Lashley: Make cover a must

Minister of Transport and Works Michael Lashley is suggesting that insurance coverage for dwelling houses be made compulsory.

Speaking against the background of about 50 per cent of the homes destroyed by fire this year being uninsured, Lashley told the WEEKEND NATION that such a measure would not only protect citizens when such unfortunate circumstances befell them but would also ease the financial burden on taxpayers.

Making the comparison between vehicles and dwelling houses, Lashley, a former Minister of Housing, said insurance coverage was compulsory for vehicles, which were often a luxury, but was not mandatory for homes, which were a necessity.

The St Philip North MP, who is presently dealing with displaced residents as a result of a house fire in his constituency, called for a meeting of strategic partners, including the Ministry of Housing, Ministry of Family and Social Care, the General Insurance Association of Barbados (GIAB) and the Barbados Fire Service (BFS), “to put our heads together to seek a realistic solution to the situation which would benefit all Barbadians as well as the state”. (SDB Media)