Insurers Undergo Training On Fire Risk Assessment

A three day building fire risk assessment seminar has been organised by the Ghana Insurers Association for some of its members here in Accra. Others include some members of the Ghana Insurance Brokers Association and personnel from the Ghana national fire service in Accra on Tuesday.

The seminar is aimed at building the capacity of fire insurance underwriters, fire risk surveyor's assessors and insurance brokers with the skills and tools that is crucial for their professional duties.

Speaking at the opening of the 3 day seminar the president of the Ghana insurers association [GIA] Mr Ivan Avereyireh advised insurance Practitioners and brokers not to denigrate other companies when delivering services, but rather they should talk about the positive side of their competitors. He admonish insurance practitioners not to bad mouth other companies but rather communicate the good side of insurance to clients and the general public.

He said the only way to improve upon the reputation and image of insurance practitioners in Ghana is by equipping staffs and practitioners with the knowledge and skills to ensure that they approach their work with a high sense of professionalism and adhere to high critical standards in all our dealings and engagement with the insurance public.

The president said the actions, inactions, omissions and commissions of practitioners fuel negative public perceptions about the insurance industry and urged the participants to take the training more seriously in other to improve on their horizon.

Insurance commissioner Ms Lydia lariba Bawa commended the GIA for pursuing the agenda of building the professional capacity and urged the participant to take the training seriously to improve on their lots.

Ms Bawa said gone are the days when underwriting and rating of almost all the risks are presided by a risk survey and assessment report either from the broker or the insurers own professionally trained and highly competent risks surveyors. She urged all parties to take a proactive role in risk management and loss control as it would undoubtedly have a significant impact on insurance rates.

Giving examples of other jurisdiction which is the best practices dictate. According to Ms Bawa, insurance rates are determined on a review of hard information risk survey and assessment, usually on property values, types of construction and locations. This information are gathered and addressed through collaboration between brokers, underwriters, surveyors and property owners.

At the end of the course, participants are expected to be taken through occupational fire, health and safety, managing incidents to avoid accidents fire and fire safety inspection, fire safety systems fire risk assessment etc.