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A state-owned insurance company has said that increases in the number of transport-related accidents had seen insurance payouts rise by one third, with the largest amount of compensation going to victims of motorcycle accidents.

Diding Sudirdja Anwar, chairman of PT Jasa Raharja, said that the insurance company had paid out Rp 1.3 trillion ($138 million) in compensation to victims of sea, air and land transport accidents so far this year.

“That’s up from last year’s Rp 1 trillion,” he said, adding that the payouts were up because there were more accidents this year compared to 2008.

Although he declined to give details, Diding said that the victims of motorcycle accidents received largest amount of compensation. Other land-based accidents were the next biggest followed by those related to sea and air transport accidents.

Motorcycle use continues to grow in Indonesia, especially in big cities like Jakarta, as it is seen as one of the cheapest and fastest ways to get around. Owning a motorcycle is now within reach of most citizens because of easy credit arrangements. A down payment of as little as Rp 200,000 is all that is needed and the rest is paid in installments.

Earlier this year, the government tried to make motorcycle riding safer by implementing new regulations. Motorcycle riders can now be fined when carrying more than one passenger.

Suripno, director of road safety at the Transportation Ministry, said that there was now a dedicated lane for motorcyclists, where hopefully they would ride more carefully and avoid collision with bigger vehicles.

“We’re working in the field with the police to monitor these rules,” he said.

Diding said that starting in 2012, Jasa Raharja would increase compensation to victims of accidents. However, the exact amount is still under discussion with the Ministry of Finance.

However, Diding said, regulators and operators in the mass transport industry should be aware this means Jasa Raharja would take an increased share of ticket fares.

About Rp 60 from a public bus fare goes towards insurance while ship passengers pay Rp 1,000 and air travelers Rp 5,000 per ticket.

Currently, the family of an individual killed in a land accident gets paid Rp 25 million in compensation while those who die at sea get Rp 35 million with air crash victims getting Rp 50 million.

Joko Setijowarno from the Indonesian Transportation Society said that bike accidents were becoming a huge issue and that the police should clamp down on those who flout the law.

“The police need to be strict in applying road regulations,” he said.