The NPF recently announced that effective February 1, 2025, it will commence a nationwide enforcement of the Third-Party Motor Insurance Policy.

The initiative, which aligns with the provisions of Section 68 of the Insurance Act 2003 has been welcomed by NAICOM and the NIA respectively, noting that it is a significant step towards strengthening compliance, ensuring road safety, and protecting motorists and third parties on Nigerian roads.

Speaking on the commencement of the enforcement, Chief Marketing Officer, AXA Mansard Insurance Plc, Adebola Surakat, said with defaulters facing fines of up to ₦250,000, the tendency of unscrupulous elements selling fake motor insurance policies to unsuspecting members of the public may be on the rise. 

She advises the insuring public to secure all their insurance policies, including motor insurance from only registered companies and their accredited agents. 

“As a brand committed to protecting our customers and the insuring public, we strongly advise motorists to be cautious and obtain their insurance policies only from licensed and trusted insurers. 

The rise in enforcement may lead to a surge in counterfeit policies, leaving motorists exposed to financial risks. 

As a leader in the industry, we recognise that raising the awareness at this time is the right thing to do because if we allow the public to run into the wrong hands, it will be a setback for the tremendous work that we have been doing to build trust in insurance.

When people buy the counterfeit insurance policy, they will not be able to present it to the police nor will they be able to claim with it if any risks manifest. The backlash will be on the insurance sector, not the fraudulent agents. So, we are taking it as a responsibility to create awareness”. 

Surakat explained that people can visit either the NAICOM or NIA website for a list of registered insurance companies in Nigeria. 

“We have even made it simpler at AXA Mansard, any type of motor insurance ranging from Third Party Motor Insurance to Comprehensive Motor Insurance can be purchased straight from our website. You can get your motor insurance certificate in less than five minutes on either our website, mobile app or any of our welcome centres nationwide”, she said. 

“We have continuously demonstrated reliability through prompt claims payment and seamless customer experience. So, we assure the public of an excellent customer experience throughout the life cycle of the policy.”

AXA Mansard reassures its customers that it remains steadfast in its commitment to providing affordable, accessible, and genuine motor insurance solutions to protect Nigerian motorists from unnecessary financial liabilities.

“We understand the challenges that come with compliance, so we urge all vehicle owners to prioritize authenticity when purchasing their Third-Party Motor Insurance and avoid the risks associated with fake policies,” Surakat added.

Accessible via the website, the new reporting platform, managed by the NPF National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC). This upgraded platform replaces the previous site, which is now obsolete.

The NPF assures users that the new platform incorporates enhanced security measures to safeguard user information and guarantee confidentiality. It’s also designed to be user-friendly, allowing for effortless and efficient reporting of cybercrime incidents. 

The platform also comes with improved tracking and response mechanisms to facilitate prompt and effective action on reported cases.

The Inspector-General of Police is urging all Nigerians to actively utilize this new platform for reporting any cybercrime activities. 

The Nigeria Police Force has noted that vigilance and prompt reporting greatly contribute to police efforts in tackling the cybercrime menace in Nigeria.

This launch comes shortly after President Bola Tinubu signed the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024, into law in February. 

The new Act amends certain sections of the 2015 Cybercrimes Act. It’s important to note that some stakeholders have put forward concerns that security agencies might misuse the Cybercrimes Act to suppress journalists and activists.