Nigerian has been slated to host the maiden zonal assembly of the ECOWAS Brown Card Insurance coverage Scheme in Lagos.
The Nationwide Bureau of the ECOWAS Brown Card Insurance coverage Scheme, asserting the assembly stated it will maintain from April 13 to April 16, 2026, on the Grand Ballroom, Eko Resort & Suites, Lagos.
The Government Secretary of the bureau, Dr. Raphael Abiiba, in a press release to the media stated the ECOWAS Brown Card Scheme served as a regional motor insurance coverage mechanism guaranteeing compensation for third-party victims of highway site visitors accidents involving overseas motorists inside member international locations, thereby facilitating secure and seamless cross-border motion throughout the West African sub-region.
He additional stated the zonal assembly constituted a important part of the scheme’s regional governance and operational framework, offering a platform for engagement amongst Nationwide Bureaux, regulatory authorities, insurance coverage operators, and different key stakeholders inside the ECOWAS sub-region.
In line with him, the assembly will give attention to advancing the effectiveness, effectivity, and sustainability of the Scheme, notably within the areas of cross-border claims settlement, operational standardisation, and institutional collaboration.
In line with the bureau, the theme of the assembly, “The Digital Divide: Managing Change within the Brown Card Operational Technique for Efficient Cross-Border Claims Settlement,” displays the rising crucial for digital integration and harmonisation of processes throughout member states.
He listed key areas of deliberation on the assembly as strengthening cross-border claims administration frameworks, enhancing knowledge integrity, transparency, and real-time processing, addressing operational and technological disparities amongst member states in addition to selling regulatory alignment and institutional coordination.
He stated individuals on the assembly would come with a broad spectrum of stakeholders throughout the ECOWAS sub-region, comprising trade leaders, regulatory authorities, nationwide bureaux, and different key stakeholders.
He stated the Nigerian Nationwide Bureau was dedicated to supporting initiatives that strengthen regional integration, improve operational effectivity, and uphold the integrity of the ECOWAS Brown Card Scheme.
He added that the ECOWAS Brown Card Scheme supplied motorcar third-party legal responsibility insurance coverage protection throughout member states, making certain immediate and equitable compensation for victims of cross-border highway site visitors accidents.
In Nigeria, the ECOWAS Brown Card is robotically included with motor insurance coverage insurance policies at no extra price and might be obtained from licensed insurers.
With the 200 p.c improve in premium payable on Motor Third Occasion Insurance coverage coverage by then insurance coverage trade regulator the Nationwide Insurance coverage Fee (NAICOM), in 2023, one of many advantages hooked up to the rise is that Nigerian motorists who’ve paid the suitable premiums for motor insurance coverage will get pleasure from the advantage of ECOWAS Brown Card within the occasion of an accident when travelling inside the West African sub-region.
As an illustration, a registered Nigerian automobile with third-party motor insurance coverage is roofed when in and round any of the West African international locations, and motorists from different West African international locations into Nigeria are additionally lined in keeping with the Brown Card scheme.
The Brown Card gives motorists full assure for a immediate, truthful and fast compensation for any accident they might trigger exterior their routine residence nation.
The cardholder is handled precisely as if the essential insurance coverage coverage was underwritten with an organization situated within the nation visited or by means of which it transits.
For the reason that authorities authorities recognise the Brown Card, the motorist is exempted from every other formality regarding the assure towards the dangers of civil legal responsibility.
The April assembly scheduled by the bureau is to smoothen the operations of the scheme throughout the subregion and guarantee a seamless functioning.
Ebere Nwoji
Times Nigeria