News

Consumer watchdog criticizes third party insurance mechanism

December 8, 2016 5:16 pm

The Consumer Council of Fiji in the last eight years has received 35 compulsory third party insurance cases.

Consumer Council of Fiji Chief Executive Premila Kumar has criticised the current system, saying it’s not serving its purpose.

She says third party insurance was introduced to protect road users however when accidents occur, pay out becomes an issue.

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“There is an urgent need for appropriate reform so that timely and adequate compensations are made to the victims. There should be a separate body for this.”

Kumar says victims have been coming to the Council for assistance and in some instances they’ve managed to secure compensation payouts but there are still a number of unsolved cases.

Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum says the government is planning to set up a new tribunal for compensation cases.