Ecowas insurers discuss claims management for brown card scheme

At least 70 insurers in the sub-regional economic bloc, Ecowas, Wednesday gather in Banjul to discuss claims management regarding the Brown Card Insurance Scheme in West Africa.

The April 23-25 event is the 1^st zonal meeting this year of the Ecowas Brown Card Scheme hosted by the The Gambia National Bureau of Ecowas Brown Card.

It is being preceded by an extra-ordinary general assembly to enable the Scheme adopt a new ‘Consensus Brown Card’ for use in all Ecowas member states.

The Brown Card Scheme is a compulsory insurance cover for third party liability against accident involving vehicles traveling across the West African sub-region.  It covers death, medical expenses, bodily injury and material damage.

“The essence of insurance is defeated when companies default on their most basic function, the timely settlement of genuine claims,” says Basirou Njai, a deputy governor of the Central Bank of The Gambia (CBG).

He says claims management and settlement lies at the heart of the Scheme as one of the most important aspects in the functioning of an insurance company.

           

Njai says speedy claims settlement could make a difference in a market that is highly competitive and economically challenging.

Ebou L. Bittaye, chairman of the Gambia National Bureau, says “the meeting is expected to arrive at firm resolutions and decisions about the new brown card and settlement that would be acceptable by all.”

The three-day meeting will discuss pertinent issues relating to the Consensus Brown Card and claims settlement under the scheme, adds Mr Bittaye, also the managing director of Global Security Insurance Company.

Technocrats say “the Ecowas Brown Card Insurance Scheme is the most successful tool for integration within the sub-region as it facilitates the safe movement of peoples and goods in West Africa.”

           

Soriba Cisse, chairperson of the Ecowas Council of Bureaux, explains that the Scheme was established by a Protocol signed by Ecowas heads of state in Cotonou, Benin in May 1982. 

He says its objective are to enhance the free movement of road users and foster a real regional integration, and to guarantee a fair and prompt compensation to the victims of road accidents for losses suffered by visiting motorists traveling from other Ecowas member countries.

Written by Modou S. Joof

 

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