Taskforce on compulsory insurance inaugurated

The National Insurance Commission (NIC), has inaugurated a five- member national taskforce for the enforcement of compulsory insurances of commercial buildings and vehicles.

Compulsory insurances are designed to cover the legal liabilities of owners or occupiers of commercial buildings or vehicles in respect of bodily injury to users and third parties, loss of life or death suffered by users and third parties and damage to property belonging to users and members of the public.

The taskforce would be responsible for the arrest and prosecution of offenders.

They include Mr Joseph Bentum, Head of Marketing, Research, and External Relations, NIC, Chief Superintendent of Police John Naami, Director of Operations, Criminal Investigation Department, and Deputy Chief Fire Officer Kwame Quarteng, Greater Accra Regional Commander of Ghana National Fire Service.

The rest are Deputy Superintendent of Police Alex Adzevi, Head, Rapid Deployment Service, Ghana Police Service and Mrs Esther Yeboah, a representative from Ghana Insurance Association.

Mr Simon N.K.Davor Deputy Commissioner of Insurance said the Commission has carried out series of sensitisation activities as well as seminars for the industry on the requirements of the law.

He said adherence to the law offers continuity to commercial entities by reducing the negative impact on their businesses as a result of these unfortunate incidents.

Mr Davor said the compulsory insurance would make room for complementary funding for the Motor Insurance Compensation Fund and the Fire Fund, which would provide funds and equipment to state institutions and other organisations assigned to fire fighting function.

He said it is the responsibility of all to ensure that people have in place the required insurance policies to ensure that adequate compensation is made available for claimants.

He said an analysis of motor vehicles licensed by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority and Motor Insurance Stickers issued by the insurance companies on motor vehicles indicates that the majority of motor vehicles remain uninsured.

Mr Davor urged the public to contact an insurance company or insurance broker to arrange the required insurances in order to avoid falling foul of the law and prosecution.

Commissioner of Police (COP) John Kudalor, Director-General of Police Operations said the mandate of the taskforce allows them to work with all relevant institutions, agencies and bodies to ensure compliance with all laws.

He said the compulsory insurance of all commercial buildings is to protect lives and property which is one of the functions and trust the taskforce would execute diligently.

COP Kudalor cautioned the taskforce not to use their mandate to intimidate, extort or harass property owners since the law would not respect anyone found to operate outside his or her jurisdiction.