AUTO-INSURANCE pay-outs in Panama jumped $20.8 million (18.9 percent) in the first nine months of the year.

Claims of $130.8 million  for traffic accidents were paid between January and September, reports the Insurance Superintendency

Some  612,688 vehicles are insured, 73,825 more than in 2015.

Insurance  companies have sold policies totaling $190 million an increase of $10.8 million (5.8 percent)  compared to the first nine months of last year.