settled does not always mean paid.
Participating insurers supplied the figures for specified claim categories, and assessments and settlements can change them. Settled means full and final payment or closure for no insurer liability, withdrawal, or a loss below the deductible. The settlement count is therefore not exclusively a count of paid claims.Jamaica Gleaner: Insurers pay $54b in Melissa claims, 983 outstanding
Property payments were J$51.98 billion and motor payments J$2.37 billion. Commercial property received J$41.61 billion, 80% of property payments; residential property received J$10.37 billion.
Property payments were J$51.98 billion and motor payments J$2.37 billion. Commercial property received J$41.61 billion, 80% of property payments; residential property received J$10.37 billion.Jamaica Gleaner: Insurers pay $54b in Melissa claims, 983 outstanding
Property payments included J$30.55 billion in St James, 58.8% of the property total; J$3.52 billion in Hanover; J$2.94 billion in Westmoreland; J$1.75 billion in St Ann; and J$9.33 billion for islandwide and multi-location policies. St James, Hanover and Westmoreland together accounted for approximately 71.2% of recorded property payments.
Property payments included J$30.55 billion in St James, 58.8% of the property total; J$3.52 billion in Hanover; J$2.94 billion in Westmoreland; J$1.75 billion in St Ann; and J$9.33 billion for islandwide and multi-location policies. St James, Hanover and Westmoreland together accounted for approximately 71.2% of recorded property payments.Jamaica Gleaner: Insurers pay $54b in Melissa claims, 983 outstanding
The association attributes relatively low payouts in severely damaged St Elizabeth to limited insurance penetration, highlighting property owners without adequate cover rather than demonstrating that losses there were small.
The association attributes relatively low payouts in severely damaged St Elizabeth to limited insurance penetration, highlighting property owners without adequate cover rather than demonstrating that losses there were small.Jamaica Gleaner: Insurers pay $54b in Melissa claims, 983 outstanding
Reported settlement rates were 96.5% for motor claims, 85.7% for residential property, 83.1% for commercial property, and 55.2% for engineering claims. Commercial and residential property made up 740 outstanding claims, approximately 75% of the 983 remaining claims.
Reported settlement rates were 96.5% for motor claims, 85.7% for residential property, 83.1% for commercial property, and 55.2% for engineering claims. Commercial and residential property made up 740 outstanding claims, approximately 75% of the 983 remaining claims.Jamaica Gleaner: Insurers pay $54b in Melissa claims, 983 outstanding
IAJ president Rosemarie Henry said additional information and continued updates were intended to improve transparency. She described payments as a contribution to recovery while acknowledging concern about outstanding claims, particularly commercial and tourism claims and disputes over deductibles, valuations and underinsurance. The IAJ said it would continue monitoring claims and engaging insurers, the FSC, brokers, loss adjusters and affected stakeholders.
IAJ president Rosemarie Henry said additional information and continued updates were intended to improve transparency. She described payments as a contribution to recovery while acknowledging concern about outstanding claims, particularly commercial and tourism claims and disputes over deductibles, valuations and underinsurance. The IAJ said it would continue monitoring claims and engaging insurers, the FSC, brokers, loss adjusters and affected stakeholders.Jamaica Gleaner: Insurers pay $54b in Melissa claims, 983 outstanding
IAJ general-insurance vice-president Tammara Glaves-Hucey said the data would help focus attention on unresolved assessments, reinstatement work, documentation and further review. Insurers were working with loss adjusters and customers. An average clause can reduce payment when insurance is below the property value or required cover. Interim payments may be made where appropriate, subject to policy terms and reinsurance arrangements.
IAJ general-insurance vice-president Tammara Glaves-Hucey said the data would help focus attention on unresolved assessments, reinstatement work, documentation and further review. Insurers were working with loss adjusters and customers. An average clause can reduce payment when insurance is below the property value or required cover. Interim payments may be made where appropriate, subject to policy terms and reinsurance arrangements.Jamaica Gleaner: Insurers pay $54b in Melissa claims, 983 outstanding
The Gleaner reports that FSC executive director Keron Burrell, in a release issued on Thursday, said the regulator was targeting October 16, 2026 for a verified Hurricane Melissa claims update. Its proposed categories distinguish fully settled, partly settled, agreed but unpaid, disputed, and still-assessed claims. The update was planned, not already published.
The update is planned for October 16, 2026.
The Gleaner reports that FSC executive director Keron Burrell, in a release issued on Thursday, said the regulator was targeting October 16, 2026 for a verified Hurricane Melissa claims update. Its proposed categories distinguish fully settled, partly settled, agreed but unpaid, disputed, and still-assessed claims. The update was planned, not already published.Jamaica Gleaner: Ja’s insurance regulator to publish Hurricane Melissa claims review amid settlement delays
General insurance liabilities increased from J$63.3 billion in September 2025 to J$151.7 billion in June 2026. The FSC said Melissa partly explained the change but cautioned about the limits of those figures; its claims analysis was intended to give a more accurate view of settlement progress.
General insurance liabilities increased from J$63.3 billion in September 2025 to J$151.7 billion in June 2026. The FSC said Melissa partly explained the change but cautioned about the limits of those figures; its claims analysis was intended to give a more accurate view of settlement progress.Jamaica Gleaner: Ja’s insurance regulator to publish Hurricane Melissa claims review amid settlement delays
Burrell said delayed settlement can impede repairs, business continuity, employment and economic recovery. The FSC continued meetings with insurers about prolonged settlement, communication and documentation, and whether more supervisory action was required. Insurers remain responsible for settling claims under individual policy terms.
Burrell said delayed settlement can impede repairs, business continuity, employment and economic recovery. The FSC continued meetings with insurers about prolonged settlement, communication and documentation, and whether more supervisory action was required. Insurers remain responsible for settling claims under individual policy terms.Jamaica Gleaner: Ja’s insurance regulator to publish Hurricane Melissa claims review amid settlement delays
The FSC expects clear explanations of settlement decisions and prompt resolution of outstanding matters. Dissatisfied policyholders should first use their insurer’s complaints process, then may send a written complaint to the FSC.
The FSC expects clear explanations of settlement decisions and prompt resolution of outstanding matters. Dissatisfied policyholders should first use their insurer’s complaints process, then may send a written complaint to the FSC.Jamaica Gleaner: Ja’s insurance regulator to publish Hurricane Melissa claims review amid settlement delays
Both reports identify unfinished claims and the need for clearer information.
The IAJ provides insurer-reported payment and closure totals; the FSC is preparing a separate verified assessment with more detailed settlement stages.
The remaining claims’ total unpaid value and the forthcoming FSC findings are not established.
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