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Insurers Association of Zambia (IAZ)
The Insurers Association of Zambia (IAZ) says all motorists effective 1st January 2015 will be expected to display proof of insurance on their windscreens in compliance with Statutory Instrument No. 33 the Road Traffic (Certificates of Security and Insurance) Display Regulations, 2015 which reinforces the provision of part 7 section 86 (1) of the Road Traffic Act.
The SI was launched by the then Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communications Yamfwa Mukanga on 2nd July 2015.
IAZ President Shipango Muteto says the SI is expected to assist in reducing the number of uninsured vehicles on the Zambian roads, which according to IAZ where in excess of 60%.
Mr. Muteto says the insurance industry is ready to ensure that the provisions for the SI are implemented smoothly citing that there will be only two authorized insurance discs in circulation effective 1st January 2016 so as to ensure ease of enforcement by law enforcers.
He points out that all the 21 General Insurance companies will only be issuing one of the two discs adding that they will be expected to issue the two uniform discs so that the law can be enforced easily.
Mr. Muteto says the new SI will bring benefits which include ensuring that all the vehicles on the road have at least the basic minimum insurance cover called RTA, which is good for aggrieved parties in the event of an accident.
He adds that the Victims of road traffic accidents also have a guaranteed recourse for financial compensation.
He says the new provision will ensure that victims of accidents are guaranteed of financial compensation up to the prescribed limits, thereby saving them time and costs when pursing compensation from an individual, which may or may not yield any positive results.
Mr. Muteto has further advised Members of the public to ensure that they get the insurance disc from their insurer, through their brokers, agents or directly from the insurance company.