Imagine this: you’ve had a fun night out with friends, had a few too many drinks, and decide to get behind the wheel anyway. Unfortunately, you make a mistake on the road and crash into a pole. The damage to your car is substantial, but the problem gets even bigger when you call your insurance company. What many people don’t realize is that driving under the influence of alcohol has far-reaching consequences, especially when it comes to your car insurance coverage.
No Coverage for damage under the influence
Car insurance policies often include exclusions for damage caused whileyou’re under the influence of alcohol or drugs. This means that if you cause anaccident while intoxicated, your insurer may refuse to cover the damage to yourown car. This applies even if you have comprehensive coverage, which usuallycovers damage to your vehicle. You’ll be left to bear the full cost of therepairs yourself, which can quickly amount to thousands of euros.
Legal consequences
In addition to having to pay for the damages yourself, there can also belegal consequences. Driving under the influence is illegal and can lead tofines, license suspensions, or even jail time, depending on the severity of thesituation. Furthermore, your insurance premiums may increase significantly, oryou might have difficulty getting insured in the future. Insurers track whethersomeone has been involved in an alcohol-related incident, which cansignificantly raise your risk profile.
What can you do?
The best way to avoid this scenario is simple: don’t drink if you planto drive. Plan ahead on how you’ll get home if you intend to drink. This couldinvolve taking a taxi, arranging for a designated driver, or using publictransportation. You can also arrange in advance with friends or family to pickyou up. The risks of driving under the influence are simply too great, both foryour own safety and for your financial well-being.
Conclusion
It might be tempting to get behind the wheel after a few drinks, but theconsequences can be disastrous. Not only do you risk causing an accident, butyour insurance might not cover the damage you cause. This can be a costlylesson, both financially and legally. So think twice before grabbing your keysafter a night out, and always make sure you have a safe way to get home.
In the Netherlands, every car owner is required by law to have at least third-party liability insurance. But why is this type of insurance mandatory? This blog explains the importance of third-party liability insurance and how it protects both drivers and society.
