Covered By Comprehensive Insurance? (Unlisted Driver with an International Drivers Licence)

Poor Ass on 17/07/2020 - 09:36
Last edited 18/07/2020 - 08:27 by 1 other user

Ozbargainers opinions please / people who work for insurance companies

A car which is comprehensively insured was driven by someone with an international drivers licence and they crashed it into a non moving object. Unlisted drivers are covered under the policy including people with international drivers licence. They have many years of driving experience and incident to be deemed an accident.

The issue is, most states in Australia require a person to apply for a state drivers licence after x amount of months of receiving permanent residency and they are well beyond the x amount of months of receiving their permanent residency.

If they didn't have permanent residency, they will definitely be covered under insurance for the incident like people holidaying in Australia.

Will insurance companies deny the claim as they have not obtained a state drivers licence?

Thank you

Poll Options expired

  • 54
    Yes
  • 6
    No
Automotive

Comments

  • dust on 17/07/2020 - 09:41
    +9

    Why don't you ask the insurance company?

  • PissLUR on 17/07/2020 - 09:43

    No. They won't go into that level of details.

    • MS Paint on 17/07/2020 - 10:39
      +2

      Yes they will. You would be surprised how deep they will dive to deny a claim.

      Q5 of online incident claim [insert drivers license number]

      • bdl on 17/07/2020 - 11:03

        Answer: N/A

  • Randxyz123 on 17/07/2020 - 09:45
    +1

    I’d be careful here. They could easily not be covered if the insurer asks questions.

    You now have to get a state issued drivers license even if you are on a temp visa. The only exception to this is if the person who crashed the car got their PR in say Dec 2019. With COVID there has been a hold put on testing and licensing.

    How much is the damage? Can they just pay for the repair rather than go through insurance?

  • MynyMouqe on 17/07/2020 - 09:47
    +19

    I like the part where you say "they" as if it's not yourself that you're talking about!

    • Poor Ass on 17/07/2020 - 10:35
      -1

      that's very hurtful to hear after someone writes off your car

      • MS Paint on 17/07/2020 - 10:39
        +16

        /microscopic violin

      • bdl on 17/07/2020 - 11:02
        +4

        Maybe don't let people that are unlisted on your policy drive your car into non moving objects, then. :)

        • jackspratt on 18/07/2020 - 14:24

          Did you read the OP?

          Unlisted drivers are covered under the policy including people with international drivers licence.

  • mbck on 17/07/2020 - 09:50

    Sounds like you have the answer already

  • pharkurnell on 17/07/2020 - 09:55
    +1

    Neighbors insurance company have asked for a print out of his driving record going back a few yrs - his accident was 4 mths ago.. They really dont want to pay I dont think.

    So they can play hardball if they want to in any situation.

  • errorius on 17/07/2020 - 10:05
    +20

    If driver didn't get Australian license after 3 months of becoming a resident that means legally he was unlicensed at the time of the accident.

  • pegaxs on 17/07/2020 - 10:35
    +2

    "X" months after getting permanent residency? I think you will find that they are supposed to transfer their license a lot sooner than that. My wifes PR took 5 years to process and she had her license transferred about 2 months after arriving in Australia.

    Not sure what state you are in, but I think if you plan on staying in most states on a permanent basis, it's only something like 60~90 days before you must convert your license.

  • [Deactivated] on 17/07/2020 - 10:39
    +1

    Driver sounds like a total idiot and will get whats coming, but the idiot sounds like his got plenty of cash

    • jackspratt on 18/07/2020 - 14:26

      Astonishing interpretation of the OP.

  • MS Paint on 17/07/2020 - 10:43

    incident to be deemed an accident.

    Deemed by whom?

    • bdl on 17/07/2020 - 11:01
      +1

      non moving object

    • HelpMeiCantSee on 18/07/2020 - 11:56

      As deemed by the high yield investment car of course.

  • Bonbi on 17/07/2020 - 10:45
    -3

    If the police weren't involved why not just say the policy owner was driving?

