Vehicle 0wners, Drivers Call For Review of Insurance Policy

Vehicle owners, commercial drivers and their mates in Hohoe and Kpando have appealed to government to review motor insurance policies that excluded them from receiving claims after accidents. They described the current motor policy, which covers only fare-paying passengers on commercial vehicles, as discriminatory, a negative catalyst and anti-democratic to the transport industry. They said their vehicles were insured according to the number of occupants inclusive of drivers and mates but that same policy excluded them in the event of claims benefits. They called for compulsory inclusion in the motor insurance policy if it would even demand higher premiums. These concerns were raised during sensitization workshops for vehicle owners and drivers in Hohoe and Kpando on "Insurance and Compensation Fund", organised by the National Insurance Commission (NIC). Mrs Emma Ocran, Legal Director of NIC, told them to abide by the operational laws and regulations as pertaining now, while the issue was forwarded to the appropriate authorities for redress. She said their claim was not entirely true as policy holders, drivers and mates were entitled to personal accident benefits of GHc 500 each but that was limited. Police Superintendent Fetus Guh, Kpando Police Commander, urged members of the general public to report all accidents within 24 hours of occurrence, failure constituting an offence.