Vehicle Maintenance and Insurance Claims: Why Oil Checks Matter
- May 20, 2022
- 1 min read
Vehicle maintenance can become a central issue in an insurance claim.
What happened?
The Ombudsman for Short-Term Insurance considered whether lack of coolant and oil, which allegedly caused a vehicle fire, fell under an exclusion in the owner’s policy.
The driver noticed a warning light, pulled over and saw smoke and a small fire coming from the bonnet. A claim was submitted to the insurer.
The insurer’s response
The insurer appointed a loss adjuster and relied on the condition of the vehicle and the policy wording when assessing the claim.
Practical point
Policyholders should maintain their vehicles and respond immediately to warning lights. Maintenance records can become important evidence if a claim is later disputed.