FACTORS INFLUENCING THE CHOICE OF THIRD PARTY LIABILITY MOTOR INSURANCE AMONG ACADEMIC STAFF IN LAGOS STATE, NIGERIA.

Abstract

The coverage of the Third Party Liability (TPL) motor insurance is limited when compared with the third party liability, fire & theft and comprehensive coverage. Notwithstanding this limitation, vehicle owners seem to still prefer the third party liability motor insurance policy. This study seeks to identify the major factors responsible for this sentiment. 300 academic staff across five tertiary institutions in Lagos were engaged in this study. Data were gathered with the use of structured questionnaire, 146 copies of the questionnaires were duly completed and found useful for the study. The data were analysed by conducting factor analysis and testing three hypotheses using correlation analysis with the aid of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), version 20. The study found significant positive relationship existing between family size, price of insurance, number of vehicles owned and marital status and the choice of TPL motor insurance policy among academic staff of higher institutions in Lagos State. The findings of the study reflected that TPL motor insurance is preferred because it is cheap and its purchase will not mainly hinder the attainment of the needs of any family members. It is recommended that safety of life and properties other than price of motor insurance should be considered when making motor insurance policy choice and that there is need to review the law of motor insurance with the aim of expanding the mandatory minimum coverage to cater for the life and properties of the insured.