The development and evaluation of a training programme to ensure effective motor vehicle accident and claims administration in the South African National Defence Force

Abstract

A preliminary investigation into motor vehicle accident and claims administration found that financial losses were incured due to ineffective motor vehicle accident administration in the South African National Defence Force (SANDF). The reasons attributed for this occurrence were either incorrect or late financial reporting of motor vehicle accident and claim amounts, or incorrect claim totals or financial losses (interest), or prescription of the case (where investigation documents had been outstanding for more than three years), after which no recuperation or claim could be completed. This indicated a need to develop a training programme, so as to reduce the unnecessary losses that the SANDF is currently experiencing in terms of motor vehicle accident administration. A training programme was developed to improve the knowledge and practical competence of military employees regarding motor vehicle accident and claims administration. This programme was based on the theory of outcomes-based education. The training programme was presented to a sample of 101 military employees located at 10 military units in two provinces in South Africa. The training programme was presented at the 10 mililtary units over a period of two days, and it included pre- and post-programme measurements. The data obtained in the pre- and post-programme measurements with regard to motor vehicle accident and claims administration was analysed using a paired t-test. The findings of the study show that military employees’ knowledge and practical competence scores improved significantly between the pre- and the post-programme measures. The developed training programme can therefore be implemented with confidence in the SANDF, so as to improve military employees’ knowledge and practical competence regarding motor vehicle accident and claims administration.