State joins efforts to settle Holocaust victim insurance claims

Agreeing that nearly 60 years is far too long to wait, Nevada's Insurance Division is joining efforts to finally settle insurance claims for World War II Holocaust victims.

"We know there are many Holocaust survivors in Nevada," said Insurance Commissioner Alice Molasky-Arman. "Many of these victims are an aging population and this may be our last chance to help them recover their losses."

The state is joining other states in efforts by the International Commission on Holocaust Era Insurance Claims to force insurance companies to finally pay up. Division officials say the claims involve everything from business losses to personal property, medical and life insurance issued to people who became victims of the Holocaust.

Lawrence Eagleburger, who heads the international commission, said the goal is to find all the potential claimants and pay their insurance claims.

Division officials say there are about 100 known survivors in Nevada but that the real number of those with valid claims living in the Silver State is probably closer to 200.

Only one claim has been paid to a Nevada resident under the program.

Individuals and members of families of Holocaust victims who had insurance policies in World War II are invited to call the Nevada Insurance Division to add their claims to the list. They may also qualify for part of a $90 million humanitarian fund set up to provide support for claimants.

Molasky-Arman said the commission has set up a system that makes filing a claim as simple as possible. Claimants don't have to file charges or hire a lawyer. But all claims must be filed by Feb. 1, 2002.

The International Commission's number is (800) 957-3203. The Nevada Insurance Division telephone number is 687-4270.

For more information, call 687-4270.