Insurance companies had to make payments on claims for RD$707 million last year for the many traffic accidents in the DR. The accidents are attributed to the lack of drivers’ and pedestrians’ education, lack of signposts, and the increase in the number of vehicles, according to a report in El Caribe newspaper. The insurance companies lose money on their car insurance coverage. Marcos Villamán, vice president of the Dominican Chamber of Insurance Companies (Cadoar) said that insurance companies lost RD$56 million making payments on insurance claims last year. Police stats show there were 8,504 accidents during the first six months of 1999. June was the month in which most accidents occurred – 1,843 accidents. The month with the least accidents so far this year was April with 225.
