Mr. Jack Husbands is the newly appointed chair of the Insurance Tribunal.

Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith, OBE expresses sincere thanks to the previous chair, Mr. Eric Ball for his commitment to addressing the concerns of residents as they navigated the insurance claims process. Additionally, he congratulated Mr. Husbands for serving the Territory in this new capacity.

Mr. Husbands is an Attorney-At-Law registered in the British Virgin Islands and is a fellow of the Charted Institute of Arbitrators. Mr. Husbands also served as a former Partner of a BVI law firm for a number of years and is a member of the BVI Bar Association.

The Insurance Tribunal was created by the Financial Services (Continuity of Business) Act, 2007 through the passage of the Act at the sitting of the House of Assembly on December 4.

The public is reminded that the Insurance Tribunal:

(a)       receives and investigate reports from persons (the “insured”) who are aggrieved by a decision of an insurer with respect to any claims they have lodged or filed with the insurer;

(b)       mediates between an insurer and the insured with the objective of enabling an amicable settlement between the insurer and the insured; and,

(c)       advises an insured of its options in the event that the insurer and the insured are unable to reach an amicable settlement.

Persons wishing to contact the Insurance Tribunal should address matters to the attention of the Secretary, Mrs. Rhonda Hodge-Smith at insurancetribunal@bvifsc.vg or Insurance Tribunal c/o BVI Financial Services Commission, Haycraft Building, Pasea Estate, Tortola, VG1110, Virgin Islands.

Other members include Ms. Elenor Smith, Mrs. Icis Malone, Mr. Everett O’Neal and Mrs. Violet Gaul.

The Insurance Tribunal will remain active until Premier Smith gives notice of members’ termination, having regard to the completion by the Tribunal of its mandate.