A motor insurance policy provides cover for private cars or commercial vehicles including goods carrying or passenger-carrying vehicles for hire/reward.

Any motor vehicle operating on the road in Jamaica is legally required to have insurance cover.

The policy protects you against your legal liability to third parties that is incurred during the policy period, and depending on the coverage taken out, loss and/or damage to the vehicle insured may be covered.

Reasons to insure your car  :

• It is required by law.
• As the insured you have the security of knowing that you are protected  when involved in an accident.
• Financial institutions require insurance covering loss and damage to the vehicle in order to secure a loan.

Types of Cover Available For Private Motor Vehicles:

1. Comprehensive
2. Third Party Fire and Theft
3. Third Party Liability (only).
4. Act Liability (this provides the minimum coverage required by the Law).  JIIC does NOT offer this policy option.

JIIC offers 2 types of Comprehensive Motor Insurance policies:

1. "Premier Motor" Policy
2. Standard 'Value' Policy

JIIC's "Premier Motor" Policy covers:

• Loss or damage to the motor vehicle due to:
• Accidental collision or overturning
• Fire, external explosion or lightning
• Theft or Burglary
• Malicious Act
• An accident whilst the vehicle is being transported
• Flood, hurricane, volcanic eruption, earthquake or other convulsin of nature (if such cover is contracted)
• Liability to third parties – property and personal injury subject to limits in   the policy.

Special Premier Features:

o    Easy to read and understand.

o    Replacement Car – if your car is 1 year old or less and sustains over 60% damage, we will replace it with a new vehicle of the same year, make and model.

o    Protected No Claim Bonus – After being insured with JIIC for 5 years and earning maximum no claim, you may have up to 3 accidents and your "no claim" discount is not affected (conditions apply).

o    Free motor valuation every 2 years.

o    Capped Excesses* – whereas other insurers have a standard excess which is a percentage of the sum insured we have put maximum limits on your excess:  
For vehicles valued:    Below $2million – Max. $25,000             
                                    Above $2million – Max. $75,000

o    Loss of use benefit  - in event of an insured loss we'll provide a hired car for up to 7 days. (Attracts an additional premium & conditions apply)

o   Attractive limits of liability – you may be liable for other people injured in an accident, or damage to third party vehicle(s) or other property. JIIC allows you to choose  different limits to protect yourself.

o  Road Rescue REACT - free roadside assistance on all major roadways island wide.


JIIC's Value Policy

This policy offers comprehensive cover similar to the Premier Motor policy described above except for the following:

•    No capped Excess
•    No replacement of vehicles less than one year old
•    No Roadside assistance
•    The third party limits of liability are not as high
•    There is no loss of use benefit.

Other types of Private Motor Coverage offered by JIIC:

Third Party Fire & Theft

This provides cover in respect of loss or damage to your vehicle caused by fire or theft. You are also covered in respect of your legal liability for damage to property, which belongs to others, and injuries caused to other persons (your third party liability). This cover is subject to the limits stated in the policy.

Third Party Only

You are covered in respect of your legal liability for damage to property, which belongs to others, and injuries caused to other persons. It does not cover damage to your vehicle. This cover is subject to the limits stated in the policy.


GENERAL MOTOR POLICY TERMS / FEATURES

Private Motor Vehicle

Private motor vehicles are typically cars or SUVs that are used for 'Social, Domestic and Pleasure' purposes only, or may include the insured's private business use.

Commercial Motor Vehicles

These are vehicles that are used for various types of commercial uses.  They are not used for social, domestic and pleasure purposes only. Any type of vehicle that is used for the carriage of goods, whether 'own goods' also termed private commercial, or general cartage – carrying goods for others is considered a commercial vehicle.  Examples of these vehicles are not limited to only pick ups and motor trucks.  Taxies and Buses are other categories of commercial vehicle, and there are 'special type' commercial vehicles such as mobile cranes (including wreckers), ambulances, bulldozers and many others.

 
No Claim Bonus (NCD)

For each year of claim-free driving, the company gives you a discount off your premium. For comprehensive policies your No Claim Discount (NCD) ranges from 20%, for the first claim-free year, up to 60% (Private Motor) or 50% (Commercial Motor) for claim-free years in excess of 5 years.
Even if you are not at fault, once you have made a claim your NCD is likely to be affected.

Excess

Excess represents a portion of any one claim that is borne by the insured in the event of an accidental collision. This is usually a fixed percentage based on the value of the insured's vehicle.

WHAT TO DO IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT

  Premier policyholders should call Road Rescue React immediately.

  Request the documentation for the other party's vehicle.
  This includes:
•    Insurance Certificate
•    Registration Documents
•    Driver's License
•    Certificate of Fitness.
        
  Please make a note if any of the documents have expired.

Gather all the information that you can about the other party involved  (this will help us to settle your claim more efficiently).

Motor Claim Reminders

 In order that claims may be dealt with in a prompt and satisfactory manner, it is necessary that you notify us immediately after an accident  has occurred.

DO NOT ADMIT  LIABILITY, OFFER OR PROMISE PAYMENT OR ALLOW ANY PERSON TO DO SO ON YOUR BEHALF, WITHOUT JIIC's WRITTEN CONSENT.

A report must be made to the police within twenty-four (24) hours. Try to obtain the names and/or numbers of the investigating police officer(s).

If the police are not available at the scene of the accident, take the measurements and have them agreed by the other party involved, or a competent witness. Take photos if possible.

In case the accident necessitates repairs to your vehicle it should be removed to a garage or arrangements made for its protection until you can contact us.

Since it is your responsibility to prove the claim, you are also required to  provide an estimate of repairs and costs, including bills for medical expenses as well as any other information we may require.

JIIC will appoint an assessor to inspect the damaged vehicle. The assessor will also check the repair estimate and make any necessary adjustments such as unjustifiable items or parts and estimate the amount of time that the vehicle will take to be repaired. (We recommend that you do not effect repairs to the vehicle until the accessor has seen it)

On completion of repairs an assessor may check the final repair bill.

Your repairer will ask you to sign a satisfaction note; if you are unhappy with the repairs do not sign the note.

             You may find it useful to review our FAQs section.