Reprieve for motorists as insurers settle curfew hours claims

Accident scene in a file photo (PHOTO:Standard)

Insurance companies will settle claims for accidents that happen during curfew hours, negating an earlier advisory that driving during the curfew hours of between 8 PM and 4 AM could render one’s insurance invalid.

The Association of Kenya Insurers (Aki), the lobby for local insurance companies dismissed a statement made by an insurance agents’ lobby that warned motorists from driving past curfew hours as insurers would not settle claims for accidents that take place within these hours.

AKI however noted that driving past curfew hours does not warrant an insurance firm to dismiss a claim unless there were other circumstances leading to an accident.

The Association of Kenya Professional Insurance agents (AKPIA) had in a statement earlier this week warned motorists’ claim for accidents occurring between 8 PM and 4 AM risked having their insurance claims declared null.

“Insurance companies, agencies and brokers, would like to inform you that driving past curfew hours without essential services authorisation or valid emergency reasons could render your motor insurance claim invalid,” said the lobby in the statement on its social media handles, which drew anger from Kenyans who questioned the rationale of insurers taking their money only to change the terms afterwards.

AKI however said motorists who have incidents while driving during curfew hours should be treated as normal incidents, adding that the offence of being outside during this times should be dealt with by law enforcement agencies.

“Any motor insurance claim that arises during curfew hours cannot be dismissed on the basis of the time of the accident. If you violate curfew hours, then the Police will charge you with that violation,” said AKI.

“However, should there be other circumstances that are excluded from the motor insurance policy the claim can be denied on those circumstances. We advise customers whose claims were denied on the basis of getting an accident during curfew hours to visit their insurer for review.”