Dear Mabs
I came across an article about a guy who rolled his car and wrote it off. According to the story, his insurance blamed him for fitting stretched tyres that made his car unroadworthy before the accident, and they refused to pay him out. He went as far as taking his insurer to the short-insurance ombudsman, and they also sided with the insurer. This story had me really worried.
I bought a modified sports car two years ago. It has after-market fitted rims, boot and roof spoilers, and some engine sound enhancement. Even with these, I did not have any problems getting insurance. If I were to get into an accident, similar to the guy in the story, would my insurance provider turn on me and refuse to pay? How is it that they don’t ask questions beforehand and in your hour of need, they flip the script on you?
Mabs:
I know exactly the story you are referring to and the ruling got many motorists ruffled, especially as we are entering the silly season that results in many road accidents, and fatalities.
Insurance companies cover themselves very well using the T&Cs. Sadly most people do not take the time to go through these and get a full grasp of the conditions of their cover. Unfortunately, just like the Datsun owner found out the hard way, it is your responsibility to ensure that your asset is adequately covered. I bet you somewhere in that small print it was made very clear.
In your case, when aftermarket parts and enhancements do not interfere with the ‘factory settings’ of a car it should not be a problem. However, these need to be declared in advance and the owner should be honest. I suggest you dig out your contract and carefully read through it so that you are sure. Better still, reach out to your insurer and share your concerns with them. Should there be any changes, ask that they send you the updated contract in writing, and ensure that it reflects the updates.
For your overall benefit, this is what I know for sure about short-term insurance coverage. They have a long list of misdemeanours that can affect your claim.
Driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI) is a no-no, and it’s likely that your claim will be denied.
If the driver involved in the accident does not have a valid driver’s license or was driving a vehicle without permission, the insurance company might refuse to honour your claim.
In cases where they can prove negligent or reckless driving, such as excessive speeding or participating in illegal street racing, your claim may be denied.
If you have been using your vehicle for illegal activities, such as smuggling or engaging in any criminal activities, the insurance company may refuse to pay out the claim.
If you provided false information during the insurance application process or intentionally misrepresented details related to the accident, the insurer may deny the claim.
Some insurance policies have specific exclusions that may prevent coverage in certain situations, such as using the vehicle for commercial purposes when only personal use is covered.
Once again, I cannot stress enough how important it is to read and understand your insurance policy to know what is covered and what might cause a claim to be denied. When you have questions about a specific policy or claim, it does not hurt to contact your insurance provider for a more accurate take and comprehensive information. After all, you have a relationship with them and you are paying for the service, it is within your right to have access to information and not to wait till you are in trouble. All the very best.
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