Drivers and vehicle owners who have been subjected to unfair treatment by insurance companies have been admonished to report the companies to the National Insurance Commission (NIC) for appropriate action to be taken.
This advice comes after reports of undue delay or denial of claims payment by insurance companies after damages due to accidents.
Atiah Emmanuel, a tricycle operator in the Bolgatanga Municipality of the Upper East Region recounted the unfair treatment meted out to him when his tricycle was involved in an accident.
According to him, most insurance companies are always at the receiving end but in the event of an accident, they either delay or refused to pay claims to their clients.
But speaking to the media, the Upper East Regional Manager of the National Insurance Commission (NIC), Ernest Osei Adofo said concerns have come to the notice of the commission about some insurance companies. He said the commission has introduced claims guidelines that regulate the processes for the insurance companies to pay claims on time.
Regardless, Mr. Osei has advised the public to report insurance companies that deliberately delay or refuse to pay valid claims to clients.
“Every insurance company is required to pay claims within five working days upon receipt of all the necessary documentation. So, if the public has reason or course to believe that an insurance company is unduly delaying their claims, they are advised to contact the office of the National Insurance Commission for assistance. We will address the complaints with all the necessary speed required and our services are free. The public is advised that when there is an accident, they also go by the conditions by immediately notifying the insurance companies and the police so that the appropriate actions are taken.”
The NIC Regional Manager made this known during an exercise to educate drivers and motor riders on the need to insure their vehicles and motorbikes. The maiden exercise that took place along the Bolgatanga-Tamale highway in the region was supported by the Ghana Police Service. It was detected that some of the drivers and riders had expired licenses and insurance while others are operating without insurance cover. Mr. Osei mentioned that the importance of insurance guarantees financial freedom to vehicle owners when an accident occurs.
Source: A1radioonline.com|101.1MHz|Joshua Asaah|Ghana
