Be ready to pay third party motor insurance claims, stakeholders urge insurers

Some stakeholders in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have urged insurance companies to be ready to pay the claims that will emanate from their subscription to third party motor insurance policy.

The stakeholders said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Sunday.

They said that the era of pocketing the third party motor insurance premium without settling claims was over as Nigerians were now better informed of their obligations and rights.

Victor Ukong, an Abuja-based motorist, said that the enforcement of the third party motor insurance had enabled him to gain better knowledge about the issue.

Ukong said that although he had been buying the insurance cover, he did not know its essence.

”Since I started driving, anytime I go to renew my vehicle papers, I pay for insurance but I did not know the use.

”Since this enforcement thing started, I have gained more knowledge on the topic because so many people are talking about it.

”This means that over the years, these insurance companies have been taking my money without paying me anything. This has to stop because I am ready for them,” he said.

Mrs Lydia Abe, another motorist and a Civil Servant, said that she would henceforth demand his entitlement from insurance companies.

”Nobody prays for an accident or anything to go wrong while driving, but these insurance companies should be held accountable,” she said.

Ms Glory Eke, a motorist and a business owner, called on the authorities to ensure that insurance companies paid victims of aaccidents their entitlements.

Sam Onyeka, the Lead Director of the Transparent Protection Limited (TPL)/GTE, an insurance non-governmental organisation (NGO), urged insurance ccompanies to be ready to settle claims.

Onyeka said that most insurance companies would not on their own want to pay claims except they were properly checked.

He urged the public to visit the office of TPL for insurance advise and other related issues.

”This is a time for people to come to TPL, an organisation that is working in the insurance industry and fighting to make sure that both NAICOM and insurance companies work,” he said.