DILIMAN, Quezon City — The Land Transportation Office (LTO) wants an increase in vehicle liability insurance following the deaths of four persons and a huge payout from the company that owned the truck involved in the fatal accident along Katipunan Avenue last December 5, 2024.

LTO chief Vigor Mendoza II explained that his call for the increase in the insurance for vehicular accidents was prompted by requests from transport groups for the LTO and the Insurance Commission (IC) to act and ensure the safety and well-being of motorists and victims.

The truck company involved in the Katipunan vehicle mishap last month turned over ₱200,000 to the LTO, explaining that it is also allocating a budget and processing more insurance claims to fund aid for victims of the accident.

Both the LTO and IC are currently discussing to address concerns, particularly on how to increase insurance benefits.

“This is what we’re looking at right now: kung paano ito magagawa (how this will be done) without necessarily pushing up the premium (higher) than the reach of our motorists,” Mendoza pointed out.
The LTO chief likewise disclosed that they are pushing to expedite the release of benefits under motor vehicle insurance to deliver aid to victims of road crash incidents as quickly as possible.

“It’s a big help when there’s already assistance coming from the insurance provider . . . If help will arrive immediately, that’s a big thing. You wouldn’t have to think about which pocket you’ll be pulling funds from,” he stressed.

“So, we’re looking into that possibility, that there’d be a hotline that the public could access in case of an accident for immediate relief, that help would arrive for the insured and much more could be given to the victims,” he added.

While unable to give an exact timeline, Mendoza concluded that the proposal to increase the insurance accident liability has been tagged as 'top priority' for both the LTO and IC and a decision regarding the proposal may soon be expected within the next few weeks.