Drunken Driving

Will This Be Covered in Your Car Insurance?

Drunk drivers causing accidents have increased day in and day out. Whether they do it during festive season, public holidays or any other day, it is just increasing day by day. Many are unaware that most of the car insurance companies do not cover accident compensation in a state of inebriation (drunken state). Just imagine how heavy it can be on your pocket to get your car repaired from your own money despite of diligently paying your car insurance premiums on time. In addition to this, the legal consequences you need to face, the penalty you need to pay and the imprisonment of 6 months to 1 year...

Young drivers are completely ignorant about this. They are under the assumption that if they do some harm to another person while speeding away in their vehicle in a drunken state, their auto insurance company will pay them. Little do they know it will cost them their life!

Compensation will be paid to you on these grounds:

• Firstly, you must have a valid driving licence.

• Secondly, you must not have driven under the influence of drug or alcohol

• Thirdly, it should be proved that you have done the mistake and only then the company will pay a compensation to the injury caused by you. An injured person cannot claim anything from the company, if he himself is at fault and not the car driver.

Do not do this mistake and have a criminal record in your name. It is in your hands to prevent it. If you really had to drink in a party just to be a part of the social gathering and give company to your friends, make it a point you don't drive. Ask your friend or your spouse who has not gulped down a peg to drive you home, take a drop in your friend's vehicle or go by a cab. Not only your insurance but also Road Accident Fund can refuse to pay out claims resulting from a drunken driving accident. Companies can even refuse to continue your insurance cover as they look at you as a high risk case and you are more prone to such accidents and health hazards too (due to alcohol consumption).

A high risk driver may end up paying a higher insurance premium if the company gets to know about his drunken driving and its impact on others. You may lose out on your driver's license too thus withdrawing all your chances of applying for an insurance else where.