Handphone of accident can help

8 December 2005

Editor
New Paper

I refer to the letter, "How do we deal with drivers who lie?" by Mr Goh Ann Long (The New Paper, 7 December).

Mr Goh wanted to know how insurers deal with drivers who lie in their accident reports.

As NTUC Income insures about 40 per cent of all motor vehicles in Singapore, I wish to share our experience in dealing with such cases.

Each month, we handle about 2 000 cases of motor accident claims. About 10 per cent of these accidents are disputed by the parties, who give conflicting versions of the accident.

Our liability assessment officer interviews the parties, conducts a site visit if neccessary, and examines the photographs of the
damaged of the vehicle.

The officer is usually able to come to a decision on the appropriate apportionment of the liability. We try to be fair in our assessment and do not wish to favour any side.

If any of the parties disagrees with our assessment, they can ask for an independent expert to review the case or take the case to court.

The disputes can be minimised if both parties to the accident agree to sign the Singapore Accident Statement (SAS) on the spot.

We have recently implemented the use of MMS technology. Motorists are encouraged to use their handphones to take photos of the damage and send them to us by MMS at 9696 3399 or to photo@income.com.sg by e-mail.

The MMS project started two weeks ago.

We hope to solve 50 per cent of the disputed cases using this new approach. Claimants can call our 24-hour hotline at 6788 6616.

Tan Kin Lian
Chief Executive Officer
NTUC Income