The House Committee on Transportation on Monday urged local insurers to develop affordable e-microinsurance products for transportation network companies (TNCs) and transportation network vehicle service (TNVS) units.
Assistant Minority Leader Neil Abayon of Aangat Tayo party-list said the insurance industry, including the microinsurance sector, should create affordable e-microinsurance products the TNCs and TNVS operators can jointly avail of to provide insurance cover for their customers and hired drivers.
“These [insurance products are very important] in case of accidents and other insurable situations,” Abayon said.
According to him, e-microinsurance is the solution that will address the concerns raised by the TNVS regarding limited shared liability.
“E-microinsurance acquired by TNCs and TNVS to insure passengers can be designed to be specific to each booking, factor in road risks during bad weather and calibrated for risks during late-night trips and travel through high-risk areas or localities,” he added.
The lawmaker also said car theft and robbery are among the insurable situations the e-microinsurance should cover.
Earlier, TNCs Uber and Grab Philippines told the House of Representatives a total 118,398 cars ply the roads of Metro Manila.
Meanwhile, Abayon also urged Uber, Grab and other TNCs to upgrade their booking apps with emergency silent alarms so they can be instantaneously notified if or when their passengers and TNVS drivers are in danger.
“[With these alarms, they can be notified if there is] imminent or present threat from robbers, carnappers, molesters or rapists. The TNCs should, of course, devise some ways by which they can alert the police of TNVS units in distress,” he said.
Abayon said emergency silent alarms could also be used for medical emergencies.
“The emergency alarms should also be designed for medical emergencies, such as heart attacks, stroke, sudden childbirth, that could befall or affect their TNVS drivers and passengers,” he said.