Free insurance scheme for furniture dealers

Thiruvananthapuram: Furniture Manufacturers and Merchants Association (FuMMA) has launched a free insurance scheme for furniture dealers in the state, offering them cover from natural calamities and theft.
The scheme has been devised following reports that several FuMMA members suffered huge losses during the recent deluge in the state.

According to the association, 90% of FuMMA members do not have any insurance coverage against losses suffered during such calamities. “Furniture merchants were hugely affected by the recent calamity. The insurance package we are introducing in tie-up with the New India Assurance Company will give a cover of up to Rs 12 lakh for small-scale furniture merchants,” said FuMMA district president Shahjahan Kalluparambil.

The plan is to provide free insurance coverage to a minimum of 100 members in each district and a total of 1,500 members in the state. Though only association members are eligible for the coverage under the scheme, the association membership has been kept open for fresh applicants. The membership is free.

The premium for the insurance scheme will be mobilized through furniture festivals to be conducted annually and through sponsorship mainly from the furniture raw-material suppliers, said office-bearers of the association.