The Consumer Council of Fiji has revealed that for the bus fire accident in Sigatoka which claimed 12 lives last year, the insurance cover for 60 passengers on a bus is only $40,000, which is a measly sum for the fallen victims.

With this in mind, the Council is embarking on a nationwide Campaign on "Insurance: Who Pays, Who Profits and Who loses?"

In 2006 and 2007, the Council conducted an in-depth review of the insurance industry in Fiji and from the research it was drawn to their attention that the Compulsory Third Party Policy Insurance is one key issue that deserves the attention of the policy makers and the consumers.

The Council says while the provision for third party insurance is compulsory for all motor vehicles, there are numerous exclusion provisions that do not protect third parties who are injured by motor vehicles.

It says they are compelled to act on disseminating vital information to vulnerable consumers who may have been injured or the family of those who may have died in motor vehicle accidents and are unable to make their financial claims from Insurance companies under the Third Party policy.

The Council says it intends to campaign on Third Party Insurance to draw the attention of policy makers, victims, and vehicle owners on an insurance cover that is compulsory but of no benefit to the state or the consumers. The Campaign will be launched next week.