Chhimi Dema   

With increasing domestic tourism in the country, Bhutan Insurance Limited (BIL) introduced domestic travel and transit insurance.

The domestic travel insurance offers three packages (standard, gold and platinum) to individuals, family, nyamro, office-goers and pilgrims. The insurance covers dead body repatriation, emergency medical evacuation and expenses.

The company also launched mobile app (m-BIL) along with the insurance policies last week.

The app provides clients with services to view details on loans and insurance policies, repayment of loan instalments, generate instant online payment receipts, claim status tracker and make payment on behalf of others.

BIL’s general manager, Sonam Tobgay, said the app, which would also work offline, provides the location of the nearest BIL offices where they can claim their insurance.

He said the overall objective was to change the mindset of people that insurance is important and not an expense. “Insurance is in an infant stage in Bhutan. Our major intention is to introduce insurance as an important component in providing security and developing the economy.”

Sonam Tobgay said the insurance helps to reduce financial burden in times of need.

The domestic transit insurance provides basic coverage for goods that are lost or damaged during the transit.

The company provides homeowners, office, contractor, merchant and sanampa transit insurance.

Sonam Tobgay said that since the pandemic affected the livelihood of individuals, further losses of their goods or produces might impact them severely. “BIL felt the need to try and reduce the burden on the individuals, agencies or businesses that were affected.”