AMMAN - Over the past five days, Jordanians struggled to obtain third-party insurance as some companies refused to provide citizens with such risk coverage.
Insurance agents interviewed by The Jordan Times said the third-party insurance is not "profitable" anymore.
Insurance agent Nasir Al Deen labelled third-party insurance premium as "modest", stressing that such policies do not cover companies' expenses.
"The insurance premium is JD92.150 but later you will face a claim which could cost you JD300," he told The Jordan Times at his company's office at the Marka Licensing Department.
Abdullah Saoud agreed with him, noting that most claims come from holders of third-party insurance policies.
"Our company used to provide 50 third-party policies a day," he said.
Although the insurance premium was increased from JD64.050 to JD92.150 in March 2010, "the amount is not sufficient and we cannot cover the expenses of the claims", Saoud said.
He indicated that most firms resorted to different procedures to discourage people to obtain the third-party insurance.
"Some companies asked for a document that shows a clean traffic record or demanded to check the car," he said.
He added that several meetings between representatives from the Insurance Commission of Jordan and the companies to resolve the issue failed to reach any solution.
"We demanded that either companies be responsible for the pricing, or that the Insurance Commission specifies a satisfactory price, which should not be less than JD120," he indicated.
Many people complained of the companies' attitude, describing insurance agencies as "greedy".
Kamal Khader was told by most companies that they would not provide third-insurance policies anymore and, instead, tried to convince him to obtain comprehensive insurance.
"I can't afford to get comprehensive insurance," he said. "It costs up to JD250. I don't know how we will license our cars."
Abu Nihad told The Jordan Times that he obtained insurance from a company for more than 10 years, but now that company has refused to provide him with the insurance policy.
The chaotic situation between the people and the insurance firms is likely to continue as the companies demand "a satisfactory premium", which may not be affordable to all segments of society.
© Jordan Times 2011
