Claim, compensation of Macao tour bus crash very complicated: insurance expert

MACAO - The claim and compensation of Macao's tour bus crash accident could be very complicated and time-consuming, local news paper reported on Tuesday quoting an insurance expert.

At least 32 tourists from the Chinese mainland were injured, three seriously, on Monday when a tour bus crashed into a building in Macao, and the driver was arrested for suspected dangerous driving, the special administrative region's authorities said.

According to Macao Public Security Police Force (PSPF), the accident happened when the bus stopped downslope in a street close to the Ruins of St. Paul, one of Macao's famous tourist attractions. A white van rear-ended the bus and the bus driver got off to check the situation. The bus suddenly moved down through the slope without the driver and rammed into a roadside clinic.

According to Macao Daily News, the accident involves multiple parties such as the bus owner, tourists, driver, travel agencies, the clinic, the building and households who live there. An insurance expert said if it is the bus' fault, the affected parties could ask the travel agencies for compensation. But given the complicated situation, responsibilities recognition procedure, and possible law suits, it could be as long as one year or even longer.

For the injured tourists, the expert added, the easier way could be personal claim under the travel insurance policy, including compensation for medical expense and loss of personal properties. The insurance companies will then come to the insurer of the tour bus for compensation.

The Macao SAR government held an emergence response meeting late Monday to coordinate the works of different departments, including transport, public security, health, tourism, immigration, airport management, travel agencies. The meeting discussed accident rescue and treatment, family visit of the injured, and travel document extension for those still hospitalized.

Macao's travel office said it reported the accident to the National Tourism Administration and the Tourism Administration of neighboring Guangdong Province. The office will help the families of the injured tourists come to Macao for visit.