Kumasi, Jan 23, GNA - The KEK Insurance Brokers Limited in Kumasi paid more than one billion cedis insurance claims to 212 out of its 250 clients in 2006.

About 85 per cent of the claims were injury-related made up of industrial and motor accidents.

Mr Charles Bennin, the Kumasi Area Representative of the company made this known in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Kumasi on Monday.

He stressed the need for employees of corporate organisations in the region, especially timber firms to desist from the practice of making what is popularly referred to as 93overtime" as a regular activity since it is linked to over-tiredness as well as lack of concentration and could result in serious injuries for machine operators and other technicians.

Mr Bennin said some drivers are also often guilty of the practice as they refuse to take enough rest when the situation demanded, culminating in dosing off behind the steering wheel and resulting in accidents.

He revealed that the public is increasingly becoming conscious of their insurance rights and attributed this to the upsurge of insurance related programmes in most radio stations in the region.

Mr Bennin urged media houses to regularly partner with insurance professionals and practitioners to educate the public on various insurance policies to enable them know and understand their insurance needs, benefits and rights.

He advised the general public to cultivate the habit of always taking the pain to find out what benefits are covered under any insurance product that they purchase.

Mr Bennin also called on the public to engage the services of insurance brokers on all issues pertaining to their insurance since brokers seek their client's interest and always do not directly charge them for their services. 23 Jan 07