Holocaust-Related Insurance Claims to Be Discussed

The Jewish Federation will hold a meeting tonight in the Fairfax district to discuss proposed legislation that would allow Holocaust survivors and their heirs to sue insurance companies for unpaid claims in California courts.

The bill, sponsored by Assemblyman Wally Knox (D-Los Angeles), would also waive the statute of limitation for insurance policies that were issued to Holocaust victims and survivors, said Knox spokeswoman Colleen Beamish. For decades, families affected by the World War II genocide have sought repayment through insurance policies for property, life and other assets destroyed during the war, said Michael Hirschfeld of the federation.

“There are as many as 6,000 heirs and survivors [of the Holocaust] in California alone,” said Hirschfeld.

Last month, leaders of major Jewish organizations, four European insurance companies and the California and New York insurance departments agreed to establish an international commission to resolve pending insurance claims in an expedited manner.

For information: (213) 761-8160.