Make CTPL optional for motorists with broad insurance policies – Herrera
MANILA, Philippines — Motorists who have bought comprehensive forms of insurance for their vehicles must no longer be required to pay the compulsory third-party liability (CTPL).
This is the view of Bagong Henerasyon Party-list Rep. Bernadette Herrera.
Herrera, in a statement on Tuesday, said the CTPL — which costs around P1,200 per year — is redundant because some car owners have insurance policies that cover bigger incidents than circumstances covered by CTPL.
Availing of a CTPL is required by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) before vehicles’ registrations are renewed.
Herrera’s House Bill (HB) No. 11275, filed on Monday, will make that optional.
Article continues after this advertisement“The intent of this requirement is to assure victims of vehicular accidents immediate financial assistance or indemnity, regardless of the financial capability of the liable operator or owner,” Herrera said in the bill’s explanatory note.
Article continues after this advertisement“However, the current implementation of CTPL insurance is outdated and insufficient,” she lamented.
“While the principle behind requiring CTPL insurance is commendable, its redundancy when paired with comprehensive insurance negates its utility,” the lawmaker said.
“Comprehensive insurance alone already fulfills the intent of ensuring accountability and financial security, while also streamlining the registration process and reducing the financial burden on motorists,” she pointed out.
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According to Herrera, the coverage of some CTPLs is only up to P200,000, which she said is “often inadequate to cover the actual costs of damage, medical expenses and other liabilities incurred in vehicular accidents.”
“Furthermore, CTPL claims are rarely filed, as the process is often cumbersome, riddled with bureaucratic red tape, and inaccessible to many victims,” she added.
If HB No. 11275 is signed into law, it will amend different sections of Republic Act No. 10607 or the Amended Insurance Code to include provisions that will make comprehensive insurance policies an additional option for motorists.
Aside from filing the bill, Herrera also delivered a privilege speech on Monday, saying that the insurance, while a small amount to some people, may be used for other purposes.
“For countless others, it is their lifeline,” Herrera told fellow House members.
“The tricycle driver in the province, the jeepney operator in the city, and the delivery truck owner trying to meet deadlines all rely on their vehicles to put food on the table, send their children to school, and provide for their families,” she said.
“Yet, every year, they are burdened with registration requirements that cost not only time but also hard-earned money,” she stressed.
“These are the mothers who drive their children to school, the fathers who work late into the night to make ends meet, the young workers who juggle multiple jobs, and the public utility vehicle drivers who endure long hours just to bring home enough for the day,” she added.