Motor Insurance Industry and Its Role in Road Safety in Ethiopia

Insurance is about more than just compensating for loss as it is a highly effective mechanism for assessing, managing and reducing risk. By helping customers face up to and manage risk effectively, insurance is an invaluable part of modern society and the motoring experience. Motor insurance is a contract between the insured and the insurance company that protects against financial loss. Motor insurance is a difficult class of business to manage and the annual report from the insurance companies shows the Ethiopian motor insurance industry, that is relatively underdeveloped in comparison to that of other African countries, is highly suffering from the higher motor claims as a result of increment in cost of materials and payment for the victims. But, with the appropriate strategies and operations in place, the rewards are there. Thus, the study attempted to identify how the motor insurance industry participates in road safety management activities and factors influencing its involvement in road safety. Both primary and secondary data sources were consulted whereas questionnaire and interview were used as a method of data collection from the target respondents of 8 insurance companies based on purposive sampling. Descriptive method of data analysis using SPSS v.20 was employed and presented in the form of tables, charts, percentages and frequencies. As a result, the research output helps in particular the industry and road safety management program and the public in general. It is revealed that legislation, enforcement, promotion, financing and research were identified as the way motor insurance industry (MII) involves in road safety management (RSM). Promotion and financing role were not actively going as it is expected to be. Among others, increment in traffic accidents that resulted in increment in claims was identified as the driving factor to involve in road safety management; whereas exclusion from road safety advocacy committee and lack of enthusiasm were the factors hindering active participation in road safety. In general, Motor Insurance Industry’s role in road safety should be recognized as it is very important in reducing road traffic accident by supporting road safety management. Consequently, National Road Safety Advocacy Committee (NRSAC) should include Motor Insurance Industry and the industry should promote as well as allocate funds and make known to all to benefit itself and the public.