Business
‘Insurers Should Insist On Premium For Cover’
A former President, Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA), Mr Olusola Oladipo-Ajayi, on Tuesday, urged insurance operators to expose those undermining the enforcement of ‘No Premium No Cover’ rule.
Oladipo-Ajayi told newsmen in Lagos that it was the only way to ensure sanity in the industry.
According to him, NIA decided to support the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) on the enforcement because it is an effort to rescue the industry.
“No Premium No Cover” is for the benefit of the insurance industry. Those cutting corners are contradicting it and should be exposed. “The industry has been drawn backward by the non-payment of premiums. “For instance, in 2012, the Federal Government paid only 49 per cent premium for its workers,” former president said.
“When a risk occurs where does the industry get money to pay claims? These are the issues and it is not helping anybody,” he said.
Oladipo-Ajayi explained that almost all the operators had outstanding premium, most of which were not identifiable.
According to him, insurance premium is such that when the year ends it becomes difficult to collect as most policy holders feel there is no use of paying again.
He said that whenever the unexpected occurred, those who failed to reguarise premiums would try to clear the arears and put up claims.
Oladipo-Ajayi reiterated that the insurance was not ‘Father Christmas’ as operators must abide by the contractual agreement with the policy holders.
He said that payment of claim to a policy holder was always from an insurance pool where all the premiums paid resided.
The former NIA president said that insurance was always there to correct any damage to the policy holder and urged the policy holder to pay his premium promptly.
According to him, it is the only thing needed for the policy holder to enjoy such privileges when a loss is suffered.