#BTColumn – Here’s an alternative to raising insurance rates

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the author(s) do not represent the official position of Barbados TODAY.

By Leon Blades

On at least three occasions I have heard the president of the General Insurance Association of Barbados express concern that there has been an increase in collisions in Barbados. I listened attentively to hear what recommendations have been advanced to respond to this. I have not heard of any proposals being offered. Perhaps, I have missed that announcement.

Some alternatives could be undertaken to deal with this situation. Policyholders like me wonder what steps can be taken to avoid or reduce the incidences of collisions. What does the insurance industry propose?

In 2022, there were nine fatal collisions; in 2023 the number was almost double. In my book, Avoiding Collisions in Barbados which was part sponsored by the GIAB, I mentioned that from 2018 to 2021, inattentiveness or distracted driving was the main cause of all collisions. I must also recognise the contribution of Co-operators General Insurance for not only part-sponsoring the book but also sponsoring a 15-minute programme on Voice of Barbados. This was aimed at sensitising motorists to be safer on the roads. Targeted remedial training is more applicable than public announcements.

We the public are cognisant that there have been increases in the number of vehicles using our roads since 2018 and that there will be more collisions. So, please try another method other than raising the premiums as in the past.

Other training initiatives could be implemented by the insurance industry, collectively:

Supplement the efforts of the driving instructors like mandatory retraining as a measure for those drivers involved in multiple collisions before renewing policies;

Support a recommendation for supervised training for young drivers for a period of three or four months. They can be supervised by a competent licensed family member or guardian to ensure their wards drive defensively;

Those businesses with fleets of vehicles could conduct some refresher training for their drivers. This could be done by not allowing a driver to move from one vehicle to another before analysing their involvement in the collision.

These actions can be undertaken without affecting the bottom line of the insurance companies. I can also suggest that owners of fleets of vehicles institute training for their drivers. This training is an investment not an expense.

Most drivers perceive that they are professional and would grade themselves highly, despite the increased collisions. Professionals take a sabbatical or retraining to enhance their competency level is deemed vital. If an owner has not been involved in a collision for 10 or 15 years, is it right for an individual premium to be increased although not involved in collisions? Such an owner should be rewarded for good driving practice rather than painted with the same brush as others causing the problem and have their premiums increased.

Target those at-risk drivers to be retrained as the first step. Mahatma Gandhi said: “Power based on love is a thousand times more effective and permanent than the one derived through fear of punishment.”

Collectively, the insurance companies have the stick to increase rates but to offer a carrot of reeducating the offending driver will be an asset.

The increase in premiums time after time seems not to work, so let us try the alternative. Quite recently, I was doing some retraining, and it appears that some seemingly competent drivers have limited knowledge of road laws, and how best to drive and be safe on our roads. The safe drivers should not have to be punished like the unsafe. Peter should not have to pay for Paul.

The writer Aiden Tozer opines: “The driver on the highway is not safe when he reads the signs but when he obeys them.” I recommend that to each of us.

Leon Blades, author of ‘Avoiding Collisions in Barbados’ and a driving instructor, is a retired assistant commissioner of police.