AN INSURANCE EXECUTIVE is deeply concerned about the high number of drivers in Barbados without valid licences, and he wants tougher police action
to arrest the trend.

Peter Harris, general manager of Consumers Guaranteed Insurance, told the WEEKEND NATION yesterday that innocent people involved in collisions with drivers who did not hold a valid driver's licence were being made to suffer because insurance companies would not honour the claim if the driver was in the wrong.

While he could not speak for other insurers, he said his company alone had paid out over $1 million in claims in the last 12 months to customers who were unable to recover money from other insurance companies because the other party's licence had expired.

"Most insurance contracts require persons to have a valid driver's licence at the time of the accident. If the driver does not have a valid licence, the insurance does not respond. It is tantamount to not having insurance," he said.

Harris pointed out that his company had come across several such cases and it's clients were usually unable to recover any monies.

"If the insurance company does not pay our client, then the client has to go after the individual. If it is someone with serious injuries, then
how much can our client recover?" he asked.

However, he stressed that he was in no way blaming the other insurance companies for maintaining this position because it was clearly stated in the contract.

Harris called on the police to be more vigilant and to prosecute such persons.

He also said legislation needed to be implemented which stated that once a person had not been disqualified from driving, then the insurance company had to respond to the claim.

When contacted, Acting Superintendent Albert Freeman said police had increased checks for those driving without a licence, insurance and road tax.

He said the police worked in collaboration with the Licensing Authority and several people had been placed before the courts for these infractions. (MB)