FLEACT Yokosuka ‘Are you Insured’ campaign begins

Photo By Gregory Mitchell | Ayako Stolt, office manager, Gordes and Company, Inc., insurance agency (standing), and Yutaro Kuramoto, insurance agent, review liability insurance policies for service members and their families at Fleet Activities, Yokosuka, April 2.  

YOKOSUKA, KANAGAWA, JAPAN

04.03.2013

Courtesy Story

Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka

YOKOSUKA, Japan – Fleet Activities (FLEACT), Yokosuka Security reported a recent trend of traffic accidents involving Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) members with expired, liability insurance.

Driving in Japan is a privilege afforded to all SOFA – sponsored sailors, family members, Department of Defense (DOD) employees and contractors living in the 7th Fleet area of responsibility. It’s important for all SOFA-sponsored personnel to maintain the upkeep of all of their automobiles documentation.

“There have been several incidents in recent months involving uninsured SOFA members,” said Master-at-Arms 1st Class Sean Williamson, FLEACT Yokosuka, traffic court leading petty officer. “SOFA members have paid out several thousands of dollars, and in some instances, tens of thousands of dollars, for these traffic accidents because they were uninsured. Furthermore, personal claims in these situations are high since the victims can seek damages for many reasons, including lost wages, medical expenses, and property damage.”

Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka instruction 5800.2 G (Article 16, paragraph 5 (b) (5)), states that all SOFA members are required to carry liability insurance. Members also need to be aware that the insurance remains valid only for one year from the date of purchase.

According to Japanese law, all registered vehicles must be covered by Compulsory Automobile Liability Insurance. This compulsory insurance is very similar in concept to that mandated in other countries, and it is designed primarily to protect third parties from injury by any vehicle in an accident.

Although compulsory insurance is effective, it is by no means adequate in providing coverage for the insured, property damage to third parties and it does not cover any repair or replacement for damage to the vehicle itself. In Japan, compulsory insurance covers basic third-party costs approximately $30,000 per person for bodily injury only. In an extreme example, the SOFA member received a bill in excess of $1.5 million yen.

Japanese law also states that all persons who drive in Japan are held liable in the event of an accident, and assesses fault in an accident on all parties. The police may determine, for example, that a given accident was 80 percent the fault of Driver A, and 20 percent the fault of Driver B. Fines, penalties and the like would then be split in the same way, i.e., 80-20.

“In general, the system is different from stateside services,” said Ayako Stolt, office manager, Gordes and Company, Inc., an insurance agency which is responsible for handling and distribution of American International Underwriter (AIU) and American Casualty Excess (ACE) insurance products. With that, it should be emphasized that there is a culture difference in dealing with policies. SOFA members need to understand that it is a privilege to be able to own and maintain a vehicle in this country.”

Driving in a foreign country alone should encourage all SOFA sponsored personnel to do what is necessary to stay clear of confrontation with local authorities.

“Driving around in Japan without insurance to me is like Russian roulette,” said Doris Sandberg, a SOFA-sponsored dependant. “I always ask myself, what happens if I am hit while driving to, say Yokota Air Base. It is a distance from here in Yokosuka; and let’s say that I am driving with my kids and my husband is on deployment. I know that I can call [FLEACT] security but, even still - I would probably freak out. I don’t speak Japanese; yeah, I could see that as an uncomfortable situation to be in.”
While AIU sends notices approximately a month prior to expirations, there are some people who have failed to ensure that their policies are up to par.

Whether they are aware of it or not, many SOFA sponsored members continue to drive well after their insurance has expired.

“A simple thing that drivers can do to make sure that their insurance is up to par is just routinely check the dates on their paperwork,” said Stolt. “It’s road tax season, and it is natural for us here in the office to be concerned that people take care of this as soon as possible. Not procrastinating and waiting till the last minute to handle these issues is the best way to avoid potential late fees as well as putting your self at safety risk.”

Penalties can be severe for those people who choose not to abide by FLEACT, Yokosuka policies.

“SOFA members can also look forward to coming to traffic court on base where the traffic court judge can revoke the driving privileges for up to 12 months for operating a motor vehicle with expired registration requirements; for example, Drivers license, insurance, inspections and registrations when involved in a traffic accident,” added Williamson.

Safety first is emphasized when driving in Japan and the first order of business is to have an insurance policy that is up to date and available to distil a stormy day.

“It comes down to the responsibility of the service member and their spouses to check on their stuff,” said Williamson. “The FLEACT instruction is in place mainly for the protection and in the interest of all SOFA sponsored personnel. It should not be viewed as a hindrance.”

• Date Taken: 04.03.2013
• Date Posted: 04.12.2013 01:29
• Story ID: 105067
• Location: YOKOSUKA, KANAGAWA, JP