Passengers Advised to Confirm Vehicle Insurance Validity Before Travel
Mr. Kofi Andoh, the Acting Commissioner of Insurance in Ghana, is urging the public to check the validity of vehicle insurance before boarding commercial vehicles. This advice comes as part of ongoing efforts to enhance road safety and protect passengers.
This call was made during a symposium on Motor Insurance and the Motor Compensation Fund (Comp Fund) organized by the National Insurance Commission in Wa, the capital of the Upper West Region. The event brought together key stakeholders from the insurance and road safety sectors to promote collaboration and knowledge sharing.
Mr. Andoh emphasized that the main goal of insurance is to ensure the safety of individuals and society as a whole. He specifically encouraged passengers to verify that the commercial vehicles they intend to use have valid insurance coverage. He highlighted the ease with which this can be done using a shortcode.
To facilitate this process, the National Insurance Commission digitized the motor insurance database. Passengers can now check a vehicle’s insurance status by using the shortcode 92057# followed by the vehicle’s registration number. Mr. Andoh explained that this system was implemented to combat the issue of fake insurance documents, making it easier for everyone to confirm a vehicle’s insurance status.
“It is easy for them and indeed for anybody to check whether a vehicle is insured or not. If you, say a passenger traveling you can check whether the vehicle you want to board is insured or not,” Mr. Andoh stated, highlighting the importance of pre-travel checks.
Continuing, Mr. Andoh stated “Today, in 2024 board say a bus and it got involved in an accident and realised that the bus was not insured, and somehow, I will say it is your fault, because you can check, you can check any time before you board any commercial vehicle.”
Mr. Andoh also stressed the importance of policyholders upholding the principle of “Utmost Good Faith,” which allows insurance companies to properly evaluate risks and set appropriate prices.
ASP Paul Boakye Yiadom, the Upper West Regional Commander of the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD), also spoke at the event. He underlined the significance of comprehensive insurance coverage on the roads.
“Insurance provides a safety net for parties involved in road accidents. It ensures victims are able to receive compensation and necessary medical treatment. And it helps drivers and riders to avoid financial ruin by covering repair costs and liability fees,” ASP Yiadom pointed out.
He added, “In essence, Insurance provides and promotes responsible driving and riding behavior and foster a course of accountability on our roads.”
Osman Abudu, the Chief Operating Officer of Sunu Assurance and a Member of the Motor Compensation Fund, discussed instances when an insurance company might deny compensation. He explained that this could happen if the vehicle is not correctly insured or if it’s being driven by someone without a license.
Mr. Abudu also noted that the Motor Compensation Fund serves as a last resort for compensation, requiring claimants to demonstrate that they’ve unsuccessfully pursued a claim with the insurer of the at-fault driver or vehicle owner.
