Slow down in vehicle damage compensation claims

By Marlon Madden

Despite an apparent increase in complaints about bad roads in recent times, a senior official within the Ministry of Transport, Works and Water Resources is reporting a decline in the number of compensation claims for damage caused to vehicles on the island’s roads.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Transport and Works Mark Cummins was unable to give exact numbers, but he said when compared to 2018, the number of vehicle damage compensation claims had declined by about 75 per cent.

Barbadians have been complaining extensively about the state of the island’s roadways, with some expressing annoyance at having to carry out vehicle repairs due to damage sustained as a result of potholes.

“What I can say is that having arrived at the Ministry [of Transport and Works] on June 4, 2018, compared to 2018 and now, I would say there is probably a 75 per cent reduction in the number of complaints that come into the Ministry,” Cummins told reporters on Monday during a media conference at the Barbados Water Authority (BWA).

While he was unable to say what damage was mostly reported or which part of the island most of the damages were reported to have taken place, Cummins insisted that the current system of filing claims was working and that “we do honour those complaints once justified”.

That claims process involves writing a letter outlining the incident – including the date, time and location – and including the contact information of the claimant. Individuals are urged to take photographs from as many angles as possible, showing the damage to their vehicle, the road and the location. They are also required to submit a copy of their driver’s licence, insurance information and vehicle registration card or receipt issued by the Barbados Licensing Authority.

“If it is for example, the damage is to a tyre and you go to a tyre company and purchase the tyre, you also attach the invoice and that information is submitted to the ministry,” explained Cummins.

In addition to the invoice for any relevant repairs to the vehicle, individuals must include the name, address and contact information of the supplier or service provider and send the information to the email address mtw.legalunit@barbadosgov.bb

Cummins explained that once the relevant information is received, an investigation is then carried out by one of the investigation officers in the legal unit of the ministry to verify and confirm the information.

“He will go out and ensure that, first of all, the road surface [for] where the complaint was received, there is either an existing hole or it was recently patched. Under the Highways Act, the Chief Technical Officer is supposed to maintain the road pavement in a state that would not cause any damage to vehicles,” he said.

“Once all of that has been verified, we confirm with the Licensing Authority that the person who made the complaint was registered and their licensing was up to date. Once all of that is submitted and we send out the investigation officer, in most instances, we accept the liability and the payments are made.”

Cummins explained, however, that if the investigations revealed that the road was damaged by another utility company, then the Ministry of Transport “would respond to the person and advise them where they can continue with respect to their claim”. marlonmadden@barbadostoday.bb