Sri Lanka plans to digitise all vehicle insurance-related documents under the ongoing digital insurance card initiative, General Insurance Forum of the Insurance Association of Sri Lanka Chairperson Dinusha Thilanka said.

He made the remarks at a media briefing held yesterday (25) at the Department of Government Information to raise awareness on the digital insurance card system. Thilanka said physical insurance cards issued for vehicles would be discontinued in the future, with insurance companies moving to digital cards instead.

Motorists will be able to access their digital insurance cards through mobile phones, web platforms, or QR codes. The validity of a digital insurance card can be checked through the 1338 hotline, which will operate 24 hours a day throughout the year.

The verification service will be available through USSD, SMS, and Interactive Voice Response. Users can dial *1338# and follow the menu to verify insurance details using a vehicle number or policy number. They can also send the vehicle number or policy number by SMS to 1338.

Under the IVR system, users can call 1338 and connect directly with the relevant insurance company’s call centre after selecting the insurer through the automated menu. Thilanka said confirmation of valid insurance coverage would be sent to the user’s mobile phone within seconds.