By Nakinskie Robinson
Staggering data have revealed that $17.8 billion in motor insurance claims were paid out for 2023.
This was disclosed by Orville Johnson, Executive Director of the Insurance Association of Jamaica (IAJ).
That revelation comes against the backdrop of the Crash No More 2024 defensive driving workshop, which is a collaborative effort between Grennell Driving School and the IAJ.
Mr. Johnson said the figure emphasises the need for proper training and the use of defensive driving.
“Last year, there were 57,200 motor claims. I know a lot of people have a problem when their claims are not settled on time, but just imagine, approximately 1,000 motor claims are made every week in this country. We don’t see it going down. It’s going up. And so, therefore, it is very important that we grab a hold of the persons so that they can improve their driving,” he said, praising Grennell Driving School for the initiative to further prepare drivers.
Mr. Johnson, who was a guest on Radio Jamaica’s Sunny Side Up, also sought to remind motorists that a reduction in crashes would see a dip in insurance premiums.
Meanwhile, Alfonso Grennell, Managing Director for Grennell Driving School, has urged fleet managers and supervisors to encourage their employees to sign up for the defensive driving workshop.
“Just recently, somebody was driving a 2024 truck, and he misselected the gear and it cost of the company $5 million for the engine. Training will help to avoid these expenses. And that is why, when people come to the workshop, they’re saying, why is not this compulsory? Why don’t we use this instead of giving people tickets, instead of giving people demerit points? Let them [go back] and get the certificate show that they have done the course,” he proposed.
