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