Benefits for motorists inside new 'Simbula' Motor Third Party insurance campaign

According to Juliet Igonu, the Technical Manager-Non-life insurance at UIA, recent figures indicate that less than one million vehicles have Motor Third Party out of more than two million vehicles on the roads.

Juliet Igonu/Courtesy Pulse

Creating awareness

The Motor Third Party insurance cover policy is mandatory for all motorists but this has not affected compliance. Through this campaign, UIA is now pushing to create awareness amongst motorists across the country.

The UIA is championing a safer motorist eco-system by pushing for more uptake of the Motor Third Party policy where the insurer offers protection against damage to a third party inflicted by the policyholder.

“Unfortunately, most motorists still do not have these covers. We are hoping to work with the Ministry of Works and Transport effective June to create awareness," Igonu notes.

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Digital payments

The new arrangement is to ensure that all those operating Public Service Vehicles (PSV) are recorded in the system to ascertain the number of policyholders. Payments will be made electronically.

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Regional sensitisation

According to Igonu, there has been low to no sensitisation of motorists by insurance companies. Although the campaign is expensive, she mentions, UIA is taking it to a national level targeting Eastern, Northern and Western Uganda.

Interaction and engagement

UIA will hold talk shows and activations to engage motorists with officials that will share knowledge and information about Motor Third Party Insurance.

What Motor Third Party Insurance does

The policy does not provide any direct coverage to the insured. However, it indirectly covers the financial responsibility the policyholder would have dipped into their pocket to compensate accident victims.

It is one of the on-road policies that give motorists peace of mind knowing that they have sufficient financial protection against the damage they may cause to other people in the event of an accident.