Insurance in Togo

The Caisse Nationale de Sécurité Sociale (CNSS) manages the general social-insurance regime. Its branches cover family and maternity benefits, old-age, invalidity and survivors' pensions, and work injuries and occupational diseases. Employers contribute 17.50% of covered pay and employees 4%, for a combined rate of 21.50%. Self-employed workers pay 21.50%, while workers in the informal economy pay 19.50%. Registration produces an insurance number and card, and employers or insured workers must report the relevant information and pay contributions on time. CNSS voluntary insurance covers old-age pensions only. Access generally requires at least six months of previous compulsory insurance, loss of employee status, residence in Togo and an application within 12 months after employment ends. The age limit is 55 for public-sector workers and 60 for private-sector workers. Contributions are paid monthly, and the voluntary cover is suspended when the person starts new employment. AMU provides statutory health coverage through several arrangements. AMU-INAM includes RAMO for state, local-government and public-institution employees, public-law entities, office holders, and civil and military pensioners. Its active contribution is 10% of salary, split equally between employer and worker; pensioners pay 5% of their monthly pension. Coverage can include the insured person, a spouse and up to four children. Children normally remain covered until age 21, or until age 26 when they study or undertake an apprenticeship. A three-month waiting period applies, unpaid contributions can suspend benefits, and additional dependants require an additional contribution. RAM covers Togolese nationals in settings such as orphanages, charitable care institutions, prisons and psychiatric hospitals. AMU TNS is the CNSS scheme for traders, artisans, farmers and other self-employed or informal workers. Contributions start at FCFA 10,000 per month, with payment options of FCFA 28,500 for three months, FCFA 54,000 for six months or FCFA 102,000 for twelve months. A 90-day waiting period applies. The scheme uses a nationwide network, offers a family option and does not refund contributions when the member does not use medical services. Private insurance is supervised by the Direction Nationale des Assurances (DNA) under the Ministry of Economy and Finance, while CIMA and CRCA apply and oversee the regional insurance framework. Insurers, agents and brokers distribute policies from companies and branches authorised under that framework. Products may cover health, personal accidents, life, fire, property, liability and microinsurance. The policy sets the premium, insured risks, limits, deductible, exclusions and claim procedure; no single general private-insurance tariff applies to every product. Motor third-party liability insurance, commonly called Assurance RC automobile, is compulsory for natural and legal persons other than the State whenever liability may arise from a vehicle or motorcycle. The cover protects the owner, driver, passengers and third parties according to the applicable rules. The vehicle must carry the insurance certificate and detachable certificate. Insurers may set prices within the applicable framework, but the price cannot fall below the state CIMA minimum tariff; traffic area, vehicle type and use, and driver profile can affect the premium. A private policy generally begins only after the premium has been paid. Non-payment can lead to automatic termination. A payment deferral of up to 60 days is available only for certain large risks and does not cover motor insurance, health insurance or transported goods. A policyholder should report a claim promptly to the insurer or intermediary named in the policy. Late notification does not automatically remove the right to claim unless the insurer proves resulting harm or force majeure applies. For motor bodily-injury claims, the insurer must generally make an offer within 12 months of the accident. The agreed amount becomes payable one month after the period set by Article 235, with late interest of 5% per month. If no settlement is reached, court proceedings follow the period under Article 231. Contractual claims generally expire after two years, while claims for death under life or personal-accident insurance in favour of beneficiaries expire after ten years. Cancellation follows the policy and CIMA rules. After a claim, an insurer may cancel within three months after learning of it, with one month's notice. After receiving that notice, the insured may cancel other policies with the same insurer within one month. Any change or disappearance of the insured risk should be reported because it can affect the cover, premium or continuation of the contract.