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stoth1972

Hi folks:

Just curious if any residents affected by the cyclone in Oman ever got (or have been promised) money from the government? I heard inspectors have come around to some homes, asking about damage and such. Just curious if the affected expat population will actually receive any of those funds.

Sleepwalker · Joined: 02 Feb 2007 Posts: 454 Location: Reading the screen

My friend was flooded out - lost furniture, passport, certificates, car, clothes etc etc - took over a week to get the mud out of the house.

He was visited and a form completed and was given a number - since then nothing. Some of the people in Quriat who lost their homes have been given money to start re-building but no-one else yet. The Sultan (as far as my friend knows) promised compensation but the wheels are moving slowly.

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

I'm just speculating, but I expect that Omanis will be compensated, but most expats will not. Fair enough I suppose. Neither citizens nor expats would get much of anything in the US. If you hadn't purchased insurance on your property and assets, you are out of luck in 99% of this type of emergency. Maybe some temporary emergency housing... some low-cost loans... that's it.

Anyone seen any discussion of what % of all those flooded out cars were insured?

VS

stoth1972 · Posted: Sun Jul 15, 2007 2:44 pm Post subject:

Sleepwalker, my friend's inlaws came filled out that reports, too, but no cash as of yet as far as I know. What about cars and such? They didn't own the flat in Muscat, so it's up to the owner to collect those funds.

Sleepwalker · Joined: 02 Feb 2007 Posts: 454 Location: Reading the screen

I'm waiting with interest to see what will happen - my friend heard that there had been an announcement stating that both Omanis and residents would be compensated and he has the number slip (not the landlord) as the property was not damaged - just the contents.

He's been in his house for years and has never had a problem with flooding when it rains - during Gonu, the dam gates were opened and this caused the flooding in the area.

He also told me that a number of people thought they had insurance but it did not cover 'an act of God' so a lot of people thought they were insured but were not.

Let's see if anything will happen.

Sleepwalker · Joined: 02 Feb 2007 Posts: 454 Location: Reading the screen

I'm waiting with interest to see what will happen - my friend heard that there had been an announcement stating that both Omanis and residents would be compensated and he has the number slip (not the landlord) as the property was not damaged - just the contents.

He's been in his house for years and has never had a problem with flooding when it rains - during Gonu, the dam gates were opened and this caused the flooding in the area.

He also told me that a number of people thought they had insurance but it did not cover 'an act of God' so a lot of people thought they were insured but were not.

It's been a nightmare for many people by all accounts - let's hope there's a light at the end of the tunnel for them.

omanized · Joined: 04 Jun 2006 Posts: 152

Did you know that over 80% of all cars in Oman have only 3rd party insurance ?? That means zilch for the many hundreds or thousands of people who didn't have comprehensive coverage. I have a friend who had home insurance for his flat contents - one of only a few I am sure - the claims adjuster came within a few days, probably because he didn't have a lot of other clients !

and btw, what does the term " force majure" mean ? Is it another way of saying "act of God" or is it really another way of saying, " Ha! you have paid insurance premiums for years and now we have a 'get out of jail free' card and don't have to pay you ! Sucker....."

Probably in very fine print at the bottom of the policy......

omzd

Sleepwalker · Joined: 02 Feb 2007 Posts: 454 Location: Reading the screen

force majure = force of nature = act of God?

Yes - this must be a great get out clause for non-payment of insurance claims.

My friend said there were meny Omanis in temporary accommodation (mainly schools ) - does anyone know where they are living now as their houses are being rebuilt? It must be very bad for the unemployed as they will have no funds to re-start their lives.

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

I am not surprised that 80% of the cars have only the minimum required liability insurance. Even many with decent salaries seem to not bother with full insurance. One of the professors at SQU ran into my car and first tried his hardest to convince the police - all in Arabic, of course - that it was my fault. Then the fellow tried to negotiate a deal where I would say it was my fault so that he could make a claim on my insurance... but then I would lose my low 'no-claims' premium... so no way.

Insurance always has fine print that lets them out of paying for things. I suspect that since few are insured, most claims will be paid. Often the fine print declares something about how flooding damage occurred. For instance, in New Orleans, if your home was destroyed by the wind or the hurricane, you got paid. But, if it was flooded out because the levees broke, they didn't pay. So, very few individuals received payment. But, one really can't blame insurance companies for saying... err... you are below sea level, we would have to be crazy to insure you.

If everyone in Oman had been insured, they would have probably suddenly decided that anyone in a certain proximity to a known wadi wouldn't get paid.

VS

Sleepwalker · Joined: 02 Feb 2007 Posts: 454 Location: Reading the screen

Hi everyone

Just got an email from my friend - a cheque was waiting for him when he returned from leave - it was issued by his company and he had an accompanying letter saying that the company was working in conjunction with the government.

It covered his losses so as you can imagine, he's very happy.

Any other success stories on the compensation front?

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

Wow... I'm impressed. But then, Oman has always been an impressive place in so many ways. I wonder how much it depends on your employer and length of service.

VS

Sleepwalker · Joined: 02 Feb 2007 Posts: 454 Location: Reading the screen

Just had an email - my friend heard (through the grapevine) that the Wali was issuing compensation cheques.

He went up to the office and received a cheque from the government. He was also told that if the amount was insufficient, that he could apply for further funds to a charitable organisation.

He thanked them for their generosity - as you can imagine, he's still stunned.

mishmumkin · Joined: 01 Sep 2007 Posts: 929

Sleepwalker · Joined: 02 Feb 2007 Posts: 454 Location: Reading the screen

I think your friend was given wrong advice - my friend is from the UK and rents accommodation - the Diwan came around and filled in the forms and the compensation comes from what was recorded - they saw everyone who lived in the area (irrespective of nationality) and there was a section for car damage/loss in the form.

I don't know if it is too late but your friend should contact the local Wali's office - any compensation is better than none.

I just know my friend has gone from despair to thinking he can get his life back on course.

mishmumkin · Joined: 01 Sep 2007 Posts: 929

Sleepwalker,
They did come around w/ the forms apparently. The reason for not getting money had more to do with ownership of the property where the cars where parked, or so they were told. Perhaps the owner of the property collected the maximum in terms of benefits...at any rate, I'll pass your friend's experience along.