Operators in the insurance industry have said that Nigerians can verify the status of their motor insurance through the Nigerian Insurance Industry Database.
The Punch reported that the Nigerian Insurers Association and the National Insurance Commission together launched the NIID in an effort to combat false certifications in the country back in the day.
Describing the advantages of the NIID, the Director-General of the NIA, Mrs. Yetunde Ilori, remarked that insurance provides its holders peace of mind.
According to the Deputy General Manager of Corporate Communications and Investor Relations at Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc, Segun Bankole, the policyholders’ verification of the status of their motor insurance is done to ensure the policy’s originality and to enable payment of claims.
He claimed: “Knowing the status of your insurance policy is necessary because it gives the holder peace of mind that when there is a claim he will be paid.”
He said that having a forged insurance coverage could result in embarrassment from law enforcement agents.
Additionally, he said, it was against the law for drivers to operate a vehicle without at least third-party insurance because doing so may result in jail time.
According to NIA, by visiting www.askniid.org or sending an SMS to the USSD code *565*11# on any mobile phone with or without Internet access, policyholders whose car insurance details had been uploaded to the NIID can check the status of their motor insurance policy.
