Insurance claim timeline calculator (Malawi)
What next: the full claim process · complain if a deadline is missed
Indicative: a guide to the dates in the Directive, not legal advice. An investigation may be extended up to 60 working days if the insurer tells you (5(6)(c)). Keep copies and dates of everything you send.
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Get the free PDFThe deadlines the calculator uses
| Paragraph of the Directive | Deadline |
|---|---|
| 5(1) | Within 5 working days of the claim notification: claim forms, instructions and a written acknowledgement with a liaison person's name, number and the claim number. |
| 5(3) | Within 10 working days after that: reply to all other communications from the claimant. |
| 5(4) | Within 5 working days after the 5(3) period: if the claim is not covered, a written explanation why. |
| 5(6) | An investigation by an independent body: not later than 14 days; if extended, the claimant is told and the extension may not exceed 60 working days. |
| 5(7) | Within 7 working days of the investigation report or the settlement documents: the claim processed and the discharge certificate presented. |
| 16(d) | Failure to settle within 14 days after the claim discharge certificate is signed: a fine of up to 25% of the claim. |
| 12(a), 12(c) | A broker notifies the insurer within 5 working days of receiving the claim, and passes on the cheque within 3 working days of receiving it. |
Text: Insurance (Claims Management) Directive, 2014. Working days are counted Monday to Friday; the tool does not know Malawi's public holidays, so a deadline that crosses one falls a day later.
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Frequently asked questions
How long does an insurer in Malawi have to pay a claim?
The Directive does not set one overall deadline: it sets steps (5 working days to acknowledge, an investigation of 14 days up to 60 working days, 7 working days to present the discharge), and the Registrar may fine an insurer up to 25% of the claim if it does not settle within 14 days after the discharge is signed.
What if my insurer misses these deadlines?
Complain to the insurer in writing, then to the Registrar of Financial Institutions at the Reserve Bank of Malawi. See how to complain.