Rwanda National Police (RNP) says it is working with insurance companies on a proposal to make motorcycle insurance premiums depend on individual riders’ behaviour. The risk-based model would reward responsible riders and penalise repeat traffic offenders. The road traffic bill also seeks to introduce a point-based penalty system. ALSO READ: Cabinet approves bill proposing point deduction for reckless driving Speaking to The New Times, Denise Rwakayija, the Managing Director of the Rwanda Insurers Association (ASSAR), said that a similar model has already been proposed as part of the insurance innovation roadmap started two years ago. She noted that there is a significant difference between someone who has had numerous accidents and fines and someone who simply drives their car to work, parks it for the day, and drives home without encountering much risk. “If the insurers can access such behavioural data, it could allow them to offer lower premiums to those who demonstrate safe and responsible driving habits, and that is the model used in some developed countries.” Inspector General of Rwanda National Police, CG Felix Namuhoranye, says that Police, in its talks with insurance companies, informed them that there are two kinds of riders: those who make frequent mistakes and those who ride responsibly. “A person with a clean record, say 13 or 15 points out of 15, should not be treated the same as someone with zero,” he said. ALSO READ: Law Reform Commission to complete review of road traffic bill by August 18 Namuhoranye added that riders who lose all their points under the new system would have their licenses suspended for the rest of the year. The initiative began with the digitalisation of insurance certificate services and now includes plans to review the conduct of vehicle drivers, including motorcyclists. Rwakayija noted that the idea is to assess driver behaviour and use that data to help determine insurance premiums. The initiative is still under review to determine how it will be implemented, she said. ALSO READ: Traffic offenders to lose driver's licenses She explained that once the relevant data is captured, it can reveal not only the behaviour of the driver but also the history of the vehicle, such as the number of accidents and fines it has been involved in. What do riders have to say about the plan? Motorcycle riders welcomed the idea in principle but raised concerns about its implementation and fairness. Simon Kalinda, a motorcycle rider based in Gasabo District, said the proposal could be a welcome opportunity to ease the burden of high insurance costs. The system makes sense, as it would lower premiums for those of us who follow the rules and are rarely involved in accidents, he said. It has always felt unfair to pay the same insurance fees as those who are constantly at risk due to frequent accidents and fines. However, Kalinda expressed concern about the accuracy of fine assessments, noting that riders are sometimes penalised unfairly. What worries me now is that we sometimes receive fines we don’t deserve, he said, urging authorities to address issues such as misidentification by traffic cameras. There are cases where motorcyclists hide their number plates, and the cameras end up confusing their details with ours, we become the victims. Eric Niyonsenga, a taxi-moto operator from Gasabo District, said the proposed system could motivate riders to improve their conduct on the road. If implemented fairly, this system can really encourage us as taxi-moto operators to drive more responsibly, knowing that good behaviour will lead to lower insurance costs, he said. Some riders were discouraged and wanted to quit, while others took risks by working without insurance. With this system, they may be more willing to stay and operate legally, he added. Jean Bosco Mugenzi, a rider in Nyarugenge District, criticised the proposed system as a disguised way to avoid reducing motorcycle insurance fees. He argued that ongoing issues like unfair traffic fines and poor infrastructure make the plan difficult to implement fairly. “The idea is good in theory, but in practice it’s more complicated. You can lose points because of another rider’s misconduct, like when someone hides their number plate and the camera misidentifies you,” he said. He pointed out the shortage of proper parking stations, which often forces riders to travel longer distances to reach designated drop-off points. “Sometimes, you stop briefly near someone’s house by the roadside and end up fined, even though the passenger refuses to take a longer trip just to reach a parking area and return,” he said. “When you try to contest a fine, they ask for proof, but we can’t always provide it. Most of the time, we lose,” he added. The recent data The New Times obtained from Radiant in 2024 indicates that insurance premiums cost Rwf180,000 for a motorcycle that is not more than five years old, and Rwf230,000 for above 5 years.
