Instant insurance, a concern for traffic police

Shirajiv Sirimane

MOBILE SCHEMES: Introduction of payment on instance insurance claims for motor accidents by leading insurance companies is creating a series of problems for the traffic police and for security as well.

The insurance companies a few years ago introduced the settlement of insurance claims at the point of the accident mainly to avoid police procedure.

"This scheme is very popular among motorists," said Deputy General Manager Marketing Janashakthi Insurance, Ravi Liyanage said. However, a senior Traffic Police official said that due to this, the Police are not in a position to maintain an account of minor accidents and damage to property caused by accidents. "This has resulted in Police being unable to plan traffic arrangements and also identify routes which are prone to regular accidents," he said.

The official also said that planning of security for VIPs too is a problem since the Police do not have accounts of accidents that are settled by insurance companies and are unable to identify routes safe for fast driving.

Liyanage said that to avoid this situation they are planning to provide an account of accident claims that were settled by the companies to the Police. "This would help the Police to keep a track of accidents and property damage and we are taking a lead in this matter and asking other insurance companies to follow suit," he said.

He said that the insurance industry has grown after the tsunami since the people were happy in the manner in which the insurance companies settled their claims. He said there is an increased demand for terrorism cover and for property in the North East.