Presidential precandidate Juan Carlos Pinzón proposed eliminating the mandatory traffic accident insurance, known as SOAT, for motorcycles in Colombia [1].

This proposal targets a significant portion of the country's commuting population by attempting to lower the financial burden of vehicle ownership. If implemented, the shift would move the responsibility of accident coverage from individual private payments to a centralized government system.

The plan specifically applies to motorcycles with an engine displacement of less than 250 cc [1]. Under this model, the state would replace the current insurance requirement with a medical protection scheme to ensure that riders receive necessary care following accidents [1, 2].

Pinzón said the goal is to reduce costs for motorcyclists while maintaining a guarantee of medical attention. This initiative aligns with broader campaign objectives focused on affordable mobility, and environmental protection [1, 2].

The current SOAT system requires all vehicle owners to pay for a policy that covers medical expenses for victims of traffic accidents. By removing this requirement for smaller motorcycles, the proposal seeks to incentivize legal registration and reduce the number of uninsured riders on the road.

Reports indicate that the proposal has sparked a wider debate regarding the future of mandatory insurance in Colombia [2]. Critics and supporters are weighing the trade-off between immediate cost savings for citizens and the potential fiscal impact on the state's healthcare budget.

Pinzón said the move is intended to ensure that medical care is a guaranteed right rather than a product of a paid insurance policy [1].

“Eliminar el cobro del SOAT para motocicletas and replace it with a state scheme.”

This proposal represents a shift toward socialized risk management in Colombia's transport sector. By removing the SOAT requirement for low-displacement motorcycles, the government would assume the financial liability for accidents, potentially increasing the burden on public health funds while increasing the number of legally compliant vehicles on the road.