Natural disasters are becoming frequent all over the world: hurricanes causing havoc along the cost of the United States and across Central America and the Caribbean, destructive fires in France, and record breaking floods in Pakistan due to climate change. And while the news reels flashing show the damage that is being caused by such events, there is also psychological impact to consider which is less visible. These events will leave their marks on individuals for a long time, regardless of whether they suffer a material loss, physical, or mental impact, and the psychological trauma can be severe.
When natural disasters occur, the main priority becomes saving one’s life and those of loved ones, getting to safety and finding shelter. An individual who experiences a natural disaster goes must leave the wreckage of their home behind along with the life they have lived.
The victims of natural disasters are often left with:
- Feeling that their life has collapsed
- Feelings of emotional and physical insecurity, in the sense that the place they once called home is no longer a home, and has been impacted by severe destruction
- Uncertainty about the future and where to find safety
- Distress due to the sudden onset of the events as they came without warning and left them feeling unprotected
Insurers have an essential role to play in responding to the human element of such events because policyholders expect more than just compensation. They expect to be accompanied in order to bounce back and consider the material, physical, and mental wellbeing they need to rebuild their life. Victims need to be listened to, heard in what they have experienced, and express in a safe space the psychological trauma they have experienced.
Workplace Options’ Presence program is a unique service for insurance companies to provide emotional support for policyholders who have experienced traumatic events, with the goal to help them restore emotional balance. Download the Supporting Claims report below to learn more about the Presence program.