    • pegaxs on 17/07/2020 - 11:23
      +8

      Because that is fraud… And then the police might want to get involved…

    • TilacVIP on 18/07/2020 - 09:00

      You never know where there is a camera fixed to a pole or someone who may have recorded the incident. Not a good idea.

  • Seraphin7 on 17/07/2020 - 11:11
    +4

    The real question is why you would allow someone who is at least "at risk" with respect to their licence arrangements and your policy to drive your vehicle in the first place?

    • Poor Ass on 17/07/2020 - 11:36
      -7

      found out after

      • bdl on 17/07/2020 - 11:47
        +3

        You snooze, you lose, car gets bruised

        • MS Paint on 17/07/2020 - 12:02
          +1

          Your only mode of transport is now your shoes

          • Nugs on 17/07/2020 - 12:04
            +1

            @MS Paint: even though he didn't choose

            • MS Paint on 17/07/2020 - 12:11
              +1

              @Nugs: So I posted on ozbargain for legal views

      • TilacVIP on 18/07/2020 - 09:01

        Then you will be racking this up to a learning experience via your wallet.

        • bdl on 18/07/2020 - 10:19

          To rhyme with the above you did not choose

  • godofpizza on 17/07/2020 - 12:09
    +2

    read the fine detail of your PDS to check your coverage.
    or this post should be renamed unlicensed driver covered by insurance?

    • Poor Ass on 17/07/2020 - 13:42
      -2

      Stuff this detailed won't be in there

      • MS Paint on 17/07/2020 - 13:46
        +3

        Bullshite. Mine does.

        Driving unlicensed
        If, at the time of an incident, the driver of
        your vehicle or a substitute vehicle:
        did not hold a licence, or
        was a cancelled, suspended or
        disqualified driver, or
        was a learner driver not accompanied
        by a licensed driver who holds the class
        of licence required by the learner's
        permit, or
        did not hold the appropriate class of
        licence for the vehicle
        we will refuse any claim

        • Poor Ass on 17/07/2020 - 13:48

          Ya that's general coverage def

          I was saying it won't be specific if international licence holders that have permanent residency been here more than xx are not covered

        • Poor Ass on 17/07/2020 - 13:49

          Technically they do have a licence

          • MS Paint on 17/07/2020 - 13:52

            @Poor Ass:

            did not hold the appropriate class

            International vs state issued?

            Just make a claim and the insurance company will probably seek your friend for payment of damages.

            unless:
            you were not the driver and you can satisfy
            us you had no reason to suspect that any
            of these matters applied to the driver.
            Even if we agree to pay your claim for loss
            or damage to your vehicle, the driver will
            have no liability cover and we may seek
            recovery of an amount from this driver.

            • Poor Ass on 17/07/2020 - 13:58

              @MS Paint: When then there is no point lodging a claim if I could settle it privately

            • Poor Ass on 17/07/2020 - 14:01

              @MS Paint: I guess free legal right? lol

          • Amaris on 17/07/2020 - 14:30

            @Poor Ass: Technially, they don't.
            They don't have an Australian licence as they're not allowed to drive on the international licence.

          • lolz112 on 17/07/2020 - 14:46
            +3

            @Poor Ass: I don't you understand the word technically. Technically, there is a rule that let's you drive with an overseas licence. That rule is pretty black and white, for example Victoria is:

            Can I drive with my overseas licence?
            Yes, you can drive using a valid overseas licence when you first arrive in Victoria. If you are planning to stay for more than 6 months, you will need to convert your overseas licence to a Victorian licence. To check how long you have to convert to a Victorian licence, enter your details in the form on this page.

            If you do not meet the conditions of that rule, then 'technically' you are not allowed to drive on that licence. So your friend 'technically' did not have a valid licence. Just because people flout it doesn't mean that 'technically' he is allowed. It's pretty much the same as saying, I was driving one day past my rego expiry but since I paid for the previous year 'technically' my rego is still valid… It doesn't really make sense when you put it that way does it?

