Driver knowledge or institutional barriers? investigating factors associated with motor insurance claims in Accra, Ghana

In many African countries, including Ghana, increased mobility is often associated with higher rates of road crashes and injuries. To mitigate the financial burden and create safer road conditions, governments worldwide have implemented insurance regulations alongside existing interventions such as road infrastructure improvements. However, despite the requirement for valid insurance to drive in Ghana, the proportion of crash-involved drivers who file insurance claims remains low. This study examines the factors influencing crash-involved drivers’ likelihood of making an insurance claim, based on data collected from 427 respondents along major travel routes in Accra. Data were collected by five research assistants using an online survey administered via KoboToolbox. Respondents were reached via a spot-sampling approach, with each questionnaire taking approximately 25 min to complete. Both descriptive (frequencies and percentages) and inferential (binary logistic regression) statistical methods were employed to analyse the data, and all ethical considerations were strictly observed. Logistic regression shows that minor crashes [AOR = 0.5; 95% CI] and a lack of awareness of legal requirements [AOR = 0.7; 95% CI] significantly reduce the likelihood of drivers filing insurance claims. Additionally, higher educational attainment [AOR = 0.3; 95% CI] and mutual agreements to settle post-crash damages [AOR = 0.1; 95% CI] further reduce the likelihood of reporting accidents to insurance companies. These insights have important practical and policy implications, particularly for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of Ghana’s motor insurance claims process. The study recommends streamlining the claims process and reducing the time between claim submission and payout to encourage more drivers to utilise their insurance benefits.