Fake insurance covers continue to pose a challenge in the transport industry.
Deputy Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja said this places innocent citizens at risk of non-compensation, even for very deserving cases, he said.
Kanja said the National Police Insurance Fraud Investigations Unit has helped with the surveillance of insurance companies and brokers.
“Without such oversight, victims’ compensation would be abused to the benefit of fraudsters, with huge financial losses to the insurance companies.”
He said the public must be protected from unscrupulous dealers and insurers need protection from fraudsters who may want to take advantage of the ready cash paid as compensation, through falsified claims.
“Collaboration between police and the insurance industry in fighting insurance fraud is, therefore, very necessary,” he told the meeting.
He said competitors in the motor insurance industry are currently in a state of cut-throat competition where some are offering genuinely attractive packages, while others offer rather questionable deals.
He made the remarks Monday during a meeting of traffic officers organized by Directline Assurance in Nairobi.
Directline officials said they have fraudsters selling fake insurance covers to the public, which is an emerging threat, especially to the digital covers in the industry placing innocent Kenyans at risk.
“To this end, we urge the public to ensure that they confirm that the insurance certificates displayed on their vehicles are genuine by sending a text message with your vehicle’s registration number to 23454.”
Pedestrians, the company said, have also greatly contributed to accidents by crossing the road at undesignated places.
Directline has collaborated with the NPS for the last 17 years to curb and ensure only legitimate claims and claimants are compensated.
Meanwhile, Kanja said a new system is being developed to help police manage accident scenes in the country.
He revealed efforts are underway to develop a Crush Data System at the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), with which responding officers will be able to enter and transmit accident data through police channels in real-time.
“More so, the National Police Service is working with JICA on Strengthening of Safe System Approach to Road Traffic Accidents,” he said.
The system, he said, will ultimately make the management of accidents simple, detailed, easily analyzed, securely stored, and seamlessly disseminated.
Kanja said such initiatives give the police an opportunity to render unmatched policing services to all.
Management of accident scenes by various actors has been an issue of concern to many as it leads to more deaths and damages.
He said motor vehicle insurance is a major service meant to protect operators from liability incurred by the use of their motor vehicles.
Kanja said over the years, the government has invested a lot in improving the management of traffic operations.
For example, the installation of the IC3 system was a game changer inefficient traffic control and investigation, especially in Nairobi and Mombasa cities.