            • Poor Ass on 18/07/2020 - 00:15

              @lolz112: Your expired rego example is pretty bad but I get your point

          • bdl on 18/07/2020 - 10:20

            @Poor Ass: Technically they crashed your car without a licence

  • Hardlyworkin on 17/07/2020 - 12:49
    +2

    What did the non moving object get in the way?

  • brad1-8tsi on 17/07/2020 - 14:44

    I think you should make the claim and just say that the driver was a visiting tourist rather than admit they had been recently granted residency. I'm sure there was nothing in the permanent residency process that said they had to abide by the laws of the land.

    Alternatively, get someone else like yourself to say they were driving.

    • Poor Ass on 17/07/2020 - 15:02

      you reckon insurer has power to see what visa they are on or search immigration?

      • brad1-8tsi on 17/07/2020 - 15:11
        +9

        My sarcasm obviously doesn't come across very well in writing.

        Your friend has broken the law by driving unlicenced because they are too lazy (or incompetent) to get a local licence. They thought they could get away with it and now the birds have come home to roost.

        Don't be stereotypical immigrants and try and pull a dodgy. It gives all the honest immigrants (which are most of them) a bad name and Pauline Hansen's rednecks more ammunition .
        Tell your mate to pay for the repairs and start abiding by the rules. Treat it as an expensive lesson in laziness and hubris.

        • Poor Ass on 17/07/2020 - 16:31

          I took your sarcasm advice and claim was approved thank you

          • lolz112 on 17/07/2020 - 20:00

            @Poor Ass: Admitting to committing insurance fraud on a forum. Bold move. I hope your next post isn't "Help, I'm in jail for insurance fraud but technically I don't deserve to be. Advice?"

            • Poor Ass on 17/07/2020 - 21:23

              @lolz112: How is it fraud when I told everything truthfully? They actually accepted the international drivers licence for the person who had permanent residency.

              • godofpizza on 17/07/2020 - 21:28

                @Poor Ass: If the cops pulled the driver over for a license check. Are they going to get a ticket?

  • ol mate on 17/07/2020 - 18:24
    +1

    If the insurer is Budget Direct, good luck.

    Otherwise, you might have a chance.

    • Poor Ass on 17/07/2020 - 21:27

      Not with them fortunately

  • godofpizza on 17/07/2020 - 21:30

    sounds like the OP is loaning out cars for Ubers to raise some cash. It's not bad until the driver has a accident and you find that your not covered by insurance.

    • Poor Ass on 17/07/2020 - 21:32
      +1

      That's creative of you. But no I'm not affiliated in ride sharing.

  • Mark1159 on 18/07/2020 - 08:49

    Had girlfriend one time - possessed* her Indonesian Driver Licence.
    Guess that easily translates to International Driver Licence.

    Now Pakistan discloses one third of their Commercial Pilots are not qualified/falsified documents/had someone else sit a test/bribed official.

    How can we ever be safe from people in these 3rd world places?

    *girlfriend cannot drive

    • brad1-8tsi on 18/07/2020 - 12:37

      "Emerging Nations" Get that PC hat on.

    • nawapb on 19/07/2020 - 06:33

      Possessed by what? Evil?

  • HelpMeiCantSee on 18/07/2020 - 11:53

    Hm. Maybe a lesson here in doing the right thing? The cheaper option of not getting a local licence has wound up more expensive. How unsurprising.

    Why is it so hard for people just to do the right thing?

    • Poor Ass on 18/07/2020 - 12:31

      Be a man. Do the right thing.

    • Poor Ass on 18/07/2020 - 12:32
      -2

      Sounds like an excuse but the truth is they just didn't know

  • reactor-au on 18/07/2020 - 16:00

    After so many years is the international driver's licence not expired in source country?

    Lucky they didn't crash into someone else, or injure somebody because according to Australia law the person is an unlicensed driver in Australia.

    • Poor Ass on 18/07/2020 - 16:16
      -1

      There's really no such thing as an international drivers licence and if so is a certified temporary permit. It's more of an overseas licence which most countries accommodate when visiting.

      Permanent residence still retains their citizenship else where so yes I assume they renew the licence there.

      Yes lucky nobody was injured. I think they learned their lesson

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