When driving in the Dominican Republic you may practically be on your own. Despite insurance being obligatory, the Dominican Chamber of Insurance Companies (Cadoar) says only 34% of vehicles in circulation are insured. Of 3,215,773 units registered with the Tax Department, only 1,109,400 are insured, says Cadoar. As a result, according to Caodar, public hospitals have to pick up the bill for treating injured accident victims, or the car owner is fully responsible for the medical procedures and car repairs.
Cadoar says that 69.7% of the vehicles in circulation have insurance, and 30.3% have full insurance, but that only 570,852 motorcyclists have insurance. Motorcyclists are responsible for most traffic accidents in the Dominican Republic. Cadoar wants Law 241 on Ground Transport to be modified to enforce vehicle or motorcycle confiscation for people driving without insurance.
Cadoar says last year they received 79,707 claims and had losses of RD$400 million.
Cadoar is calling for changes to Law 146-02, pointing out that it is a requirement of the DR-CAFTA.
The breakdown of registered motor vehicles is:
Motorcycles: 52.2%, or 1,678,979
Cars: 22.3%, 717,087
Buses: 81,660
SUVs: 312,170
Trucks and pickups: 372,238
Dumpers: 19,165
Heavy machinery: 19,978
Others: 14,496
The statistics indicate that of 3.2 million vehicles, 1.6 million motorcycles are on the roads in the National District, 12.7% in the province of Santo Domingo, 7.7% in La Vega and 60.5% in other provinces.
Of the cars, 41.4% are in the National District, 22.2% in Santo Domingo, 10.8% in Santiago and 25.6% in remaining provinces.
Of the buses, 36.2% circulate in the National District, 24.2% in Santo Domingo, 7.8% in Santiago and 31.8% in the rest of the country.
Of the SUVs, 33.5% is registered in the National District, 18.6% in Santo Domingo, 13.1% in Santiago and 34.8% in the rest of the country.