{
  "id": 19136305,
  "title": "As little as 6% of RAF spend goes to medical care",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/09/as-little-as-6-of-raf-spend-goes-to-medical-care-19136305",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-09T09:58:58.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Citizen",
    "slug": "the-citizen",
    "url": "https://www.citizen.co.za/business/as-little-as-6-of-raf-spend-goes-to-medical-care/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A recent study examining compensation methods for road accident injuries has revealed that only 6% of the Road Accident Fund (RAF) payouts go towards medical care. Dr Gregory Whittaker, an author of the study conducted by Algorithm Consultants & Actuaries, stated that this low allocation could result in higher overall costs. The RAF, funded through a fuel levy, has been facing significant financial difficulties with total net liabilities reaching R439.5 billion. The study explored three systems: RAF, compulsory third-party insurance, and the Road Accident Benefit Scheme (RABS). Over the past five years, RAF claims have decreased by 82%, while fuel levy income has not kept up with the increasing costs of accidents. Whittaker attributed the rising costs to factors within the RAF's control, such as an increase in loss-of-income claims, awards based on potential earnings rather than actual, and weaker claim defenses.",
  "summary": "With 53% allocated to loss-of-income claims",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Moneyweb",
        "title": "As little as 6% of RAF spend goes to medical care",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/09/as-little-as-6-of-raf-spend-goes-to-medical-care",
        "published": "2026-11-09T02:03:24.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}