DOHA: The Traffic Department plans to expand its online network with insurance companies to allow more motorists to benefit from the service.
The department recently signed agreements with many companies providing vehicle insurance to set up the online link.
The new system allows motorists involved in traffic accidents to complete insurance formalities without the need to go the Department’s services centres. Insurance companies will receive online messages from the department with vehicle number, accident number and damage.
The department has opened traffic investigation offices in these companies to complete procedures related to car repairs following accidents. In an interview with police magazine, Al Shurtha Maak, Captain Abdullah Musaid, Head of Al Mamoura Traffic Section, said the online link aims to make procedures easier for car owners, “who can go directly to the insurance company for assessment of the damages with no need to go to the department for processing papers.”
The service, however, is restricted to accidents in which there is no dispute between the parties involved.
“This will have positive impact on reducing the number of visitors ( to the department) because patrolling police will be provided with hand-held computers for registering accidents on the spot and parties can be referred to the insurance company,” said Musaid.
Major Hammam Majli Almas, Head, Traffic Investigation Section in Medinat Khalifa, told the magazine that the service is currently available but people still insist on going to the department for registering accidents.
The online link is now limited to Qatar Insurance Company (QIC) and Beema Insurance Company and will be expanded to other companies.
“The service will be accepted by more people when they become aware of its advantages,” he said.
Fahad Mohammed Al Mana, Assistant Executive Chairman for Local Operation, QIC, said the service required the presence of staff from the department at insurance company offices from 7am to 2pm for assessment of damages and registration of data to submit the accident report and give permission for repairs.
The Peninsula
